The first official European under-18 and under-16 championships, in Belfast and Antwerp at Easter, will add spice to the youth interprovincial tournament at Newtown, Waterford, this weekend.

Munster, including 10 members of the Ashton squad which won the allIreland schools' trophy a month ago, may well have the best blend in the senior competition and will build strongly from the back through Karl Burns and John Hobbs. However, accomplished attackers Peter McConnell and Alan Giles for Leinster and Ian Hutchinson and Ian Hamilton for Ulster (the title holders) should ensure that all six games are openly contested.

The under-16s promise to be equally well-matched, though Munster, having taken the honours last season, will be starting afresh and Leinster look well equipped. Equally, Ulster, whose representatives took the title in the inaugural championship at this level at the same venue in 1984, may well add to their list of successes.

On more mature fields, the Leinster Senior League starts its second phase tomorrow. Notably, Avoca and Three Rock Rovers, who drew 2-2 at the start of the campaign, renew rivalry at Rathdown. YMCA, still needing a change in fortune, must face up again to Pembroke Wanderers with a side hit by injury including goalkeeper Greg Finn, who is replaced by Neil Quail, formerly of Cork C of I and Belvedere.