A variety of permutations in tomorrow's second legs of the quarter-finals gives plenty of interest as to which teams will emerge for the last-four stage of the all-Ireland championship. Title holders Glenanne have a particularly testing assignment, as they carry a 3-2 deficit into their tie against Annadale at Lough Moss.

Annadale, indeed, will be strengthened by the return of Canadian midfielder Dave Yule, who missed last week's trip to Dublin. Furthermore, the centre-backs, David Smyth and Gareth Kidd, took a lot of breaking down, so it will require the utmost effort by Stephen Butler, Graham Shaw and John Goulding to force Glenanne back into the reckoning.

But it would not be beyond the bounds of possibility of extra time being needed - as was the case last year - to separate these well-matched sides. Cork Harlequins, roused by Paul Lombard and Dave Eakins to gain a 3-2 lead going into their home game against Corinthians, look determined enough to stay in front, assuming they make a more alert start and continue to keep a close watch on Colin Stewart.

Cork C of I take a 4-2 margin to Blaris, where Lisnagarvey, who snatched a late second goal at Garryduff, may feel capable of making up the difference. But the Ulster kingpins will be vulnerable to counterattacks launched, say, by Karl Burns - and Ali Dunne has become pretty lethal again from short corners. Only Pembroke Wanderers look odds-on to advance as they welcome Cookstown to Serpentine Avenue with a 4-2 cushion from their visit to Tyrone. Consequently, it should be a relaxed, open game as the Leinster champions, with Ronan Gormley settling into senior fare, explore their options for the finals at Belfield next week.