MEN'S HOCKEY: IT'S ANOTHER weekend of Irish Senior Cup as the two matches that were postponed up North last weekend have been refixed for tomorrow. Mossley host Annadale, and Instonians take on Banbridge, for the final two places in the quarter-final stage.
Instonians’ grounds at Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, will also be the venue for the quarter-final draw in which Dublin side Glenanne have put down a marker having knocked out favourites Pembroke.
In the Leinster Senior League there is only one match on because of the indoor finals at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, tomorrow and Sunday. It’s an important match for both sides, with Corinthian seeking to extend their lead at the top of the table as opponents UCD look for anything that can keep them away from the relegation zone. Corinthians are hot favourites to put four points between themselves and the chasing Pembroke.
UCD have lost narrowly in their last two matches, against YMCA and Pembroke, but have been showing signs of improvement.
The indoor tournament kicks off tomorrow with the semi-finals and finals on Sunday afternoon and evening. The eight clubs have been broken into two groups of four with Railway, Pembroke, Glenanne and Clontarf in Group One, and Avoca, Three Rock Rovers, Monkstown and YMCA in Group Two. It’s an early start with Railway and Pembroke tipping off at 8.30am.
National coach Paul Revington this week announced a squad of 24 players, with seven others on a peripheral squad. According to Revington it represents a squad ranking system but with the intention of keeping the squad competitive. It is a slow enough summer internationally with just some Test matches and the Celtic Cup as focus points but with the European Championships next summer and possible Olympic Qualification events looming, the lead-in to 2012 will hopefully be busier than ever.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday
Irish Senior Cup, second round: Mossley v Annadale, The Glade, 1pm; Instonians v Banbridge, Shaw's Bridge, 1pm. Leinster Senior League – Division One: Corinthians v UCD, Whitechurch Park, TBC. Munster Senior League: Bandon A v C of I B, Bandon, noon; UCC A v Harlequins B, Farmers Cross, 2.30; C of I A v Catholic Institute A, Garryduff, 3pm. National Indoor Trophy(begins 8.30am at National Basketball Arena, Tallaght)
Sunday
National Indoor Trophy(National Basketball Arena, Tallaght): Semi-finals 2.30pm; Finals 7.30pm.
