MEN'S HOCKEY:IT'S A curious thing indeed that UCD sit comfortably in the middle of the Leinster League table having played no competitive matches so far. The students are, however, set for a baptism of fire, so to speak, but are currently seventh above Clontarf, Fingal and Railway Union by virtue of having played no games and therefore conceding no goals.

They open with matches on Saturday against Monkstown at home and YMCA away on Sunday. Monkstown dropped their first points to Pembroke last week with YMCA having a mixed bag, winning and drawing in their first two outings.

UCD will also be aware the stronger section of the league will be hoping to sharpen their game with the prospect of the Irish Senior Cup (ISC) next week and the first round of the Irish Hockey League (IHL) the week after.

Railway Union will also be looking for some form against Corinthians. Following an encouraging season in 2010-11 the Sandymount side have slipped in their first two games and hope Saturday will change their path before the visit of South Antrim next week.

Glenanne against Pembroke is the big game of the weekend on Saturday with Pembroke’s Alan Giles, a few days ago, stepping down from international duty. The 30-year-old made his debut against France over two years ago and won another 26 caps. While he will continue to play club hockey, Giles will miss Ireland’s tough challenge over the next six months on the path towards the Olympic Games. The team must win a tournament early next year for entry to London 2012.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday– Leinster Senior League, Division One: Pembroke v Glenanne, Serpentine Avenue 2.0; Railway Union v Corinthians, Park Avenue 2.45; TRR v Fingal, Grange Road 1.0; UCD v Monkstown, UCD 1.0; YMCA v Clontarf, Alexandra College 4.0. Division two: Avoca v Rathgar, Newpark 2.0; Mullingar v Portrane, Tullamore 1.30; Suttonians v Trinity, Sutton Park School 1.0.

Sunday– Leinster Senior League, Division One: YMCA v UCD, Alexandra College 3.30.