WET and windy weather seems certain to provide the backdrop to the quarter final matches in the Leinster Senior Cup this weekend. Two second division teams have survived to this stage - UCD and Railway Union II. Railway defeated Glenanne, 3-0, to secure their place. However, they face the formidable Loreto.

Surprisingly, Loreto's coach is not as confident as one would expect her to be. Sally Anne Ferguson, pointing to Railway's defeat of Glenanne, declared: "We are not taking anything for granted." Loreto, though, must start out as favourites.

UCD, who narrowly missed promotion last year, play Clontarf who are languishing at the bottom of the first division in which they have not won a match this season.

In view of this fact, the UCD coach Evan McNicholas seemed overly pessimistic when she said "we are obviously the underdogs but hopefully we will give them a good game."

Championship leaders Muckross line out against Railway Union's first team. Muckross's strength is reflected in their five point lead in the league and Railway coach Fintan Butler admitted they have a tough battle ahead of them though "being a cup match anything can happen."

The fourth quarter final is between Old Alexandra and Hermes. Alexandra won 1-0 in the cup last year. Consequently Hermes are out for revenge.

Meanwhile, the Under 16 Interprovincial Championship is taking place today and tomorrow at Garryduff, Cork. Leinster are the defending champions. Performances will have a strong bearing on the selection of the Irish squad to defend the Home Countries title won last year in Scotland.