Glenanne have game plan to achieve final objective

MEN'S HOCKEY: After their experience of being plunged into the deep end of the European Club Championship A division in Bloemendaal last year, Glenanne should be capable of reaching the final of the depleted Cup Winners' Cup B division tournament in Gibraltar this weekend.

The Irish representatives will be wary, though, of the challenge posed by Hostivar of the Czech Republic today and by Lazio of Italy on Sunday. Indeed, without their international midfielder Stephen Butler because of examinations, Glenanne probably will need to apply themselves totally to these pool matches so as to emerge to play the powerful Spanish side, Atletic Terrassa, for the gold medals.

A win in the final would be beyond the capabilities of the Leinster champions but by getting to this stage, they would gain a berth in the A division next year for Pembroke Wanderers or Instonians.

Among other teams going abroad this weekend are Cork Harlequins, who are revisiting Cologne, while the Leinster under-16 cup winners, Three Rock Rovers, are competing in the Eindhoven international youth festival. Of the 1996 side which won this tournament, many are now leading lights in Dublin circles, not least Peter McConnell and Christian Judd.

At home, the gregarious Corinthians Easter Festival (called off last season because of the foot-and-mouth crisis) returns to full momentum with an entry of 47 teams, mostly from Britain but also from Germany, Holland, Gibraltar and the US.

Moving on towards the end of the season, the Leinster first-division relegation play-off between Avoca and Trinity will be staged at Serpentine Avenue tomorrow week. The losers drop to the second division while the winners will probably be safe, even if required to beat Naas to retain a place in the top 10.

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS' CUP (B division, Gibraltar) - Pool A: Atletic Terrassa (Spain) Arminen (Austria), Grammarians (Gibraltar); Pool B: Hostivar (Czech Republic), Lazio (Italy), Glenanne. Today: Glenanne v Hostivar, 2.0; Sunday: Glenanne v Lazio, 12.0; Monday: Play-offs.