Fingal look for an upset

HOCKEY LEINSTER SENIOR CUP FINAL:ANOTHER FRENETIC St Patrick's Day at Grange Road should serve up the usual spirited final day atmosphere.

One of the more popular events on the Leinster hockey calendar, Fingal will step into the lion’s den with Pembroke for the Leinster Cup final and carry with them the usual gutsy underdog hopes of pulling off a shock win.

The fact that the Pembroke women’s team are also in the final could make the occasion one of those tears of joy or tears of despair occasions for the club. Still with the boy’s under-16 final also being fought a few thousand ought to wander through the gates at Three Rock Rovers.

Fingal had their Leinster Cup chance three years ago against Glenanne but couldn’t close the deal. But they arrive on the back of a win over Glenanne last week, which should provide some sort of platform for optimism.

The north Dublin club has never won a senior trophy, while Pembroke has dominated the Irish landscape for the past number of seasons and more than any other team has provided international players to Ireland.

Pembroke also have a date with the European Hockey League (EHL) at Easter, which is a significant step up in standard and go into the match needing to prove that the team matches up to the sum of the parts, something that has been in some doubt in recent months.

Hot favourites to bring another piece of silverware to Serpentine Avenue, it is far from a processional final, even for a sparkling side like Pembroke.

Leinster Cup Final: Pembroke v Fingal, Grange Road 3.30pm;

Leinster Under 16 final: Corinthians v Monkstown, Grange Road 11.30am.