Men's Hockey: Although missing the encouragement of Billy Carpenter, there is a huge desire by Cork Harlequins to do what Glenanne achieved two seasons ago. That is to carry off the Irish Senior Cup for the first time, a year after winning the All-Ireland Championship.
Tomorrow, Harlequins face a most formidable fourth-round hurdle in travelling to tackle an equally ambitious side, Annadale, the Ulster league leaders, who lost only by 1-0 to the Munster champions on their way to success in last May's play-offs.
It is reckoned that both teams are just as strong as last season and that Harlequins may even hold an extra edge with Colm Brady's arrival to slot into midfield in front of the captain, Jason Black, making the left side particularly effective.
Furthermore, with David Eakins straining at the leash after little action on Munster turf, David Smyth and his Annadale cohorts must brace themselves for searing attacks. The fact, though, that Annadale gained a 2-0 league win over Lisnagarvey last weekend shows their capabilities, with Chris Jackson being a major source of danger to Harlequins' hopes.
In the other high voltage tie of the day, the holders, Instonians, may be too streetwise, even at Grange Road, for Three Rock Rovers. Under the tutelage of Bert Vreehan, Rovers have developed into a highly promising team, as is demonstrated by their Leinster championship lead and capture of the Neville Cup but Alan Bothwell will have a demanding task in organising the defence to cope with the striking power of Mark Irwin and Chris Barnes.
Another attractive game in Dublin involves the visit of Cork C of I to Ballinteer where YMCA may be in the mood to challenge the Munstermen robustly. Ultimately, the issue could come down to whether John Jermyn of C of I or Andrew Walker of YM can elude their markers. Pembroke Wanderers, with home advantage against Bangor, should continue to revive their season by reaching the quarter-finals. They will need to be totally alert, however, with an example set, say, by Colin Kelly, to keep in check a side which has been scoring freely in Ulster circles.
Corinthians, now really steaming in Leinster competition, as shown by a 6-1 defeat of YMCA in midweek, will be expected to come away from Newry with an assertive victory while in the only tie involving two clubs from the same province, Lisnagarvey may be eager enough to keep Cookstown at bay.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup (fourth round) - YMCA v Cork Church of Ireland, Wesley College , 2.0 (D Stewart, C Porter); Three Rock Rovers v Instonians, Grange Road, 1.30 (G Quail, G Caulwell); Banbridge v Dublin University, Havelock Park, 2.30 (C. McConkey, R. Ewart); UCC v Glenanne, Mardyke , 2.0 M Canniffe, I Conning); Lisnagarvey v Cookstown, Blaris, 2.30 (T Goode, G Conn); Pembroke Wanderers v Bangor, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0; (G Burns. R McMinn); Annadale v Cork Harlequins, Lough Moss, 2.30 (R O'Connor, C Hutchinson); Newry v Corinthians, Newry, 2.30 (W McCully, E McFerran).
