MEN'S HOCKEY:GLENANNE GO into this weekend's European Hockey League (EHL) weakened from last season, but with hopes of carrying the Irish flag with their usual distinction. The Dublin side suffered at the end of last season, with the loss of former Irish International Stephen Butler to Dragons of Belgium, John Goulding to London and the experienced heads of Paul Fitzpatrick (YMCA assistant coach) as well as the retired Clinton Murphy and Mark Lambe.
“It was a great loss” said player/coach Graham Shaw. “We lost a lot of experienced players and friends, but we have gained too. The acquisition of Stephen Brownlow from Avoca, has added to our strike force. We also signed two Dutch players who have played hockey in other European countries, which is invaluable.”
Glenanne have a tough task and face German side Mannheimer and Polish club Grunwald. The Germans will be extremely difficult to counter, but the Poles will be a more reasonable challenge as the Irish team have played them before.
“Playing against German teams is always difficult. I’ve experienced this at international level,” said Shaw. And as for Grunwald: “We are very confident going into this game. We’ve played them before,” he added.
Glenanne travel to Barcelona for the weekend and miss domestic fare this weekend.
YMCA’s prodigious goal scoring make them one of the sides to watch closely this season. Facing Fingal at home this weekend is, on paper, a comfortable, although not straightforward, match and with league leaders Glenanne at the EHL, a win in Alexandra could put them top of the table.
Monkstown’s meeting with Pembroke at Serpentine Avenue seems to be the pick of the games though.
With Pembroke on less sure ground than they once were and Monkstown with bullish intentions of picking up silverware this season, this match will be an early season litmus test.
Pembroke still have lots of clout in their squad, but are evidently more vulnerable and Monkstown (trailing on goal difference) arrive in Ballsbridge with the confidence of having hit five goals last weekend against Weston.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday – Leinster Senior League, Division One: YMCA v Fingal, Alexandra College, Milltown, 1.30pm; Three Rock Rovers v Railway Union, Grange Road, 2.0pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Monkstown, Serpentine Avenue, 2.30pm; Weston v Corinthian Griffeen Valley, Lucan, 3pm. Division Two: Suttonians v Avoca, Sutton Park School, 1pm; Bray v Rathgar Chiefs, Loreto College, Bray, 23.0pm; Dublin University v Navan, Grange Road, 1pm.
