HOCKEY/MEN'S IRISH SENIOR CUP: When Glenanne edged out Cork Harlequins (2-1) in the Irish Senior Cup semi-final last season, it was seen as the veritable decider - though ultimately Glenanne needed to stretch themselves to shake off YMCA's challenge in the final.
Now the competition is much fiercer entering the semi-final stage, the pairings for which will be known after tomorrow's Glenanne-Harlequins fifth-round tie.
The line-ups at Tallaght are virtually the same as a year ago, which is a help to Harlequins as they will not be returning to such an unfamiliar scenario. Yet, it may not even be favourable to score first as they threatened to do through David Eakins in the last meeting, for Glenanne - undefeated in 26 matches this season (although taken to the wire by Monkstown in the Mills Cup last Sunday) - have a tremendous record of fighting back.
The Munstermen will know that a key element will be to cut off Glenanne's main supply line by subduing Stephen Butler in midfield. Jason Black or Paul Lombard may take on this role, while John Hobbs and Wesley Bateman will be ready to face up to the probing of Graham Shaw and the quick-firing John Goulding. Overall, however, the Dubliners are so streetwise that they can come up with a range of options that will be hard to suppress.
If the Leinster champions prevail, there will be the remarkable feature that the four clubs going into tomorrow's draw for the semi-finals on March 23rd will have won the last four finals - Glenanne (2001), Pembroke Wanderers (2000), Cork C of I (1999) and Instonians (1998).
Pembroke have their sights on a double as the second XI take on Annadale II in the Irish Junior Cup decider at Serpentine Avenue. It is a pity that this match is eclipsed by the game at Tallaght. Kenny Morris spearheads a strong Annadale side while Pembroke can count on such valuable figures as Stephan Stewart (who scored in the elimination of Annadale in last weekend's senior quarter-final) and Dougie Good to strike in defence of the trophy.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup (quarter-final) - Glenanne v Cork Harlequins, St Mark's, 2.0 (G Quail, A Groves). Irish Junior Cup final - Pembroke Wanderers II v Annadale II, Serpentine Avenue, 2.30 (D Stewart, P Murphy). Leinster Senior League - Division One: Avoca v Monkstown, Rathdown, 1.45; Dublin University v Aer Lingus, Santry, 1.30
ANNADALE II: J Moore, S Chisholm; P Pollock, S Wilson (capt), K Patterson, P Childs, M Kendall, I Lewers, S Galway, J McDermott, K Morris, S Dickson, R Herron, J Steele, M Kendall, P Jackson or C Lemon; Coach: R Smyth; Manager: J Tormey.
PEMBROKE WANDERERS II: S Doran, M Connellan; A Thompson, M Tijs, A Cooke, P Priestly (capt), I Battle, A Alipour, P Good, S Stewart, B Dunne, U McGranaghan, S Atkinson, D Good, M Hunt, A Smyth; Coach: D Sullivan; Manager: S Watchorn.
