MENS'S HOCKEY/Weekend Preview: If there were seedings for tomorrow's last-32 stage of the Irish Senior Cup, the current ratings of the top eight teams might be: (1) Glenanne; (2) Cork C of I; (3) Pembroke Wanderers; (4) Instonians; (5) Lisnagarvey; (6) Cork Harlequins; (7) Corinthians; (8) Annadale.
It will be a surprise if these sides fall at their first hurdle. Holders Glenanne will be too battle-hardened for NICS at Stormont while although Pembroke Wanderers, the all-Ireland league champions, also travel to Belfast, they must be too accomplished for Mossley at The Glade. Neil Cooke will ensure the resistance is obdurate but with Justin Sherriff back in service, Pembroke's attacking surges are bound to yield a winning margin.
As regards Lisnagarvey and Harlequins, they would be wise not to under-estimate the liveliness of their visitors, Aer Lingus and Dublin University, respectively.
Even if Lisnagarvey will feel confident with Julian Stevenson and Daniel Clarke back in action, they face a tenacious defence and a side with a flair for the counter-thrust, spearheaded by Adrian Sweeney. Trinity have nothing to lose in Cork and, with their considerable goal-poaching ability, could give Harlequins some anxiety.
Cork C of I should sail through against Catholic Institute in Limerick, while Instonians and Annadale will be expected to score handsomely in their excursions to UCD and Clontarf.
In the only all-local tie in Dublin, Corinthians may need some time to force YMCA's surrender at Ballinteer. Indeed, it should be remembered YM went all the way to last season's final.
Banbridge, still worthy of a top-10 rating, have an undemanding trip to tackle Belvedere at Ballincollig while Monkstown, playing their first game at St Andrew's, will be too sharp for UCC. Avoca and equally troubled Newry may be evenly matched at Rathdown but Three Rock Rovers should defeat Bangor at Grange Road.
Leinster side Railway Union can register a win at Portadown while Kilkeel (hosts to North Down), Queen's University (away to Antrim) and first-division stalwarts Cookstown (at home to Raphoe) are expected to be among Ulster's survivors.
IRISH SENIOR CUP - Third round: Monkstown v UCC, St Andrew's College, 1.0 (R Neville/D McNally); Cork Harlequins v Dublin University, Farmers Cross, 2.0 (S King/P Murphy); Mossley v Pembroke Wanderers, The Glade, 2.30 (A Carson/R Ewart); Cookstown v Raphoe, Coolnafranky, 2.30 (C Hutchinson/D Stewart); Catholic Institute v Cork C of I, Moylish, 2.0 (C Tipping/J Girdham); UCD v Instonians, Belfield, 2.0 (C Deane/P Griffin); Lisnagarvey v Aer Lingus, Blaris, 2.30 (W McCully/R McIntyre); Kilkeel v North Down, Kilkeel High School, 2.30 (R McMinn/G Maguire); Portadown v Railway Union, Eden Villa, 2.30 (N McAlister/R Burton); Antrim v Queen's University, Antrim Forum, 2.30 (R Peacock/E McFerran); Belvedere v Banbridge, Ballincollig, 2.0 (G Quail/O de Vito); Clontarf v Annadale, DCU, 2.30 (M Canniffe/B George); NICS v Glenanne, Stormont, 1.0 (C McConkey/C Porter); YMCA v Corinthians, Wesley College, 2.0 (G Burns/I Conning); Avoca v Newry, Rathdown, 2.15 (G Johnston/A Groves); Three Rock Rovers v Bangor, Grange Road, 3.0 (R Houlihan/G Conn).
Fourth-round draw in Cork, January 26th.
