HOCKEY: GOOD NEWS for the men's Irish hockey team is that this week's FIH rankings have them up from 18 in the world to 17. Bad news for Belfast side Instonians is that following their fielding on an ineligible player in their Irish Hockey League (IHL) match against Monkstown last month, they've been deducted points.
The IHL Working Group has considered the issue whereby Instonians played an ineligible player against Monkstown on October 15th. The player in question had not been registered on IHA Link, contravening rule 4.2.2 of the IHL Rules and Regulations. The IHL Working Group has agreed to impose a penalty deduction of two points.
Instonians, having taken care of Glenanne last weekend and initially securing three points which now is just one point, turn their attention this week to injury-plagued Harlequins, who leaked in four goals last time out against Banbridge.
But top of Pool A sits Monkstown on six points. This weekend could prove to be a pivotal match for them as they experience the heat of Havelock Park and face Banbridge, who are just two points behind.
Glenanne and Cookstown make up another important meeting in the pool, Glenanne clearly licking their wounds after their 3-2 defeat to Instonians. Doughty Cookstown, who have so far secured a draw and a win in their opening games, remain in contention for pool honours and are marginal favourites.
In Pool B Lisnagarvey, like Monkstown, have full points from two games. Facing Three Rock Rovers at home looks like an easy task as Rovers are slumped at the bottom of the table with one point.
But the Grange Road outfit won 3-2 in the 2010 Irish Senior Cup before shipping seven goals in the IHL at Hillsborough.
FIXTURES: Saturday – Irish Hockey League: Pool A: Banbridge v Monkstown, Havelock Park 5pm; Cork Harlequins v Instonians, Farmers Cross 3pm; Glenanne v Cookstown, Glenanne Park 3pm; Pool B: C of I v YMCA, Garryduff 2.30pm; Three Rock Rovers v Lisnagarvey, Grange Road 3pm; Pembroke v Annadale, Serpentine Avenue 3pm. Neville Cup: Fingal v Portrane, ALSAA, 1pm. Leinster Senior League, Division one: UCD v Clontarf, Belfield, 1pm. Division Two: Avoca v Rathgar, Newpark School, 3.30pm; Suttonians v Weston, Sutton Park School, 1pm. Sunday – Leinster Senior League, Division One: Clontarf v Fingal, Mount Temple, TBC.
