The remarkable prospect of seven Australians aiming to win Leinster Senior Cup medals as Corinthians bid to carry off the Mills trophy for the first time since 1939 gives special zest to Sunday's Cable & Wireless-sponsored final against the three-in-a-row holders Pembroke Wanderers.
Indeed, this Serpentine Avenue pairing promises to be one of the most exhilarating games of the season as both sides thrive on attack. Pembroke's international pair, Gordon Elliott and Justin Sherriff, may well be matched by the equally prolific Tasmanians, Colin Stewart and Olly Close - depending, of course, on developments in midfield.
Here, Corinthians welcome back James Benson to confront Devin Donnelly in a key duel. But, further back, Pembroke's most influential role could be played by Paudie Carley. He controlled the Irish Senior Cup tie at Whitechurch Park, which they won 5-1. Corinthians, however, have since become a much more effective team, notably with the Clauson brothers, Sean and Aaron, finding their niche and Dan Williams settling into the defence. Furthermore, with Ivan Ovington back at the helm, they will be at full strength, whereas Pembroke are missing the injured Nigel Henderson and Allan Kershaw.
Two years ago, when these clubs also met in the final, Pembroke won 1-0, but Sunday's match is bound to be much more open. While Corinthians look capable of creating sufficient pressure to prevail this time, Pembroke - who are staging a poker classic tonight (to raise European championship funds) - could still conjure up a winning hand.
The Munster Senior Cup final is also being played on Sunday, at Garryduff, where Cork C of I and Harlequins will be as finely matched as ever. Both sides are shaping up keenly for the all-Ireland play-offs after Easter.
Tomorrow, the Leinster Senior League continues, with the emphasis remaining on relegation. The most significant game will involve Railway Union and Trinity at Park Avenue, especially if Avoca and Aer Lingus were to pick up a point against YMCA and Three Rock Rovers, respectively. YM, though, will want to send out a positive message in view of next weekend's Irish Senior Cup final against Glenanne, whose tune-up is against Monkstown.
Tomorrow: Leinster Senior League Div- ision One - Aer Lingus v YMCA (1.30); Avoca v Three Rock Rovers (11.45); Glenanne v Monkstown (3.0); Railway Union v Dublin University (3.0); Division Two - Bray v Weston (12.0); Clontarf v UCD (1.0); Naas v DCU (1.0); Portrane v Skerries (1.0); Eastern Health v St James's Gate (3.0); St Brendan's/PP v Suttonians (12.30); Munster Premier League - Catholic Institute v UCC (12.30).
Sunday: Leinster Senior Cup final - Corinthians v Pembroke Wanderers, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0; Railway Cup final - Glenanne II v Pembroke Wanderers II, 4.0; Leinster League Division Two - UCD v Portrane (2.0);Munster Senior Cup final - Cork C of I v Harlequins, Garryduff, 3.30.
A specially made left-handed stick has been presented to Newtown (Waterford) schoolboy Hugh O'Farrell-Walsh, who has rightsided hemiplegia. The initiative came from Pembroke Wanderers striker Gordon Elliott, who had the stick (donated by Eddie Dwyer) crafted by his international team-mate Nigel Henderson.
