The universities find themselves fully involved in the first round of the Irish Senior Cup tomorrow before they engage in their own tournament, the Mauritius Cup, at Jordanstown next week.

Indeed, Trinity and Queen's are going to become all too familiar with each other as they meet at Santry tomorrow and are in the same group in the 'varsities competition. Trinity, captained by Greg Dunne, have made a flying start in the second division of the Leinster League, winning their first six matches before being held to a 2-2 draw at Skerries last Saturday.

Giving the side extra attacking verve is Charlie Carroll, after his experience in playing for Three Rock Rovers, while David Johnston has come straight into the first XI from Freshmen's ranks to sharpen the defence.

UCD, who won the 'varsity laurels last year, are also going well in league fare, lying second to Trinity, and they will expect to repeat a 4-2 win over Portrane at Belfield in the cup. DCU, though, must face elimination at Antrim.

The focus on the first division in Leinster this weekend is on the Railway Union-Glenanne clash at Park Avenue. Glenanne are the most settled side in the province, yet even a point will be difficult to obtain as Railway are gaining momentum and, with Paul O'Brien back from holiday, a full-strength line-up is being printed in tomorrow's enterprising match programme.

A division of the spoils would leave both teams slipping further behind Pembroke, who will be too powerful for Monkstown at Serpentine Avenue, especially if Gordon Elliott has recovered from injury.

At least, Monkstown will have been encouraged by their 2-1 midweek win over Corinthians in which Simon Cox scored twice and the defence - with Eamonn Whelan establishing a place in the back four - recovered from the concession of four goals to Railway.