Harlequins hope to kick-start season

WEEKEND HOCKEY:CORK HARLEQUINS, under new coach Phil Oakley, will hope they can get their Irish Hockey League moving when they travel north to Banbridge as the second round of the national competition kicks in this weekend.

Harlequins went down to Pembroke in their opening game while Banbridge drew away to Instonians. But tomorrow’s meeting will be important for the Cork side to generate some momentum in Pool B as well as helping them to get off the bottom of the table.

Leaders of the pool Pembroke are engaged in one of the more interesting matches of the day. In a Dublin derby, they host the in-form YMCA at Serpentine Avenue. It’s an important meeting for both clubs as the visitors are second in the pool on three points and will have aspirations to keep that moving.

Pembroke will expect to rise to the challenge having just returned from Europe, where they played their way into the last 16. For that they hold the favourite status. YMCA also arrive with a couple of players – Will Powderly and Cliff Bailey – out of the match.

Monkstown and Gareth Watkins host Ulster side Instonians at Rathdown and depending how other results go a win could easily launch them back into pool contention, especially with the losing and winning bonus-point system in operation.

Pool A is an altogether tighter affair as Hillsborough side Lisnagarvey hold a slender lead at the top. With three points, they are just one ahead of Glenanne, Corinthians, Cookstown and Annadale. Cork C of I are the only club yet to get off the ground.

The big game here tomorrow is Glenanne’s meeting with Lisnagarvey at Glenanne Park with the winning team most likely to lead the table after the weekend. Home advantage will play a part but it’s a match the Dublin team will treat with caution, with players like Tim Cockhram and the talented Jason Lynch on board.

Annadale should look forward to welcoming Corinthians to Lough Moss.

Both teams are on two points and as both are attacking sides there could be plenty of goalmouth action. It will be an experience for Annadale’s young players with Andy Williamson and the two Edgar brothers, William and John, in particular displaying attacking flair this season. A high-scoring draw perhaps.

WEEKEND FIXTURES:Pool B – Banbridge v Cork Harlequins, Havlock Park 2.30; Pembroke v YMCA, Serpentine Avenue, 3.00; Monkstown v Instonians, Rathdown 3.00. Pool A – Cookstown v Cork C of I, Coolnafranky 2.30; Glenanne v Lisnagarvey, Glenanne Park 2.30; Annadale v Corinthians, Lough Moss 2.30. Leinster Senior League, Division Two – Clontarf v Bray, Mount Temple 2.00; Avoca v Trinity, Newpark 1.45; Rathgar Chiefs v Suttonians, High School 1.00.