MEN'S HOCKEY: The Champions League in the stratosphere of European soccer gets a buzz of modest imagination going in hockey circles as the first-leg ties in quarter-finals of the All-Ireland Club Championship take place this weekend.
Possibly Lisnagarvey can most be compared to Chelsea as, in relative terms, they have the most talented team, ranging from Errol Lutton at the back, through Mark Raphael in midfield to Tim Cockram, their stylish striker.
Having won the Irish Senior Cup, they aim now to complete the double achieved by Instonians last season.
No doubt there will be a wholehearted attempt by Pembroke Wanderers to contain Lisnagarvey in their away tie at Banbridge tomorrow but it is frustrating for the Leinster champions that they cannot field their strongest side, with Gordon Elliott being the most notable absentee with his prolonged knee injury.
However, every effort is being made by Pembroke to have John Jermyn available to support his fellow international Ronan Gormley while Nigel Henderson can have a major influence on the outcome if he is ready to resume in goal.
It is going to take exceptional performances by each of the three Leinster teams to survive, though Aer Lingus, having reached this stage for the first time, could well have the impetus to surprise Banbridge on their visit to the airport.
A form guide is that Aer Lingus lost only by 1-0 to the Ulster champions, Annadale, in an away cup game and they finished their league programme strongly as Derek O'Gorman and David Bane asserted themselves.
Now Gerry Wheeler's side need to be alert to the dangers posed by Lee Tumilty and Eugene Magee.
As regards "tired", Glenanne, who face Cork Harlequins at Tallaght, they will be under severe pressure - unless they score early as was the case when they knocked the Munstermen out of the cup at Farmers Cross.
Harlequins, with the Black brothers and David Eakins raising the tempo, will have a fierce determination to be favourably placed for the return leg, yet Joe Brennan, Alan Browne and John Goulding could still cause some grief.
As it will be important for Cork to be well represented in the final stages of the championship at Garryduff, C of I can also be expected to put maximum effort into their quarter-final against Annadale.
Having Mark Ruddle back between the posts is a heartening factor for the home team tomorrow when it will be vital to keep Annadale's away goals to the minimum as, say, Ian Hamilton attempts to match the short-corner expertise of Ali Dunne.
TOMORROW
ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP - Quarter-finals (first leg) - Lisnagarvey v Pembroke Wanderers, Havelock Park, Banbridge, 2.30 (T Goode, G Caulwell); Aer Lingus v Banbridge, ALSAA, 2.0 (R Johnston, N Mackay); Cork C of I v Annadale, Garryduff, 2.30 (C Hutchinson, R McMinn); Glenanne v Cork Harlequins, Tallaght, 3.0 (W McCully, C McConkey).
SUNDAY
LEINSTER DIVISION 1/2 play-off: UCD v Dublin University, Serpentine Avenue, 12.0; Railway Cup final: YMCA II v Railway Union II, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0; Intermediate Cup final: Kilkenny II v Pembroke Wanderers III, Serpentine Avenue, 4.0.
