Sport

Fingal are up against it again

MEN'S HOCKEY: FINGAL FOUND out just how hard things are at the top last week when they visited Cork

Fri Oct 24 2008 - 01:00

MEN'S HOCKEY:FINGAL FOUND out just how hard things are at the top last week when they visited Cork. Going ahead in their first Irish League match before finally succumbing to Cork Harlequins by a 6-2 margin is the sort of squeeze they may well feel again this weekend when Pembroke arrive to Alsaa, writes Johnny Watterson

Returning to the Leinster Senior League after the high octane of last week, Pembroke make the cross-city trek hoping to take full points and for their leading rivals to slip up.

Ronan Gormley is again causing concern in Pembroke as he struggles with a leg injury. That will come into sharper focus next week, as the Ireland players will also be looking towards international matches against Argentina on October 29th and 30th.

Glenanne, Fingal and Three Rock Rovers are tied at the top of the table on seven points with only goal difference separating them. Pembroke look somewhat out of place sitting in fifth, but do so with a match in hand.

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Rovers, particularly, will be looking to keep the distance on top of the table when they take on Kilkenny at home, with internationals Mitch Darling, Phelie Maguire and Peter Blakeney all available. Rovers are also looking towards next weekend when they start the Euro Hockey League at Lille HC in France. They are pooled with KHC Leuven and Spanish side Atletic Terrassa.

Glenanne face the more daunting challenge to turnover Monkstown, while Railway Union will be keen to secure their first three points when they play sixth-placed Corinthians. Propping up the table are YMCA, who have no game this weekend because opponents UCD are involved in the intervarsities tournament.

In Ulster, Cookstown again taking centre stage with their visit to Banbridge. Both sides have schoolboys playing in this week's Irish Schools Championships in Limerick. Banbridge opened their league campaign with two draws and will be looking to hurt Cookstown's unblemished record.

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - Division One:Three Rock Rovers v Kilkenny, Grange Road, 2pm; Railway Union v Corinthians, Park Avenue, 1pm; Glenanne v Monkstown Glenanne Park, 1.30pm; Fingal v Pembroke Wanderers, Alsaa, 1.30pm; YMCA v UCD, postponed.