Men's HockeyThe Men's Senior Interprovincial Championship has almost self imploded. The likelihood now is that the competition will not take place this month following a dispute between the provinces and the governing body, the Irish Hockey Association (IHA).
The IHA changed the structure of the competition without consulting either Munster or Leinster and presented them with the new format, in which they were asked to play two games in one day, as a fait accomplis.
Munster voted not to take part in the tournament under the new format as did Leinster. However, Leinster in recent days changed their unanimous decision not to play and, following a phone around, decided that they would take part.
The fact that a unanimous decision taken at an official meeting can be changed by a ring-a-round has itself caused anger among some Leinster members.
Munster held a meeting last Monday night to again discuss the issue, but held firm on their original position.
Munster's position came in the wake of a letter from IHA president John Smyth, which almost ensures that the competition will not now go ahead.
"I am disappointed to hear of your decision towards the Men's Interpros in November.
"The format was proposed by the Competitions Committee and accepted by the Management Committee and accepted by the Council. Clearly, the Tournament will be played as defined or will have to be cancelled," the letter stated.
The final line that the "tournament will be played as defined or will have to be cancelled" suggests that if Munster do not take part in it under the new format then it will not go ahead at all. That could mean the end of the interprovincial series, particularly if the IHA sanction Munster.
To exacerbate the situation, Leinster did not make any serious plans to recruit a new team manager or coach. The pitches and sessions for the squad meetings were also scrapped. If the competition were to go ahead on November 26th, Leinster would have only three weeks to have everything in place, again seriously undermining the value of the competition.
What will happen now is anyone's guess. There is now friction within the Leinster Branch, between the branches and between the IHA and their branches. The ultimate loser is the interprovincial series, whether it limps along or not.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Irish Senior Cup First Round: Saturday - Bandon v Naas, Bandon Grammar 2.0; Portadown v St Brendans/Phoenix Park, Edenvilla 1.00; North Down v Queens University, Comber 2.30; Mossley v Newry, The Glade 2.30; Weston v Kilkeel, Kings Hospital 2.30.
Leinster Senior League: Saturday - Division One: Dublin University v Monkstown 2.0; Trinity College; Clontarf v Railway Union 12.30; Mount Temple School, Malahide Road; Three Rock Rovers v YMCA 3.0; Grange Road; Pembroke Wanderers v Corinthians 3.0; Serpentine Ave; Glenanne v Aer Lingus 2.0; Glenanne Park. Division Two: Portrane v Avoca 1.0; College of Surgeons; UCD v Bray 2.45.
Belfield Munster Senior League: Sunday - Division One: UCC A v Catholic Institute A, Mardyke, 2.30; Harlequins 1st v Church of Ireland A, Harlequins, 1.0; Harlequins 2nd v Waterford A, Harlequins, 2.30.
Neville Cup quarter-final: Sunday: Bray v Monkstown, Bray, 1.15, Bray; Pembroke Wanderers v Three Rock, 3.0, Serpentine Ave. Wednesday: Aer Lingus v Corinthians, AALSA, 7.0. Thursday: UCD v Weston, Belfield, 7.0.
