HOCKEY: Hopefully, news from the World Cup in Australia will prompt extra enthusiasm for Sunday's Leinster League matches in Dublin. The quest continues for Top Three places (relevant to all-Ireland berths), notably with Pembroke Wanderers and Loreto aiming to enhance their positions with wins over Corinthians and Genesis, respectively.
Old Alexandra, who defied the elements in beating UCD 2-0 with goals by Evanne O'Reilly and Anya Bowers on Wednesday night, have taken over the top rung. They are just a point clear of Pembroke (who have Sunday's game in hand) and the defending champions, Hermes.
Pembroke - though missing Orla Canavan (supporting Ireland in Perth) - should regain first place but coach Roy Horsfield will have respect for Corinthians, whom he guided last season. Furthermore, Corinthians will have been boosted by a 9-0 conquest of Parkview in the Irish Senior Cup last Saturday.
Tom O'Donoghue, in charge of fourth-placed Loreto, will equally be aware of the capabilities of enigmatic Genesis at Rathdown. Loreto, though, will be expected to have the more competitive edge.
Trinity, encouraged by their Mauritius Cup success under Fintan Butler's guidance, will be determined to take the points from Glenanne in a bottom-of the-table contest at Santry.
TOMORROW: Irish Junior Cup (first round) - Cookstown v Lurgan, Cookstown, 2.30; Genesis II v Our Lady's Terenure, Rathdown School, 12.0; Bandon II v Athlone, Bandon GS, 1.0; Belfast Harlequins II v Randalstown II, Deramore, 1.0; Enniscorthy v UCC II, Loughboy, Kilkenny, 1.0; Kinvara v Carrickfergus, Dangan, Galway, 1.0; Hermes II v Pembroke Wanderers II, Belfield, 1.0; Wexford v Kilkenny, Newtown School, Waterford, 2.0; Loreto II v Corinthians II, Loreto Beaufort, 2.30; Old Alexandra II v Cork Harlequins II, Milltown, 1.30; Belvedere II v Raphoe, Ballincollig, 12.0; Ashton v Portadown, Ashton School, 2.0; Clontarf v Newry, RCSI, 2.30; Carlow v Pegasus II, Kilkenny College, 1.0; Three Rock Ladies v Aer Lingus, Grange Road, 12.0; Cork C of I w/o Queen's University scr.
SUNDAY - Leinster Senior League: Division One: Pembroke Wanderers v Corinthians, Serpentine Avenue, 1.30; Genesis v Loreto, Rathdown, 2.0; Trinity v Glenanne, Santry, 2.0; Division Two: Three Rock Ladies v Corinthians II, Grange Road, 1.30.
