WITH three non-Division One sides left in the semi-final stages of the Leinster Senior Cup, Lansdowne's odds have hardened to survive this weekend's contest against Dublin University and win the competition outright.

But Trinity have generated some confidence from their surprising run so far. Jan Cunningham, the Ulster wing, has been freely running in tries, grabbing two in each of the last two matches, and after last week's win over next season's Division One side Clontarf, the students have gathered considerable momentum. Having switched from wing to full-back in the last three weeks for the university, Cunningham is likely to stay there with Brian Quinn remaining on the wing.

Lansdowne coach Paul Clinch, a former Trinity captain (as was his colleague Donal Spring), has not yet selected his team but has several players on the injury list. Full-back Richie Governey is still doubtful, as is Stephen Rooney and scrum-half Dave O'Mahony. If O'Mahony is out, his place will be taken by former Irish schools player Ian Murphy. Prop Angus McKean will definitely be missing from the pack as he is unavailable.

"The dry conditions will suit Trinity," says Clinch, "and they play an enterprising game that the rules now reward. Teams have already underestimated them."

Bective, who face Skerries, await the outcome of a fitness test later in the week on scrum-half Des Jackson. If Jackson is out, then Alan O'Shea will come into the side. Elsewhere Craig Wilson returns to full-back with Stu Wilson moving to the right wing for Damian Guerin. At number eight, Paul Hatton comes in for Philip Kenny, who has business commitments.

In the Ulster semi-finals, Ballymena face Dungannon in what many would envisage as a fitting final. Dungannon are going for five Senior Cup wins in succession but face a team who many consider as being the strongest in the province.

Dungannon, however, have doubts hanging over Jeremy Hastings at number eight. Ian Dervan returns to the back row while Willie Dunne seems to have made a successful comeback since he broke ribs against Terenure back in February. Dungannon are particularly happy with the form of half-backs Ashley Blair and Stephen Bell, who both grabbed hat-tricks last week against North.

Neither Malone nor Queen's in the other semi-final have selected yet but of interest will be Malone's decision on scrum-half Neil Doak, also an Irish cricketer (who did not play yesterday in the Benson & Hedges Cup). Doak started the match last week against non-league Banbridge but Chris Shiels was brought on as a replacement for the last 15 minutes.

In Munster, Richie Daly will be available for selection for Sunday's Well against Young Munster, having served his rest time after concussion, while Sean McCahill awaits a progress report on a cut on his leg which became infected. The infection kept him out of last week's game against Cork Constitution.

Young Munster will be waiting to see if their open-side flanker Ger Farls can make it through a fitness test. Farls hurt his shoulder last week in the uninspiring game against Division Four side Richmond. Young Munster are also hopeful of hooker Mark Fitzgerald being able to line out.

Shannon, like opponents Garryowen, have not yet selected but they must wait to see if Pat Murray can make a return to full-back following a leg injury. Prop John Hayes is hopeful that a damaged muscle in his back is not too serious while out-half Jim Galvin's hamstring problem is cause for most concern. Galvin will wait until later in the week to make a final decision.

At the Sports Grounds on Sunday, both Ballina and Galwegians face into a Connacht Senior Cup final with a number of injuries. Promoted to Division Two this season, Galwegians hope that loose-head Pat Leahy can shake off a shoulder injury that has been nagging him while Barry Gavin, the interprovincial number eight, has a quadriceps muscle problem. Because of the injury, Gavin was forced to retire in the semi-final. In the back line, Pat Duignan is unavailable but no provision has yet been made for a replacement.

Ballina have four walking wounded and will juggle their side around when they see the extent of the damage later in the week. Scrum-half Michael Honan, number eight Paul Watkins, wing Ian McAndrew and Billy Duffy at prop all hope to play, while centre Micheal Sheehan is most doubtful, having been out for three weeks already with an ankle injury.

Galwegians coach Joe Healy will draw on his own experience from last year's final when he coached the underdogs Connemara in the final. Connemara narrowly lost out to Galwegians (9-6) on that occasion.

. St Mary's College yesterday announced their new coaching structure for next season now that former Irish captain Ciaran Fitzgerald's term has come to an end. Steve Hennessy, assisted by Hugh McGuire, will take over from Fitzgerald, who has been with the club for three years. Hennessy, a former club captain, has been involved in coaching at various levels in recent years while McGuire is also a former St Mary's player and a B international.