HOCKEY:A weekend where the top three teams, Three Rock Rovers, Pembroke and Glenanne, play each other in the Leinster Senior League is likely to be pivotal in how the sides finish this season. This is, of course, a transition year and the top four will automatically qualify for next season's national league with those below falling into a feeder provincial system. That will also be in the mind of several other teams clamouring around the top.
Glenanne face Three Rock Rovers on Saturday in Tallaght before travelling to Serpentine Avenue on Sunday, where they meet Pembroke. Glenanne have been successful in the past in these double weekends and no doubt after the testy match against Rovers the star-studded Pembroke awaits.
Glenanne will have a full side and as the Irish team travelling to Chile do not leave until December 11th, Pembroke and Rovers will also line out with their international players.
That South American tour is part of the preparation for an Olympic Qualifying tournament in New Zealand in February in which Ireland (ranked 19th) will compete. The tour includes a four nation's event involving the hosts (ranked 20th), Argentina (ranked 7th) and South Africa (ranked 25th).
"Chile will provide the perfect climate, training and competitive environment to develop towards the qualifier," explained coach David Passmore. "It is ideal we have a variety of opposition playing styles and an opportunity to develop some of the areas we fell short on in Manchester (European Championships)."
Passmore named his squad following the friendly matches against Scotland. Rovers' Andrew McConnell has been called into the travelling team, having impressed in gaining his first cap in Sterling. Stephen Butler, Graham Shaw and Andy Barbour miss out due to work commitments. The team returns home two days before Christmas.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday - Leinster Senior League, Division One: UCD v YMCA, Belfield 1.0; Fingal v Kilkenny, ALSAA, 2.0; Monkstown v Pembroke, Rathdown, 1.30; Glenanne v Three Rock Rovers, Glenanne Park, 2.0; Bray v Corinthians, Bray, 1.15. Division Two: Railway Union v Suttonians, Park Avenue, 3.0; Weston v Skerries, Griffeen Valley Park, 2.0; Navan v Dublin University, Sportslink, 12.30; Clontarf v PSBPP, Clontarf, 2.0; Avoca v Naas, Newpark, 1.30. Munster Senior League: Catholic Institute A v Church of Ireland B, Rosbrien, 2.0; Belvedere v Harlequins B Ballincollig, 11.0; Bandon B v Harlequins A, Bandon, 2.30. Peard Cup: Church of Ireland A v Bandon A, Garryduff, 3.0.
Sunday - Leinster Senior League, Division One: YMCA v Fingal, Claremont Road, 1.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Glenanne, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0; Three Rock Rovers v Bray, Grange Road, 2.0.
