Pembroke Wanderers, with a 100 per cent record from five matches, face the most searching test of their prowess in tomorrow's Leinster Senior League game against Corinthians at Whitechurch Park.
With their four athletic figures from the Southern Hemisphere and the sturdy core of Waterford/ Kilkenny/Carlow battlers, Corinthians may again become strong challengers this season. Furthermore, the return after injury of Cormac Byrne gives the side fresh heart.
Pembroke - though also at full strength with the return after a week's absence of Nigel Handerson, Duncan McKeen and Devin Donnelly - will be aware of their vulnerability at this venue in recent campaigns, but their strike force may well show greater incisiveness, if given the space.
Already, Glenanne, with three defeats, have little hope of retaining the title, yet they will be determined to make some sort of bang this weekend. First they are hosts to strongly emerging YMCA, and on Monday they defend the Stephen Doyle Trophy against Pembroke at The Iveagh Grounds.
Among the other league matches tomorrow, second-placed Three Rock Rovers will find it difficult to take points from their visit to Aer Lingus, where a duel between Derek O'Gorman and Peter McConnell will reflect the nouvelle vague element in both clubs.
While Monkstown have been playing with admirable zeal, they shouldn't under-estimate Trinity's ability to break through at Santry. Should the students start winning, Avoca and Railway Union will be anxious to salvage something from their meeting at Rathdown.
A new incentive is the Computershare player of the month award. The coaches of the first division clubs will be involved in selecting the first winner for September/October.
