South Park to host derby as West meet Hibs in Cup

By Mike Rafferty

When the local season was declared null and void back in June by the Galway FA due to the Covid-19 crisis, it was thought that that was the end of football for the current campaign.

However, the earlier-than-expected return to action now allows for the Connacht Junior Cup to be reactivated and on Sunday at 11am in South Park, two great city rivals go head-to-head with a place in the last eight of the competition at stake.

It is almost a year since the sides last met, when a midweek contest in the first week of the season saw West United emerge 6-2 winners over Hibernians with Ronan Caldwell and Gary Matthews both scoring twice for the visitors in Bohermore.

That outcome set a trend as West United went on to win their next three games as they contended at the top of the table, until they suffered their first league loss against Athenry. In contrast, Hibernians struggled throughout the campaign as they lost their four opening games, before they picked up a first point of the campaign – ironically also against Athenry – courtesy of a Keelan Grainger goal.

Following the long unofficial off-season, both clubs returned to training some weeks ago and West United manager Rodney Grant is looking for some “normality” to return and is delighted to have his side back on the pitch once again.

They have prepared diligently and on Tuesday night played their fourth friendly in preparation for the big game.

In the last round they defeated Ballyheane 8-1 with Caldwell, Jay McPhilben and McEntee amongst the goals. On the same day that West were winning comfortably, Hibernians also saw off Mayo opposition, as aided by a Lee Keogh hat-trick they were 4-2 away winners over Claremorris.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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