MEN'S HOCKEY/Preview: Last Season, Irish hockey's four major trophies went to Leinster. Now, Munster have already captured the senior and under-21 interprovincial titles. The question is whether Cork C of I and Harlequins can complete the grand slam by taking the Irish Senior Cup and the all-Ireland championship from Glenanne and Pembroke Wanderers. Or can Instonians or Annadale salvage something for Ulster?
Tomorrow's Irish Cup quarter-finals will reduce the permutations as C of I, Pembroke and Instonians visit Corinthians, Annadale and Raphoe, respectively, while Glenanne await the outcome of the Harlequins v Avoca fourth-round tie in Cork.
At Whitechurch Park, C of I will need to be wary of the predatory prowess of Corinthians striker Colin Stewart. A key factor for the visitors will be the fitness of Alastair Dunne and Derek Hales.
With all their resources available, Pembroke by now should be back into their stride, yet Annadale will be strongly in the reckoning with home advantage.
David Smyth is bound to be an influential figure in an Annadale side close to a total breakthrough but Pembroke may still advance through the zeal of Devin Donnelly and the fresh enthusiasm of Ronan Gormley.
Instonians take impressive credentials on their assignment in Donegal but they will be aware of Raphoe's capabilities. Notably, David Buchanan can annul the drag-flicking expertise of Chris Barnes while Johnny Weir could strike at the other end to make this a close tussle.
Harlequins can expect to beat Avoca, whose goalkeeper Stephen Kinsella is doubtful after aggravating an injury in the European indoor championship in Portugal. Incidentally, Avoca were the only side to take a point off eventual winners, Espinho.
Glenanne can wrap up the Leinster league title by defeating Aer Lingus tomorrow before they take on Monkstown in the Mills Cup semi-finals at Grange Road on Sunday. The holders Pembroke tackle Three Rock Rovers. Another Pembroke-Glenanne decider is on the cards.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup - Fourth round: Cork Harlequins v Avoca, Farmers Cross, 1.0 (G Quail, A Groves); quarter-finals: Corinthians v Cork C of I, Whitechurch Park, 1.45 (G Burns, K McGinley); Raphoe v Instonians, Raphoe School, 2.30 (W McCully, C McConkey); Annadale v Pembroke Wanderers, Lough Moss Leisure Centre, 2.30 (C Hutchinson, E McFerran); Leinster Senior League - Aer Lingus v Glenanne, 1.45; YMCA v UCD, 2.0.
SUNDAY: Leinster Senior Cup semi-finals (Grange Road) - Glenanne v Monkstown, 2.0; Pembroke v Three Rock Rovers, 4.0.
