Paul Derham, back from New Zealand via the Commonwealth Games hockey competition in Kuala Lumpur, is included in the Avoca squad for the Neville Cup final against Glenanne at Serpentine Avenue on St Stephen's Day.

Nigel Kingston and Galahad Goulet, though their activity has been limited recently through injury, also hope to appear for Avoca in their efforts to retain the trophy which they won by beating Glenanne 2-1 a year ago.

Glenanne, in their third successive final, will be aiming to repeat their first capture of this trophy, at Pembroke's expense in 1996. They also will be at full strength, but needing to find inspiration after succumbing 3-0 to YMCA in the Mills Cup last weekend. Their 4-1 defeat of Avoca in their most recent league meeting may provide some encouragement.

A free-flowing game is promised, though the outcome again comes down to a duel between Glenanne's leading marksman Stephen Butler and Stephen Kinsella between the Avoca posts.

In the Leinster under-21 cup final - during which hot ports will be in full flow in the club house - Monkstown will probably be too accomplished for Railway Union.