WITH Leinster scooting to a 3-0 defeat of Ulster in the senior Interprovincial championship at Blaris last weekend, it was not over indulgent for six branch presidents from Dublin to enjoy a quiet chuckle on the terraces. Crawford Tipping, Jimmy O'Connor, Marius Gallagher, Douglas Grey, Willie Murray and Geoffrey Brooks had all put their hearts into Leinster's revival, which has been manifested on all fronts.
The Irish Senior Cup, though, has been surrendered by Avoca and it may well be carried off to Munster by Cork C of I or go back to Ulster again in Lisnagarvey's hands. Yet, Three Rock Rovers and Pembroke Wanderers remain respected contenders at the last 16 stage, with Rovers, in particular, expected to show their credentials when Banbridge visit Grange Road tomorrow.
Enigmatic Banbridge have provided stirring opposition in the past and Lee Tumilty and David McAnulty will not allow Three Rock any relaxation. But with Liam Canning using his pace to maximum effect alongside fellow striker Gordon Elliott, and Robin Madeley providing unstinting support, the home side should win with some cheer.
Having overcome Instonians in Belfast, Pembroke surely will win at Antrim, though second division Ulster teams still need to be taken seriously by sides from outside the province. Railway Union can also help to provide Leinster with a healthy representation in the quarter finals, for Cookstown have lost some of their competitive edge and may not relish their task at Park Avenue.
Martin Sloan - missed by Ulster in the interprovincials - is bound to exert a marvellous amount of control in midfield, but if Railway use their fitness to the fullest extent and spread the ball widely and deeply, Stephen Moulton or Neville Kavanagh may well pounce decisively.
Dublin YMCA are facing the reality of elimination by Lisnagarvey at Blaris, yet there will be pockets of resistance which will keep the margin admirably slender.
Meanwhile, Monkstown, who showed momentum in outscoring YM 4-3 in a league match last Saturday, take on Corinthians in their relatively modest all Leinster Nissan Cup clash at Rathdown. The outcome probably depends on whether Monkstown can tee up a shot or two for Justin Sherriff.
Elsewhere, Cork C of I will not be complacent as they tackle Belvedere at Harlequin Park, but having played with so much purpose in taking Avoca's scalp they wilt hardly tail £6 be at local rivals.
One of the closest ties seems likely to be at Lough Moss, where Raphoe gained a 1-0 win over Annadale last weekend to go top of the Ulster League table. The Donegal side, with David Buchanan and Jonathan Lecky to the fore, are having as good a run as soccer brethren Finn Harps, but the return of Chris Jackson and David Smyth to Annadale's ranks may be significant.
