FEW members of the hockey fraternity can allow themselves to fall into decline over the festive season as there is a full sack of fixtures to occupy mind and body. These include a bracing Irish Senior Cup replay in which Annadale visit Raphoe tomorrow.

Raphoe have been showing such dynamic form in Ulster that they are expected to have the edge over Annadale, especially on their grit surface.

It is unlikely there will be such a flood of goals as there was in last Saturday's remarkable 5-5 draw at Lough Moss. Yet while Annadale will miss David Smyth as he recovers from his neck injury, momentum will still come from Chris Jackson to keep the match open.

Gabriel McNulty, the home side's skipper, is bound to call for a tighter defence this time and depend again on Richard Eaton and Vincent Devenney to carve out the striking opportunities.

While Raphoe boldly lead the Ulster Senior League, Lisnagarvey and Instonians meet at Blaris. A win may ultimately be of more value to Instonians as they will be less hit by international demands in their bid to retain the title.

In the Leinster championship, Avoca have two important fixtures in which they hope to hold their ground before handing over five leading players - the latest being JP Murphy - to the Ireland training panel.

Robbie Ryan feels that his injured shoulder can stand up to tomorrow's clash with Glenanne at Rathdown and no doubt Peter Darley will be back for the showdown with Three Rock Rovers a week later.

Glenanne, meanwhile, will hope to make their presence felt, not only in aiming to foil Avoca and in matching Railway Union in another league game after Christmas, but to fill the Neville Cup at Pembroke's expense at Serpentine Avenue on St Stephen's Day.

Having relished their capture of the Mills Cup on St Patrick's Day, Glenanne would put much into celebrating a double within the year.