MEN'S HOCKEY: There is no doubt the mood at Monkstown's home game against Glenanne on Saturday at St Andrew's will be sombre. The Irish Senior Cup match, which was due to be played before Christmas, was postponed following the tragic death of Gerry McCabe the day before the game was due to take place.

Gerry, a highly regarded coach, was in charge of Monkstown this season but also had a close association with Glenanne - in his playing days he captained the club to an Irish junior Cup win. While Gerry's spirit will be very much in evidence, the tie ought to be a tough, if emotional, affair.

Glenanne's meeting with UCD was postponed last weekend, which gave a number of their side the opportunity to watch Monkstown against Three Rock Rovers at St Andrew's.

That Glenanne hit five goals against UCD on Wednesday night in the refixed match ought to give them confidence going into the game. The team also welcomes back two figures who did not play in the Neville Cup final on St Stephen's Day - Ciarán Bolger and Mark Lambe. Lambe broke a thumb playing against Avoca in November.

Monkstown, despite losing 1-0 to Rovers last week, showed promise but are looking for a little more impact up front. Goalkeeper Gordon Clarke answered all questions put to him while Ian Allen and Gareth Watkins narrowly failed to find the net. Glenanne are slightly ahead in the league table but not so much to suggest that the game should be anything but closely contested.

Elsewhere in the league, the focus will fall on run-away leaders Rovers. They face YMCA while Corinthians take on Pembroke at Whitechurch Park. A win for Corinthians would move them a few rungs up the table, although Rovers' 12-point margin gives them a very comfortable look at this point in the season.