MEN'S HOCKEY:LEINSTER HOCKEY should expect added interest in Sunday's Leinster Senior Cup final between Monkstown and Pembroke as the Leinster Branch has given permission for the gate receipts to go towards "Friends of Chris Pelow" fund.
The 24-year-old Irish player recently underwent surgery in Australia to amputate one of his lower limbs in order to prevent the further spread of a very aggressive tumour (synovial sarcoma), which had developed in his foot. It is hoped the high costs of treatment and travel, which were not covered by insurance, can be offset in someway by the fund.
On the field Monkstown are clearly hoping for a double over the weekend as their win last week over Pembroke in Rathdown puts them in the position of needing just one point on Saturday against second-placed Glenanne to top the table. It’s a fitting end-game for the clubs, who have been jockeying for most of the season.
The cup final on Sunday, pushed back because of the Olympic Qualifying event in Belfield, takes place at Grange Road with Monkstown regrouping for a meeting with Pembroke. Pembroke need only cast their minds back to last Sunday when the sides met in Rathdown. They were a goal up with 15 minutes remaining when Richard Sykes converted two corners for the win.
Avoca secured their Division Two victory over Trinity and gained Division One status for next season also with late goals.
The 1996 Irish Senior Cup winners looked like they would be forced to go into their final game against Weston on Saturday to win the title when Trinity took a 2-0 lead at Newpark School and held it until 10 minutes to go. Avoca hit three goals in the final 10 minutes of play to close the deal.
Saturday: Leinster Senior League: Division one: Monkstown v Glenanne 2pm Rathdown; Corinthians v Fingal 2pm Whitechurch; YMCA v Pembroke Wanderers 2pm Alexandra College; Railway Union v Clontarf 2pm Park Avenue; UCD v Three Rock Rovers 2pm St Andrews College. Division two: Mullingar v Suttonians 2pm North Kildare; Weston v Avoca 2pm Griffeen Park; Rathgar v Portrane 2pm High School. Sunday: Leinster Senior Cup Final: Pembroke v Monkstown, Grange Road 2pm.
