The £2.5 million pair of astroturf pitches at St Andrew's College, Booterstown, will be officially opened this evening with matches involving past and present pupils. Former Ireland goalkeeper Tommy Allen, the school's first international player, will perform the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, the indications are that Glenanne, Pembroke Wanderers and Corinthians will pull well clear of the pack in the Leinster Senior League over the next fortnight as they head for the run-in after Christmas for the three places in the all-Ireland play-offs.

Monkstown, who tackle Glenanne at St Mark's tomorrow and are at home to Pembroke on December 8th, can possibly make some dent in the situation.

Glenanne saved a point only at a late stage at Rathdown in the first match of the campaign, but, while they have picked up momentum, Monkstown have lost ground in recent weeks and will find it hard to achieve a breakthrough at Tallaght.

Three Rock Rovers cannot be expected to do any damage to Corinthians at Whitechurch Park tomorrow or away again to Pembroke on Sunday. Rovers, sturdily represented by Alan Bothwell in Leinster's colours this month, also have an assignment coming up against Glenanne.

There should be plenty of movement in Pembroke's game tomorrow against Trinity, who in losing to a UCD goal by Marcus Miller in midweek, failed to score for the first time this season. UCD, delighted by that reversal of the Mauritius Cup final, will be in buoyant spirits for their visit to Avoca. If YMCA are at full strength, Aer Lingus will do well to share the spoils at Ballinteer.