IT said something of the character of the Old Alexandra team that just two days after they suffered the dejection of an Irish Senior Cup semi-final defeat they summoned up enough spirit to resume their league challenge with a 2-0 victory away to Glenanne.

That win on Monday night moved Simon Filgas' team to within a point of Muckross and Loreto at the top of the table and makes for the most exciting and closely fought league battle in years.

Now Old Alexandra are preparing for what could be the most crucial weekend of their league campaign with two matches in 24 hours, against bottom-of-the-table Clontarf tomorrow and defending champions Muckross on Sunday afternoon, their fourth match in seven days.

Trish Conway, Alexandra's leading scorer this season, is reluctant to look ahead to the Muckross clash, insisting that slip-ups against lowly opponents in previous seasons have cost her team dear.

"We've dropped stupid points in the past when we lost concentration, so we know if we go out against Clontarf with our minds on the Muckross match we could drop points again."

While acknowledging the strength of the Muckross team, Conway's team-mate Deirdre Deasy is hopeful of repeating last season's feat when Alexandra were the only team to beat the champions in the league.

"They look fairly invincible and have such a brilliant forward line but we certainly wouldn't be afraid of them. I think we're a better team now than when we drew with them in the league in October but really it all boils down to who takes their chances."

Muckross must play Pembroke Wanderers, whom they have already beaten comfortably twice this season, at Serpentine Avenue tomorrow before they can turn their thoughts to Sunday's big meeting. Meanwhile, Loreto, the third of the title-chasing trio, take on Railway Union at Belfield; victory there and a 0-0 draw between their league rivals on Sunday - would make for a most satisfactory weekend for Noel Keogh's charges.

The art of goalscoring will be up for discussion at 7.0 in the Mount Herbert Hotel this evening, with speakers including Trevor Watkins, Jonathan Cole, Jenny Burke, Jacqui Potter and former goalkeeper David Judge, who will talk about the late Derek Hennessy, one of the greatest goalscorers of any era. Players and coaches are welcome to attend the discussion, jointly run by the men's and women's Leinster Hockey Coaching Associations.