MEN'S HOCKEY: Pembroke have been frustrated in finding the form that has won them so much over the past few years, this weekend's meeting with Three Rock Rovers could not have come at a better time for a side searching for a big win.
Their Leinster Senior Cup match at Serpentine Avenue against the league leaders looks like the pick of the bunch, although, given YMCA's hard- earned draw with Rovers in the title race last weekend, their opponents, Glenanne, are bound to approach that match at Wesley College with caution.
Rovers, of course, may have been chastened by YMCA's determination last week but they are clearly the team in Leinster riding the form while Pembroke have been experiencing problems in front of goal and have let slip a couple of games that last season would have been in the bag.
"We've been losing by fine margins and on occasion the luck has not been with us but we've been playing well at home," said Pembroke and Ireland goalkeeper Nigel Henderson.
Having lost five of their starting 11 since last season including goal scorer Justin Elliott, Pembroke also face Rovers without captain Duncan McKeen, who is likely to be out for a few weeks with a back problem that forced him off the field last week against Corinthians. As a result Ireland and former Rovers' striker Gordon Elliott takes over the arm band.
Glenanne will have to face YMCA without John Goulding, who scored twice against Monkstown last week in the Irish Senior Cup. Goulding broke his nose in a freak accident following a shot which rebounded off the goalkeepers pads and straight into his face. Paul Fitzpatrick is also very doubtful with a calf injury.
Elsewhere Railway Union face St Brendan's while Trinity host Corinthians at Santry just a week after an encouraging 2-1 win over Pembroke.
TOMORROW
Leinster Senior Cup Railway Union v St Brendan's 2.30pm Park Avenue; Pembroke Wanderers v Three Rock Rovers 12.15pm Serpentine Avenue; YMCA v Glenanne 2.00pm Wesley College; Dublin University v Corinthians 1.00pm Santry Tuesday Leinster Senior League, Division 1 Corinthians v YMCA 7.45pm Whitechurch Park
