MEN'SHOCKEY/Irish Senior Cup, third round: Corinthians have never won the Irish Senior Cup and if they are to do so this season, they will have to put together one of their best performances of the year.
Bristling with attacking power, Corinthians have had some ill luck in the competition, notably last year when a penalty stroke competition denied them advancing.
Facing Annadale, now a powerhouse in Ulster, represents the toughest draw of the third round; Pembroke's away game against Banbridge and C of I's visit to Instonians are also up there as potential hazards for some of the favourite teams.
But with Annadale beating Lisnagarvey 2-0 at the weekend and currently topping the Ulster Senior League, Corinthians will look for a team performance with no leaks - a couple of easy goals against Pembroke in the Leinster league let them down.
"Annadale beat Garvey on Saturday. They are a good side. There's no doubt we'll need to be good on the day," said coach Johnny Cole. "We've got to make sure that we don't allow them to get cheap ball. We'll need everyone to play well."
Hoping Colin Stewart will be over his hamstring injury and James Benson firing, the Dublin side can win if their defence holds up against the likes of Chris Jackson and top-scorer Hamilton's short corners.
While Annadale have never won the trophy either, Pembroke and Banbridge have won it 13 times between them. Banbridge will have noted the danger of Justin Sherriff but Pembroke also need to tread carefully in front of a vocal home crowd.
Instonians are at home to Cork C of I. Again home advantage should even things up for the current champions. The difficulty for C of I is the adjustment to a higher pace than what they are used to.
Elsewhere Three Rock Rovers face a tough hike to Mossley while Trinity could upset Monkstown in Santry.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup: Third round: Banbridge v Pembroke Wanderers, Havelock Park, 2.45; Armagh v UCD, Ardmore, 2.30; Cookstown v UCC, Cookstown HS, 2.30; Cork Harlequins v Portrane, Harlequin Park, 1.30; Railway Union v Antrim, Teresian School, 1.30; Glenanne v Clontarf, St Mark's, 1.0; Lisnagarvey v Aer Lingus, Havelock Park, 1.0; Raphoe v North Down, Royal Prior, 2.30; Instonians v Cork C of I, Queen's, 1.0; YMCA v NICS, Wesley College, 2.0; Annadale v Corinthians, Lough Moss, 2.30; Trinity v Monkstown, Santry, 1.30; Mossley v Three Rock Rovers, The Glade, 2.30; Belvedere v Bangor, Ballincollig, 1.0; Cliftonville v Naas, Olympia LC, 2.30; Catholic Institute v Kilkeel, Rosbrien, 2.30. SUNDAY: Leinster under-21 Cup semi-finals: UCD v Dublin University, 1.30, YMCA v Corinthians, 3.0, both Serpentine Avenue.
