WHILE Munster clubs turn their attention to cup hockey this weekend, the race for the Ulster and Leinster league titles, involving six teams, reaches a crucial phase.

The top two in Ulster, Pegasus and Ards, meet in Belfast while third-placed Randalstown face the hapless Coleraine who have conceded 90 goals in their 13 league games.

Randalstown dropped their first points of the campaign against defending champions Pegasus last weekend and the return meeting between the two clubs, who both have games in hand on Ards, towards the end of the season could decide the issue.

In most recent seasons, Muckross had the Leinster League as good as won when the pantos were still packing them in. This season, with just four games remaining, Loreto and Old Alexandra can shout `look behind you'

at the title holders from a much closer vantage point.

Muckross, who recently announced a sponsorship deal with the mineral water company Volvic, are still very much odds-on to retain their crown, with a goal difference so superior to their rivals that it effectively adds another point to their three-point cushion over Loreto at the top of the table.

However Loreto's hopes remain alive with a home match still to come against the champions. Old Alexandra will also be hoping for a Muckross defeat in that meeting and then hope that a final-day-of-the-season victory over Loreto will be enough to clinch the title.

The top three should win their matches tomorrow against teams from the bottom four but will take nothing for granted