Formidable Lisnagarvey to test Cork C of I’s mettle

Cork C of I's mettle as potential national champions will get its biggest test to date in the men's EY Hockey League tomorrow when they host Lisnagarvey.

Player-coach David Hobbs has masterminded three wins from three to see them head the pack at this early juncture.

It is a side built around his experience along with Philip Smith and John Jermyn allied to exciting young charges like Richard Sweetnam, Simon Wolfe and Phil Brownlow.

'Garvey will prove a different challenge to Annadale, Glenanne and Cookstown, with their own range of international players. Indeed, teenager Sean Murray recently made his Irish debut alongside more established stars like Timmy Cockram, Paul Gleghorne, Neal Glassey and Jonny Bell who is on the mend after a lengthy injury layoff.

Should they win, they will move level with the Cork side.

Three Rock Rovers host Monkstown, meanwhile, in a repeat of what has been one of the marquee fixtures over the past three seasons. Town, however, will be much clearer favourites this time even without Peter Caruth in their line-up. Rovers saw a large turnover in players over the summer, including Mitch Darling moving to top Dutch club Rotterdam and Jonny Bruton to Saturday’s opponents .

Glenanne host Annadale will both still looking for their first league win.