Corinthians in confident mood

MEN'S HOCKEY:CORINTHIANS WON'T thank the draw for putting them up against Hillsborough's Lisnagarvey in the first round of the Irish Senior Cup, which starts this weekend. The Whitechurch side, however, will face their Ulster rivals, having disposed of Annadale last week in the Irish Hockey League, somewhat more easily than many would have predicted.

Lucas Piccioli, Chris Pellow and Neil Young drew most of the glory last week in the side’s encouraging 3-0 win in Belfast.

Last week Glenanne, who have been given a bye into the second round, drew 3-3 with Lisnagarvey in a rain-swept Dublin but may feel they were fortunate to have drawn the match as they finished with two men down.

But tomorrow the cup will offer a different competitive dynamic and Lisnagarvey will expect Tim Cockram to bring his usual goal-scoring ability. He hit two against Glenanne seven days ago, his first a solo effort from the half-way line that ended with a reverse-stick drill past goalkeeper Stephen Doran. But with Corinthians’ confidence rightfully inflated by last week’s rout in Belfast, Lisnagarvey know they are in for a tough game against the team that leads Pool A in the IHL.

Elsewhere, Monkstown, who were 6-3 winners over Instonians last week in the IHL, take on Bangor at Rathdown School, while YMCA face North Down. In both instances the Dublin sides have good reason to feel they will be in the hat on Saturday night when the draw for the second round is made.

Last Saturday YMCA went down 3-2 to Pembroke, who travel up to Coolnafranky to face Cookstown. It was a tight match in Serpentine Avenue, although YM’s Andy Walker will have been particularly pleased with his goal from around the penalty spot, delivered with some sang-froid.

On a mournful note, Leinster hockey this week marked with sadness the passing of John Gahan (43). The St Brendan’s player was a member of the club for 30 years, beginning on the grass pitch in Grangegorman at under-age level before going on to play Division One. He is survived by his wife Michelle and two children.

FIXTURES

IRISH SENIOR CUP: First round: Corinthians v Lisnagarvey, Whitechurch 1.30; Annadale v Railway Union, 2.30 Lough Moss; Cork C of I v Kilkeel, Garryduff 2.30; Banbridge v Cork Harlequins, Havlock Park 2.45; Cookstown v Pembroke, Coolnafranky 2.30; Monkstown v Bangor, Rathdown 1.30; Weston v Suttonians, Greffeen Valley 3.00; YMCA v North Down, Alexandra College, 1.15.

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE:

Division one: UCD v Glenanne, Belfield 4.15. Division two: Navan v Avoca, Kings Hospital 12.30; Dublin University v Rathgar Chiefs, Grange Road 3.00pm. Byes to round two-Bandon, Fingal, Glenanne, Instonians, NICS, Three Rock Rovers, UCD.

Second round draw to be made November 13th.