MEN'S HOCKEY/Preview: Weston, the only second-division survivors in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup, are, says club secretary John Kelly, "fairly geeded up" for Glenanne's visit to King's Hospital tomorrow.
They would accept that they cannot contain the most competitive team in the country, but they are going to "enjoy the experience".
Furthermore, their leading lights, such as Mark Birnie at the back, captain Norman Hipwell in midfield and main striker Paddy Gahan, are bound to make some impact on the game.
For the two universities it will also be a matter of holding out as best they can against superior opposition, as Trinity meet the holders, Pembroke Wanderers, at Santry, while UCD are hosts to Three Rock Rovers at Belfield. Pembroke, though missing Allan Kershaw through injury, will have too much firepower for Trinity, while Rovers have now found a rhythm that UCD will find difficult to suppress.
In the local derby at Rathdown, Monkstown's tempo is likely to be too much for Avoca, whose quest for league points and involvement in the European indoor championship next month will be greater priorities.
The second round of the Irish Junior Cup also gives zest to the weekend, with the main interest centred on the two strong Cork sides, C of I II and Harlequins II, who are at home to Banbridge II and Annadale II, respectively. Pembroke II, the holders, are hosts to Waterford who, if not currently ready for a breakthrough, will no doubt achieve full vibrancy - like their city - in the years ahead.
TOMORROW
IRISH JUNIOR CUP - Second round: Kilkenny v Parkview, 2.15 (D MacNally, G Conn); Mossley II v Antrim II, 1.0 (B Gowdy, G Maguire); Glenanne II v YMCA II, 12.30 (R McMinn, D Stewart); Cork C of I II v Banbridge II, 1.30 (D Shine, L Canning); Pembroke Wanderers II v Waterford, 2.0 (P Griffin, C Tipping); Galway v Railway Union II, 2.30 (BJ McAteer, O De Vito); Cork Harlequins II v Annadale II, 1.30 (G Burns, P Murphy); Lisnagarvey II v UCD II, 2.30 (R Peacock, T Templeton). LEINSTER SENIOR CUP - Quarter-finals: Dublin University v Pembroke Wanderers 3.0; UCD v Three Rock Rovers, 1.0; Weston v Glenanne, 2.30; Monkstown v Avoca, 3.0. LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division Two: Bray v Suttonians, 2.0; Naas v St Brendan's 12.0; Railway Union v Skerries, 2.30; Eastern Health v Portrane, 12.0; St James's Gate v Clontarf, 1.0. MUNSTER SENIOR CUP - First round: UCC v Belvedere, 11.0; Munster Senior League - Cork C of I A v Limerick, 3.0.
MONDAY
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Glenanne v YMCA, 7.45.
