Bray, a club founded only seven years ago, make their debut against Suttonians in the Irish Senior Cup at Sutton Park tomorrow when the eight first-round ties are confined to second-division sides. The weeding-out process, which is now the norm, continues on November 18th (when the winners of the Sutton tie will be away to the RUC or Queen's University) and eight surviving teams will take their chances with the first-division entrants in the third round on December 2nd.
Having won five of their league games since their promotion this season, Bray are hopeful of making an advance in the blue riband competition. Captained by goalkeeper Douglas Keeley, they have an eager finisher in Grattan Evans with Simon Anglin the main man in midfield. Sweeper Fred O'Toole does not underestimate Suttonians' liveliness on one of the country's most scenic pitches, but the southsiders look more ambitious.
Among the other pairings, Naas - fielding the former Pembroke Wanderers captain Peter Young - will give Clontarf a good game at Glasnevin.
Meanwhile, having had their spirits dampened by Glenanne in the Stephen Doyle Trophy final on Monday, Pembroke (the Irish Senior Cup holders) will be keen to resume their prolific flow in the Leinster League when they welcome Trinity to Serpentine Avenue tomorrow.
It was encouraging for the students to hold Monkstown to a 2-2 draw last Saturday, when Michael Harte switched effectively from midfield to sweeper, but there can be little hope of containing a Pembroke side which has averaged four goals per game.
If Glenanne perform as unflinchingly as they did in depriving Pembroke of the season's first trophy, they will take the points from Monkstown at Rathdown tomorrow and start moving up the table. Naturally they will be aiming for a top four finish so as to defend their all-Ireland title.
How long Three Rock Rovers can hold onto second place is a challenge that Aidan Kidney will relish but he could find his young team yielding to Avoca's latent capabalities at Grange Road.
Corinthians, more cosmopolitan than ever, seem sharp enough to beat Railway Union at Park Avenue. YMCA and Aer Lingus appear evenly matched at Ballinteer, though Michael Fry could gave the home side the edge if not closely marked.
