Crucial tie for Pembroke

Mens Hockey: After this weekend there is a hiatus in league fixtures due to the latter stages of the Irish Senior Cup and the interprovincial tournament scheduled for the weekend of February 28th in Ulster. Pembroke will need to sign off for three weeks with a win over UCD to set up what is expected to be a league-deciding tie against Corinthians in March.

While the students appear to be heading for one of the play-offs at the bottom of the table, the young side have on occasion played above themselves against stronger opposition. Two weeks ago they came within minutes of defeating Three Rock Rovers before three goals in the final 10 minutes pulled the match out of the fire for Rovers. Given Pembroke's malaise, UCD may feel they're getting the league leaders at a vulnerable time.

In Division Two, Suttonians and Clontarf meet at DCU for a top-of-the-table clash. Although Clontarf are likely to top the league, a dog-fight for second place involving Suttonians, Bray and Avoca is being fought out.

Elsewhere, in the Irish Junior Cup, the only Munster team remaining, Cork C of I, travel north on Saturday to play holders Lisnagarvey for a place in the semi-finals. C of I took a positive stance this year in that they targeted a strong run in this competition. That has been reflected in the team nominations with five first-team squad members "dropping down" for the game.

Richard Arnopp (Irish under-18), Andy Herbert (captain Irish under-18), Ken Twomey (Irish under-21), John Bruton (Irish under-16) and the highly-experienced Trevor Dunne all make the journey.

The Cork side also have some of the rising players in Munster with Alec Moffett (Munster under-18) and Jason Lynch.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

SATURDAY - Leinster Senior League Division One: Aer Lingus v YMCA, ALSAA, 1.30; Glenanne v Dublin University, St Marks, Tallaght, 1.30; Monkstown v Corinthian - postponed; TRR v Railway Union 1.0, St Teresian's School, Donnybrook; UCD v Pembroke Wanderers 1.30, Belfield. Division Two: Naas v Skerries 4:30, Our Lady's, Templeogue; Bray v Weston 1.0, Bray; Suttonians v Clontarf 2.0, DCU; St James' Gate v Portrane 3.0, Iveagh Grounds. Munster Senior League: Harlequins 2nds v Belvedere A, Farmers Cross 11.15; Harlequins 1st v UCC A The Mardyke, 11.30. Irish Junior Cup - Quarter-finals: Lisnagarvey v Church of Ireland, Laurelhill 2.30; Instonians v Annadale, Qub 2.99; Raphoe v Corinthians, Royal and Prior 2.30; Antrim v Cookstown, Antrim Forum 2.30.

SUNDAY - Leinster Senior League Division Two: St Brendan's v Avoca, DCU, 2.0.