HOCKEY: Two Ulster teams, one from Munster and one from Leinster remain. A national feel to the semi-final stage of the Irish Senior Cup will pose serious questions for Dublin side Glenanne, who travel north for the second successive weekend, this time to face Lisnagarvey. Cork Harlequins make the long trip to the fishing village of Kilkeel for what must be one of the Ulster team's biggest games in recent years.
Glenanne's task is mountainous but far from unachievable. The Tallaght team have had some important wins over the Hillsborough side in recent years. Two years ago they beat Lisnagarvey 3-1 in Dublin before going down 2-0 in Blaris in the National Club Championships, while in 2000, Glenanne defeated Lisnagarvey 2-1 to win that same competition. That result is not forgotten easily.
With international midfielder, Stephen Butler, on top of his game and having scored a wonderful goal last week, not from a corner as reported but from the Annadale half way line, as well as Ian Clark and Joe Brennan in form, Glenanne travel confident of having the game to secure a place in the final.
But Lisnagarvey have some dominant figures. Ex-international Ivan Steen is strong up front and scored last weekend, while Timmy Cockram, Mark Raphael, Brian Waring and Mark Robinson, have all the credentials to make a mark on the game. Robinson and Raphael in midfield will naturally see Butler's controlling presence in the middle of the park as one of the principal things to stamp out. Butler's short corner routine is healthy too, although, last week Annadale did not conceded one set piece.
Cork Harlequins should harbour some anxiety in a trip to the Mourne area. Kilkeel look at their home ground as a fortress, something backed up by facts.
Their enterprising coach, Gordon Cracknell, the Ulster under-18 coach, has led the team to an enviable unbeaten run of 24 matches at home.
They also have a partisan crowd that knows how to shout. Young fit and athletic, Kilkeel already have the scalp of neighbours Banbridge, who they beat last week. That would have been a significant point in the team's evolution. No doubt Harlequins with their array of international talent arrive as favourites and with a better group of players, but Kilkeel's momentum in what is a golden run in this year's competition, will ensure this game is not available for easy pickings by the Cork side.
Elsewhere Railway Union will be representing Ireland at the European Indoor Club Champions Challenge in Gothenburg this coming weekend. Railway will be competing against the national champions of Belgium, Finland, Sweden and Wales.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Irish Senior Cup - Semi-finals: Kilkeel v Cork Harlequins, Kilkeel HS, 2.30; Lisnagarvey v Glenanne, Hillsborough, 2.30. Leinster Senior League - Division Two: Kilkenny v Clontarf, Kilkenny, 2.0; Suttonians v Naas Sutton, 12.0; Skerries v UCD, Skerries, 1.30; Bray v Portrane/St Brendan's/Phoenix Park, Loreto Bray, 1.0. Munster: Charity Cup - Bandon A v Catholic Institute A, Bandon, 3.00.
