HOCKEY:YOU CANNOT help but think that Railway Union will have a bounce in their step this weekend. Ginger O'Brien and his family have been such a central part of the club for decades now the blinding success of the Ireland cricket team in India should permeate into the hockey section, where the family also ply their trade en masse.

The Park Avenue side have a busy weekend and like Pembroke, have two matches. In a tough schedule Railway must first travel to Alexandra College to face YMCA on Saturday before Pembroke Wanderers pop around the corner for a Sunday meeting.

YMCA were handy 5-2 winners when the sides met earlier in the season at Park Avenue.

Pembroke will also be hoping to claw back some lost ground on Glenanne, who have no game. Despite losing midweek to Monkstown, two wins for Pembroke against Corinthians on Saturday and then Railway would push them to the top of the table, although YMCA and Glenanne have games in hand.

Railway have had a steady season with their seventh place keeping them well away from the danger zone. But they will want to get something out of the matches especially if Fingal cause an upset and take the points against Monkstown. While that seems unlikely, last week’s defeat by Three Rock Rovers might cause Monkstown to question themselves.

But the season still holds opportunities for them both in the Irish Senior Cup, where they are the only Leinster team standing, and in the race for the league title.

Church of Ireland should have no problem maintaining their lead at the top of Munster Division One when they travel to take on Catholic Institute at Rosebrien on Saturday. Institute had a heavy defeat by UCC last weekend, and this week they could face a similar fate with John Jermyn and Nick Burns in good form in front of goal.

FIXTURES– Saturday – Leinster Senior League – Division one: YMCA v Railway Union, 7pm, Alexandra College; Fingal v Monkstown, 1.30, ALSAA; Pembroke v Corinthians, 3.30, Serpentine Ave; UCD v Weston, 1.15, Belfield. Munster Senior League – Division One: Catholic Institute v Church of Ireland, Rosbrien, noon.

Sunday – Leinster Senior League – Division one: Railway Union v Pembroke, 3.30, Park Avenue.