The proposed new world series has failed to germinate, so there is no urgency in deciding whether John Clarke or Trevor Watkins will be appointed as national coach.
Indeed, there is not a lot stirring on any front and the main thing is to keep club spirit thriving, generated of course by a strong element of cut and thrust at the top level of competition. It is debatable, though, whether the introduction in Leinster of three points for a win is a healthy measure. Notably, it can expose too great a gap between the powerful sides and those at the foot of the table. At least, the reward of two points for a score draw would provide an occasional source of comfort.
Tomorrow, it is unlikely that Dublin University can contain free-scoring Glenanne at St Mark's or that YMCA can hold leaders Pembroke Wanderers (particularly with Devin Donnelly back on duty) at Serpentine Avenue.
Monkstown, with Alastair Murdoch and Ian Stuart returning to the squad to bring the average age up to 19 years and 10 months, will provide sharp opposition for Corinthians at Rathdown.
Railway Union and UCD will also be well matched at Park Avenue, where the students may well earn their first point, and if the meeting of Three Rock Rovers and Avoca at Grange Road does not carry the prestige of recent seasons, the quality of play should still be admired.
Neither side has established consistency this term, with injuries to Angus Dunlop and Gary Ringwood causing blips for Rovers and the absence of leading figures continuing to weaken Avoca's hand. The fact, however, that Avoca beat Glenanne in the Stephen Doyle Trophy semi-final shows that they still have something to offer. David Hanna is set to resume tomorrow, if only to be involved in short-corner operations.
Tomorrow: Leinster Senior League Division One - Glenanne v Dublin University, St Mark's, 1.0; Monkstown v Corinthians, Rathdown, 1.30; Pembroke Wanderers v YMCA, Serpentine Avenue, 1.30; Railway Union v UCD, Park Avenue, 3.0; Three Rock Rovers v Avoca, Grange Road, 1.45; Division Two - Clontarf v Eastern Health, Dardistown, 11.30; Kilkenny v Carlow, Scanlon Park, 3.0; Portrane v St James's Gate, Dardistown, 12.45; St Brendan's/ Phoenix Park v Suttonians, 12.30.
