THERE might not quite be an ABM (Anyone But Muckross) faction in Leinster but it is evident, as the season moves into its second week, that there is a fierce determination amongst the club's chief rivals to end their domination of the league.
Hermes are one of the clubs with realistic title ambitions and they will receive an early-season examination when they travel to Rathdown tomorrow to take on the defending champions. Both teams began their campaigns last weekend by taking maximum points from their respective fixtures, but it was Muckross who fired an early warning to their rivals with a 6-0 victory over Glennane.
The absence of several key players, some of whom were on international duty in Edinburgh, rendered the 0-0 draw between the teams in a pre-season friendly earlier this month, effectively meaningless but Hermes might not be too disappointed with, a similar result tomorrow. Their manager, Joan Morgan, stresses the importance of not allowing, Muckross to build up an early points lead,
"It's very important that we don't lose to them, that we take something from the match, because it will, help everyone if we can take points off them at this stage, Muckross only lost to Old Alexandra in the league last season that's how strong they were, so we really need to do something against them tomorrow, said Morgan, whose team lost, both league fixtures and the Leinster Senior Cup semi-final to their great rivals last season.
Meanwhile Trinity, who did not play last week, take on Clontarf at Dardistown their first top-flight match in over a decade. Under the guidance of Dutch coach Rudolph Wortmann Trinity won promotion last season and, on paper at least, look well prepared for the challenge ahead of them.
Wortmann has put his connections in Holland to good use by setting up three friendlies for the team in Groningen next week but by then they will have hoped, to have made a successful Division One debut against a Clontarf that lost narrowly to Hermes last week.
Old Alexandra will try to follow up their impressive 3-0 victory, over Railway Union in their opening fixture with another win over Glenanne at Whitechurch Park, while Loreto will also be looking for their second victory of the season when they entertain Maids at Belfield. Pembroke and Railway Union meet at Serpentine Avenue, both looking for their first points.
The Ulster Senior League gets under way tomorrow with Irish Senior Cup, holders Pegasus beginning their campaign in Coleraine. It will be a big season for the premier club in March they travel to Utrecht, to play in the European Cup Winners Cup and in August at least six of their lineup should be members of the Irish squad that takes part in the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe.
