MEN'S HOCKEY: The concession by one of Glenanne's most respected senior citizens that "the glory days are over" may well mean conversely that Annadale's ambitions are at last coming to fruition. This will be revealed to a significant degree in tomorrow's Irish Senior Cup quarter-final at Lough Moss.
Annadale, though yet to win the country's most prized trophy, hold the remarkable record of being unbeaten in 43 Ulster league games over the last three years and they remain in peak form in topping the table in the current campaign.
In contrast, Glenanne have started to become vulnerable in Leinster circles but it is only in the past few weeks that they have lost ground.
They should not be under-estimated tomorrow if predatory striker John Goulding has shaken off his hamstring injury and David Shaw has recovered from a damaged knee to resume action in midfield. He probably will be in direct opposition to his Belfast-based brother, Graham (a member of Glenanne's triumphant team in 2001).
Overall, Annadale will be expected to be the sharper side, particularly through the resourceful fire of Chris Jackson and the striking prowess of the three Ians - Lewers, McKeown and Hamilton. This trio may be too agile for the Glenanne back four.
It is going to be very difficult also for Dublin's other surviving team, YMCA, to stave off defeat in taking on the holders, Instonians - though in their previous visit to Ulster, carefree YM made a rousing recovery to eliminate Bangor 4-3 in extra time. Now, however, one cannot see Paddy Brown or Neil Cooke making many concessions in an Instonians side which retains cup-fighting qualities, spearheaded by Mark Irwin. Nevertheless, they should be wary of menacing approaches by Neil Lyons and Will Powderly and the finishing ability of Andrew Walker.
In the powerful all-Ulster clash at Havelock Park, home advantage and top-class goalkeeping by Gareth Lennox may keep Banbridge in contention against Lisnagarvey. But the Lisburn team seem as richly equipped as ever, not least with Mark Tumilty ready to come off the bench and Errol Lutton indulging in front-line activity.
There remains the tie involving the two sides of lesser renown with Kilkeel travelling buoyantly to Bandon as a result of their recovery from 4-1 down to edge out Monkstown 5-4. No doubt, the nimble Mourne men (who are set for promotion in Ulster) have dreams of a semi-final berth, yet Bandon's youthful brigade are emerging as a force in Munster and there would be much celebration in west Cork if they were to prevail.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup (quarter-finals): Instonians v YMCA, QUB, Upper Malone, 1.0; (R McMinn, R Johnston); Annadale v Glenanne, Lough Moss, 2.30 (G Quail, C Porter); Banbridge v Lisnagarvey, Havelock Park, 2.30 (W McCully, R Ewart); Bandon v Kilkeel, Bandon GS, 2.0 (G Caulwell, K McGinley). Leinster Senior League: Division One: Three Rock Rovers v Corinthians, Grange Road, 3.30; Division Two: Avoca v Bray, Newpark, 12.0; St Brendan's-Phoenix Park v Portrane, DCU, 1.0.
