It's going to be upsetting for several of the island's leading sides to be eliminated from the Irish Senior Cup as early as the £300 question.
In the third-round ties tomorrow, holders Pembroke Wanderers must get over a testing hurdle away to Corinthians, while last season's beaten finalists Lisnagarvey will be vulnerable to Annadale's challenge at Blaris. And disappointingly for Munster aficionados, either Harlequins or C of I (semi-finalists last March) will be out of the reckoning after the Cork derby at Farmer's Cross.
This family affair promises to be the most passionate game of the day, involving virtually all of the province's top players and international figures. The midfield exchanges will be particularly intense as Jason Black, Nigel Buttimer and Alastair Dunne attempt to establish an edge against the resistance led by Mark Black for Harlequins, who are pleased to have Wesley Bateman back in goal and may well have the sharpest striker in David Eakins.
When Dunne was absent three years ago, it was Harlequins who snatched the verdict in a quarter-final tie but a recent Peard Cup joust produced a 1-0 win for C of I. The greater significance of tomorrow's clash should yield a richer crop of goals, possibly in the visitors' favour if their set pieces are ultra effective.
In Dublin, the focus will be on Whitechurch Park. Here, Pembroke emerged with no more than a 2-1 league defeat of Corinthians whose five Australians, animated by Colin Stewart, will now have established a smoother rhythm.
"It's an international really," said Pembroke coach Simon Filgas yesterday, reporting an injury-free squad, with Duncan McKeen ready to resume at the back. If Ireland strikers Justin Sherriff and Gordon Elliott are allowed to cut loose, cup medals will be kept from Wallaby hands.
Lisnagarvey - in a transition year - can possibly survive Annadale's visit if senior figures such as Julian Stevenson and Daniel Clarke are fully operational, for total motivation will be needed to eclipse David Smyth and Chris Jackson, among others, in Ulster's freshest and most ambitious team.
Instonians, welcoming Three Rock Rovers to Belfast, have also lost power and could be surprised by the youthful Dublin team. The RUC, having needed much extra time to edge out Suttonians in the second round, are unlikely to make further progress against Paul Hollway's adopted YMCA - unless the first-division side travel as badly as they did to Naas in the Leinster Senior Cup.
Among other ties, Monkstown, hosts to Cliftonville, are now sufficiently accomplished to advance.
Paul O'Reilly, a stalwart of Leinster hockey, recently celebrated his 90th birthday. To mark the occasion, Corinthians - of whom he was a founder member in 1934 - will make a presentation to him at tomorrow's cup match.
