Men's Hockey Weekend previewsGlenanne's tenacity is something many clubs could learn from. Last Sunday, in their tight end-to-end match against Monkstown, the visitors to St Andrew's nicked a goal in the dying minutes to go through to the next round of the Leinster Senior Cup.
It is not the first time Glenanne have had the streetwise edge to pull out wins in games. In their league match the previous day against Corinthians, again Glenanne came away as winners, both of their goals deflections past goalkeeper Charlie Henderson.
Short of their three top players, all of whom are doing excellently in the Belgium league, Glenanne have filled the holes better than anyone could have expected and tomorrow against UCD should continue in the vein that has kept them in touch with the top sides.
UCD are struggling, as they did last season, while their counterparts at Trinity have been performing as well as any university side could be expected to. The Blakeney brothers, Peter and John, Pheile Maguire and Philip Balbirnie have been popping up regularly to keep Trinity, the holders of the Leinster under-21 Cup, in the running.
Their match at Whitechurch against Corinthians could very well produce a few goals for both side, with the home side favoured to finish with the most.
Pembroke, fresh from defeat last week at the hands of Aer Lingus, are unlikely to have become too unstuck by the surprise strike and when they face YMCA at Serpentine Avenue tomorrow they should have shaken off the Christmas lethargy and spate of injuries.
While YMCA, under the tutelage of former Ireland striker Stuart Walker as Ger Butler has taken up a job in the US, represent a threat to all sides, their record against Pembroke is particularly good. They've played the Serpentine Avenue side three times this season and have won twice and drawn the other. With the snowboarding international Justin Sherriff not available for Pembroke but the rest of their squad, including Ireland goalkeeper Nigel Henderson, all back, YMCA's assignment is tough.
Titleholders Three Rock Rovers face Monkstown at Grange Road and will expect to win while Railway Union hope to continue from last week's draw, although their opponents Aer Lingus now have a greater swagger since last week's scalping of Pembroke.
FIXTURES
SATURDAY: Leinster Senior League: Division One: Corinthians v Dublin University, 1.30, Whitechurch Park; Railway Union v Aer Lingus, 2.30, St Teresians; Three Rock Rovers v Monkstown, 12.30, Grange Road; UCD v Glenanne, 1.15, Belfield; Pembroke Wanderers v YMCA, 2.15, Serpentine Ave. Division Two: Weston v Avoca, 12.30, Kings Hospital; Skerries v Clontarf, 12.0, Sportslink; St Brendan's v Portrane tba; Naas v St James's Gate, 12.30, Iveagh Grounds; Bray v Suttonians, 1.0, Bray. Munster Senior Cup: Semi-final: Harlequins v Belvedere, Ballincollig, 1.0. Munster Senior League: C of I B v Harlequins B, Garryduff, 4.0.
SUNDAY: Leinster Senior Cup: St Brendan's v UCD, 2.0, DCU.
