MEN'S HOCKEY:PEMBROKE FACE Cork Harlequins tomorrow in the first pool match in defence of their Irish Hockey League title won last May. The Serpentine Avenue side have gotten off to a hesitant start this year, although they have rattled in the goals against some weaker sides, notably Fingal, who they hit six against in the Neville Cup quarter-finals to make it through to meet Monkstown in the semi-final.
Monkstown are also IHL Pool B rivals and face YMCA in their first-round tie over the weekend. In something of a Neville Cup goal fest Monkstown also advanced in that competition by hitting five against Clontarf, while Glenanne scored four against UCD.
All very fine but IHL should drive it up a notch and with Mark Black and his side visiting, Pembroke know that more inspiration and perspiration will be required despite the fact that the Cork side have a poor enough history in this competition.
Monkstown’s visit to Alexandra College in one of the local derby matches and should be of interest as Trevor Daag continues to push YM’ forwards. Monkstown have had a good start to the season with the latest editions of two well known hockey families, Stephen Cole and Gareth Watkins, scoring goals early doors, which should leave the Dún Laoghaire club slight favourites for this meeting.
In Pool A Corinthians’ visit to Glenanne should tell the Whitechurch team exactly where they are in standard. Glenanne will be rightly thinking they are contenders for the title and have backed that up with a bright opening, while Corinthians will have to try and shake off the 4-1 league mauling they suffered at the hands of Rovers. Given Glenanne’s unbeaten start, player-coach Graham Shaw should feel his Glenanne side have plenty here.
C of I have home advantage for their opener against Ulster’s Lisnagarvey. The Hillsborough side, who made it to the final last season, arrive to the Munster champions, who also lost a raft of international standard players over the summer. Still, captain and set-piece maestro John Jermyn, with nine goals this season, hopes to improve his Cork team’s standing in the competition.
Saturday – Irish Hockey League, Round One, Pool A: Corinthians v Glenanne, Whitechurch Park, 2.30; C of I v Lisnagarvey, Garryduff, 2.30; Cookstown v Annadale, Coolnafranky, 2.30; Pool B: Pembroke Wanderers v Cork Harlequin, Serpentine Avenue, 3pm; YMCA v Monkstown, Alexandra College, 3pm; Instonians v Banbridge, Shawsbridge, 6pm. Leinster Senior League, Division Two: Suttonians v Dublin University, Sutton Park School, 1pm; Bray v Navan, Loreto Bray, 1.15; Clontarf v Avoca, Mount Temple school, 2pm.
