CRESCENT'S LEONARD FORDE LOOKS AHEAD TO SUNDAY'S CORINTHIANS FINAL v BLACKPOOL CELTIC, TURNER'S CROSS, 7.00PM KICK OFF

Crescent Athletic fc are facing their first final in 17 years since their 2-1 defeat to Bandon in the 1992 AOH cup final.Formed in 1982 the club feel a cup triumph is long overdue.Having lost the President's,St.Michael's,AOH and City cup finals in the past the club feel their time has arrived.

Taking nothing for granted they face a young and excellent Shaun Murray Blackpool Celtic side.The club had Murray's side watched in the semi-final against Greenmount Rangers and felt they fully deserved their 3-2 victory.

It's been a long season for the club returning to training last July the club were drilled by George Cummins and Leonard Forde who took control of the training sessions.The start of the season did not begin as the club expected flirting with relegation for the first months of the season.The club felt there luck was out,with everything that could go wrong going wrong.Not getting the bounce of the ball or silly individual errors costing the club badly in the first few months.

The club brought in a large number of new players at the start of the season and are now reaping the rewards from their young energetic signings.The club is blessed with terrific pace and a hunger to achieve and the bottom line of it is the players and management long for success.

Foundations for the change in fortunes in the club were laid down by former club secretary Paudie O Flynn,his determination to change the inner structure of the club from training,equipment,facilities and attitude is a credit to him and his efforts will forever appreciated by the club.

The team is managed by John O Donovan and Niall O Regan the duo feel this is the best squad of players the club has assembled in a while and they have what every manager wants competition for places.

The club has no Suspension worries going into the final.They boast a clean bill of health with the welcome return of veteran William Wyse who suffered a double break to his leg and Tony O Mahony who dislocated his shoulder their return to fitness is a welcomed boost to the club.The club signed a lot of new players in the summer and like anything else it took players time to bed in and the club is now seeing the fruits of the new signings.

Current form has been excellent with 12 wins from 13 games and just 1 defeat since January,the current form is nothing short of perfect.The defence has tightened up and the goals are been spread about amongst the team.Two main reasons for the up turn in form were the two transfer window signings the signing of experienced Tony Dunlea from Blackstone Rovers he has been a major asset in his ability to support the midfield and in his reading of the game.

Young American Casey Dineen who at 21 yrs old emphasises the new Crescent young,quick and strong.Casey is following in his father Danny uncles Neilus,Joe,Dommie and Martin Dineen footsteps in carrying on the family long association with the club.Sunday's Final will be his last appearance for the team and he will be hoping it's a winning one.

The team is backboned by the experienced Eoin Twomey(captain),Adrian O Connell,Leonard Forde,David Constant and Eric Murphy who all giving nearly a decade service to the club.With the team average age at 25 the future looks bright for the club.Casey's partnership in the middle of the park with powerhouse Adrian O Connell is one of the underlining reasons for the team journey to the final.

In Eoin Twomey and David Constant the club boast two of the best players in the aul.The team is flanked by Rowan Meegan and Tim Twomey,Meegan pace and skill is a constant threat to any defence and in Tim the club feel it has unearthed a gem,from never playing with a team before,the lad just gets better and better with each game.

The neverending running of front pair Eric Murphy and Jason O Sullivan will ensure the Blackpool defence will have to be on toes to keep them at bay.The club also recognises the commintment of likes of Liam Murphy who travels from Tipperary to play and Anthony O Regan who is there hail,rain or snow are the foundations on which the club prides itself on.

The club is lucky to have two top class keepers in Ian Irwin and Michael O Sullivan both in their first year with the club.The likes of Fred Morris,Steve Sheehan,Ian O Connell,Tony O Mahony and William Wyse are more than capable of being match winners on the night.

The club would like to thank APOC Builders owned by former player Anthony O Connell and the Management of the Glenryan Tavern for their contuined support down through the years and the club hope it may contuine long into the future.The club would like to wish the management duo all the best on the night and to give a special thank you to Paudie O Flynn and Leonard Forde for all there neverending work for club.

Panel for the final,ian irwin,tony dunlea,david constant,liam murphy,eoin twomey(captain),rowan meegan,tim twomey,casey dineen,adrian o connell,eric murphy,jason o sullivan,mick o sullivan,leonard forde,fred morris,ian o connell,anthony o regan,willie wyse,tony o mahony.
(premlinary round) Crescent Athletic 3 Rathcoole Rovers 2 (aet) jason o sullivan,casey dineen,adrian o connell1st round Crescent Athletic 3 fc Banteer 0 jason o sullivan,tim twomey,david constant(pen)2nd round Crescent Athletic 3 Cathedral Celtic 0 fred morris,david constant(2 pens)3rd round Crescent Athletic 2 Glenthorn Celtic 1 Jason o sullivan,Eric murphySemi-final Crescent Athletic 2 Douglas hall 1 adrian o connell,tim twomey.