MEN'S HOCKEY:A WEEK AFTER winning the Irish Hockey League for the first time with a 3-1 win over YMCA in the final, Lisnagarvey will attempt to make it a prestigious national double by lifting the Irish Senior Cup. Railway Union, though, stand between them and a place in Sunday's final, with Cork Harlequins and Instonians meeting in the second of tomorrow's semi-finals at Belfield.

Since 2000, Lisnagarvey (2003 and 2005), Instonians (2002 and 2004) and Harlequins (2006) have won the competition fives times between them, but when Railway last got their name on the trophy it was in the same year Douglas Hyde was inaugurated as President. And that’s not today or yesterday – 1938, to be exact.

That, then, is quite a gap for the club to bridge, but the team should have taken plenty of confidence from their 2-0 quarter-final win over Leinster champions Glenanne, having not played a competitive game in almost a month.

Harlequins’ morale should be in good shape too for their meeting with Instonians, a week after they retained their Munster League title by beating Church of Ireland. When the teams last met, in November’s IHL tie, the Cork side won 3-2, Paul Lombard getting the decisive goal 10 minutes from time.

Having already beaten Annadale and Banbridge, this will be the Harlequins’ third encounter with an Ulster side in this year’s competition.

YMCA have a vested interest in Lisnagarvey completing the double this weekend – if they do so, then the Dublin club will qualify for European competition next season.

Irish Senior Cup (at Belfield) – Tomorrow – Semi-finals: Lisnagarvey v Railway Union, 3pm; Cork Harlequins v Instonians, 5pm. Sunday: Final, 3.30pm.