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I’ll go for the Vikings but without any real certainty!
 
If you had asked me before the Senior Cup semi-finals I would have just about chosen Goodwick United to receive the ‘Carne Curse’ but having seen Hakin demolish Johnston, followed by a 9-2 away success against West Dragons I feel The Vikings might just beat the current cup holders.
 
What I am pleased about is that Lady Luck has kept apart these top two teams in the county and on paper it should be a corker of a final since there are quality players aplenty in both camps.
 
They should attract a lively and partisan crowd and as usual I hope both sets of supporters will remember their duty to curb any bad language on a family day, and respect the three experienced officials who will do their best but can’t please everyone!
 
Leading the way in both camps are two sets of the most respected management teams as Nigel Delaney and Chris O’Sullivan have forged an excellent partnership at Goodwick, putting their huge experience to good effect as they remain unbeaten in the league.
 
For The Vikings, Gary Dawes and Malcolm Jones have a pedigree of success, with a bonus in the fact that they have been joined as coach by Andrew Postlethwaite, another former top player.
 
There is all-round talent in both camps and in James Gwilt (Goodwick) and James Manson (Hakin) they have terrific shot stoppers between the sticks, as proved in the epic West Wales Cup tie between the two teams, where it took 24 penalties before Goodwick edged through!
 
It is very difficult to differentiate between the rival defences because Goodwick have the likes of Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney and Steff Hayes at the back, whilst Hakin play with three central defenders in Ewan Findlay, Daniel Armstrong and Matthew Broome, which might put them under pressure, especially in the aerial battle.
 
But it allows them to play five in midfield as Steve Mathias, Jonty Bennett, Mark Jones, Ben Steele and especially James Stanmore pose a threat that will have to be nullified by the work rate of Chris O’Sullivan, Adam Raymond, Johnny Horgan and Kieran O’Brien, if Goodwick are to put a check on the scoring exploits of Ashley Bevan and Nicky Woodrow, who has scored ten goals in three recent outings, including a hat-trick for the county and four goals in the semi-final!
 
Goodwick also have terrific goal power through Rhys Dalling and Rob Morgan but can they match Woodrow and co? All will be revealed on the wide open spaces at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium!
 
Both teams will have strong benches when tired legs but once again I feel that The Vikings have a marginal advantage here and I think they might ease home by a single goal in a high-scoring contest.
 
But I am quite ready to churn out my “I was wrong again’ message on Saturday evening – and have a few texts from Nigel Delaney and Chris O’Sullivan if the Phoenix Park Boys do overcome The Vikings!

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