Men's HockeyWhile the big wheels turn at international level, where the Irish men will soon be shaking hands with a new coach and the administrators similarly meeting a new chief executive, so too at club level moves are being made.
Aer Lingus are a case in point. A team which have threatened to break the monopoly at the top of the senior league now seem poised to make a more lasting impression in Leinster. Narrowly losing in the final of the Stephen Doyle Trophy (top four) last week to Three Rock Rovers, Aer Lingus would have left Serpentine Avenue with the distinct impression that they had done enough to win.
Still, they've been content with their form and now go into the games against Glenanne, Pembroke, Rovers and Corinthians on an equal footing. Last week Derek O'Gorman, following a similar path to Wexford's Martin Storey and Na Fianna's Dessie Farrell, finally put down his hurl and exchanged his Dicksboro shirt for an Aer Lingus one. That has strengthened the midfield.
And although Will Alymer left the tournament last weekend with a suspected broken ankle and will be out for some time, Aer Lingus recruited well over the summer, with Paddy Gahon and Ken Treacy joining.
More importantly, the Aer Lingus thrust has come largely from home-grown talent. About half of coach Gerry Wheeler's squad have come through the colts system and Aer Lingus now have a strong operating unit, with David Bane at the centre.
Currently averaging over three goals a game, the northside club face a dangerous Monkstown this weekend. The uneven displays of last year have been ironed out somewhat this season, but Monkstown will be expecting a tough game.
Elsewhere, a tasty match between Pembroke and Glenanne is worth a visit at St Mark's. Glenanne, of course, will be without international striker Graham Shaw this season. Back from Belgium Shaw is now playing for Annadale in Belfast, where he is studying.
FIXTURES
SATURDAY - Leinster Senior League - Division One: Aer Lingus v Monkstown 1.0 ALSAA ; Railway Union v Dublin University 1.15 Park Avenue; YMCA v Clontarf 12:15 Claremont Rd; Corinthians v Three Rock Rovers 12.30 Whitechurch Park; Glenanne v Pembroke Wanderers 2.0 Glenanne Park. Division Two: UCD v St Brendan's/PP tbc; Naas v Skerries 2.0 Naas; Bray v Avoca tbc; Weston v Suttonians 1.30 King's Hospital; Portrane v St James' Gate 12.45 RCSI.
Munster Senior League - Division One: Harlequins I v Belvedere A Farmer's Cross, 2.30; Catholic Institute A v Harlequins II in Rosbrien, 2.30.
