Potential classic as Three Rock Rovers host Lisnagarvey in quarter-final cup tie

Cork C of I to test their credentials when they take on Glenanne

UCD’s Matteo Romoli and Ross Canning of Three Rock Rovers. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho
UCD’s Matteo Romoli and Ross Canning of Three Rock Rovers. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

The men's Irish Senior Cup quarter-final line-up features a potential classic as two of the competition's most successful clubs meet at Grange Road at 3pm with Three Rock Rovers hosting Lisnagarvey – they account for 36 of the titles since the trophy was introduced in 1893.

Garvey are the reigning champions, with Rovers winning the two editions before that. The former won their most recent tie two weeks ago 3-2, but Rovers subsequently got the upper hand in the league with victories over Glenanne and YMCA.

A key factor could be the availability of Ross Canning who has been a key figure for Rovers thus far, but he was rested for the second half of that win over YM with a hamstring strain.

Andy Keane could come back into the reckoning for Rovers having missed last week's tie.

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Cork C of I will get a big test of their credentials when they take on Glenanne in quarter-final of the men's Irish Senior Cup on Saturday in Dublin.

The Garryduff side are unbeaten on all fronts this term, topping Munster Division One and starting their EYHL Division Two campaign in rude health with a 5-0 win over Rathgar.

But the Glens will be a different level to anything they have faced this term with the Tallaght club sitting equal second in the top division.

It is the kind of challenge Jonny Bruton's side have expressly stated they want to face more frequently, targeting a return to the top tier of the EYHL where they believe the likes of Rob Sweetnam, Mark Collins, Ian Balding and Rory Treacy will thrive.

The Glens were understrength last week with Shannon Boucher, Richie Shaw, Richard Couse and Rowland Rixon-Fuller all out, but in Shane O'Donoghue they have the country's outstanding goalscorer at the heart of things.

Two wins

Cookstown are the other regional side looking to cause an upset against top-tier opposition in a repeat of the 2009 final. The unbeaten Ulster Premier side face an out-of-sorts Pembroke who have just two wins in national competitions this term in nine attempts and were without player-coach Alan Sothern last weekend.

The Co Tyrone side are seeing plenty of young guns rising through the ranks with Mark Cuddy and Luke Haycock shining last week, along with Max Anderson and the McCabes Scott and Josh. They are another side looking to push for EYHL promotion and a victory over a side in the top tier would show their credentials.

Monkstown meet YMCA who they drew with 1-1 recently in the league, with Sam Hyland scoring a late penalty stroke. The Y have missed the fiery presence of Ross Henderson up front, while Town's form has been hit and miss, beating two of the top three in the league either side of that draw with YM, who occupy eighth in the table.

Stephen Findlater

Stephen Findlater

Stephen Findlater is a contributor to The Irish Times writing about hockey