MEN'S HOCKEY: IF Justin Sherriff and Gordon Elliott, along with Graham Shaw, produce the penetrative power this weekend that will be needed by Ireland during the summer, Leinster will retain the Interprovincial Championship laurels at Grange Road.
Munster, having drawn 1-1 with Ulster and beaten Leinster 2-1 in Cork, hold pole position after the first series of games. But Leinster defiantly made the best use of their depleted attacking resources to defeat Ulster, 3-2, at Blaris, to keep their defence of the title alive.
Restored to full strength and not under-estimating the finishing touches of John Goulding as well, Leinster must be expected to pound the opposition decisively. Munster, now without Alastair Dunne, will be hoping that David Eakins and David Hobbs can make some incisions while Ulster - missing Julian Stevenson and Daniel Clarke, among others - will rely on Mark Raphael to create opportunities for their new marksman, Chris Barnes.
Ulster can also count on a reputable defence (including three current Ireland players, Erroll Lutton. Paddy Brown and David Smyth), while Munster's midfield fire, generated by Jason Black, remains a considerable asset. Yet in this sector, too, Leinster field a most influential figure in Stephen Butler.
The Shamrocks development squad, who will keep the provinces on their toes with a number of interesting selections, notably exiles Johnny McMeekin and David Robb, as well as Ken Treacy and Rory Heaslip of Pembroke Wanderers and Cork C of I, respectively, who also have commitments in the Irish Junior Cup semi-finals tomorrow.
LEINSTER: N Henderson (Pembroke Wanderers) capt, I Clarke (Glenanne); F de Rosa (Pembroke), A Browne (Glenanne), B Groves (Monkstown), A Bothwell (Three Rock Rovers), P Carley (Pembroke), W Powderley (YMCA), S Butler (Glenanne), G Shaw (Glenanne), J Goulding (Glenanne), G Elliott (Pembroke), J Sherriff (Pembroke), D Bane (Aer Lingus), J Brennan (Glenanne), I Allen (Monkstown). Coaches: N Keogh, N Munir; manager: R Walsh.
MUNSTER: W Bateman (Cork Harlequins), M Ruddle (Cork C of I); J Black (Harlequins) capt, M Black (C of I), K Burns (C of I), A Chambers (C of I), D Eakins (Harlequins), E Gash (Harlequins), R Gash (Harlequins), D Hales (C of I), C Hanna (C of I), D Hobbs (C of I), J Hobbs (Harlequins), J Jermyn (C of I), P Lombard (Harlequins), M Pederson (Harlequins). Coach: S Jackson; manager: J Fletcher.
ULSTER: D Buchanan (Raphoe), K Lunn (Lisnagarvey); A Barbour (Cookstown); C Barnes (Instonians), P Bland (Annadale), P Brown (Instonians), C Clarke (Lisnagarvey), G Cuddy (Cookstown), M Irwin (Instonians), C Jackson (Annadale), E Lutton (Lisnagarvey) capt, J Quigley M Raphael (Lisnagarvey), D Smyth (Annadale), I Steen ry), P Sterling (Lisnagarvey). Coach: P McCabe; manager: M Graham.
SHAMROCKS: I Hosford (Bandon), G Keely (YMCA); A Giles (Pembroke), R Gormley (Pembroke), I Hamilton (Annadale), B Hayes-Curtin (Harlequins), R Heaslip (Cork C of I), P McConnell (Three Rock Rovers), P McLoughlin (Bandon), A Mills (Dundee Wanderers and /Banbridge), S Nicholson (Harlequins), D Robb (Hounslow and Annadale), S Tilson (UCD), K Treacy (Pembroke), M Harte (Trinity), J McMeekin (Glasgow Western). Coach: D Pritchard; manager: T Barry.
PROGRAMME: Tonight: Leinster v Shamrocks, 6.0; Munster v Ulster, 8.0; tomorrow: Leinster v Munster, 2.0; Shamrocks v Ulster, 3.0; Sunday: Munster v Shamrocks, 1.0; Leinster v Ulster, 3.0.
IRISH JUNIOR CUP - Semi-finals (tomorrow): Cork C of I II v Annadale II, 2.30; Lisnagarvey II v Pembroke II, 2.30.
