The absence of two of Ulster's leading attackers, Julian Stevenson and Mark Tumilty, because of hamstring troubles will come as some relief to Leinster as they resurface from their 2-1 defeat by Munster for the third game of the Interprovincial Championship at Blaris on Sunday (2.45).
Although held to a 1-1 draw by Munster in Dublin in the opening match, Ulster were the sharper side and indeed look capable of eventually taking the title when the championship is completed in February.
Leinster, however, may yet find their shape, even if they will still need to play to maximum effect on Sunday against a more accomplished team. In fact, the Ulster defence is strengthened by the return of Paddy Brown and, while the first-choice goalkeeper Kyle Thompson is unavailable, either Kyle Lunn or David Buchanan can be sure of first-class cover. Furthermore, both Jonathan Quigley and Chris Barnes, from Ireland under-21 ranks, will be lively newcomers in the attack.
Nevertheless, even if Leinster are at a semi-transitional stage, they are composed enough at the back, notably through Francis de Rosa, and sufficiently assertive in midfield to keep the match alive.
If the frontrunners, Graham Shaw, John Goulding and Ian Allen, find the afternoon less frustrating than they did in Cork, something may well be salvaged.
Des Buggy, who has died in Dublin aged 75, will be remembered with particular affection in St Andrew's College circles. It was he, as a breezy coach, who developed hockey there with great enthusiasm just over a decade ago and it was poignant in the year of his passing, that St Andrew's won the All-Ireland Schools Championship for the first time last month.
ULSTER; K Lunn (Lisnagarvey), D Buchanan (Raphoe); B Waring (Lisnagarvey), D Smyth (Annadale), E Lutton (Lisnagarvey), P Brown (Instonians), G Cuddy (Cookstown), C Clarke (Lisnagarvey), M Raphael (Lisnagarvey), L Tumilty (Lisnagarvey), C Jackson (Annadale), M Irwin (Instonians) , A Barbour (Cookstown), J Lewis (Instonians), C Barnes (Instonians), J Quigley (Annadale). Coach: P McCabe. Assistant coach: T Gregg; Manager: M Graham.
LEINSTER: N Henderson (Pembroke Wanderers), I Clarke (Glenanne); F de Rosa (Pembroke), A Bothwell (Three Rock Rovers), P Carley (Pembroke), B Groves (Monkstown), J Brennan (Glenanne), D Shaw (Glenanne), D Donnelly, W Powderly (YMCA), S Butler (Glenanne), A Browne (Glenanne), G Shaw (Glenanne), J Goulding (Glenanne), D Jenkins (Monkstown), I Allen (Monkstown). Coach: C Stewart. Assistant coach: N Keogh. Manager: R Walsh.
TOMORROW: Leinster Senior League - Division One: Avoca v Dublin University 1.45; Corinthians v Aer Lingus 12.30; Division Two: Bray v Eastern Health, 2.30; Skerries v Clontarf 1.0; St Brendan's/PP v Weston 12.0; Suttonians v St James's Gate 12.0. Munster Senior League: Waterford v UCC, 12.0; Catholic Institute v Belvedere, 1.30; Limerick v C of I B, 2.0; Bandon v Harelequins A, 3.0.
SUNDAY: Interprovincial Championship: Ulster v Leinster, Blaris, 2.45. Munster Senior League: C of I A v Harlequins B, 3.0.
