Men's Hockey/Leinster Senior League: An indication of how strong a challenge Monkstown can mount for Pembroke Wanderers' Leinster Senior League title should surface tomorrow when the sides meet at Booterstown.
At the start of the season, Monkstown rallied from 3-1 down to gain a 3-3 draw at Serpentine Avenue and now, with home advantage, they may be capable of seizing the initiative.
With the captain and play-maker Cliff Bailey receiving sturdy midfield support from David Jenkins and Michael Trounce, opportunities could well be relished by Monkstown's main striker, Gareth Watkins.
John Jermyn, though, can be equally prolific for Pembroke, while Maurice Elliott is also becoming a figure to require close attention - almost as much as his brother Gordon.
Monkstown may have a slight edge in defence, especially if Eoin O'Connor maintains his good form at centre back but, initially, sharp concentration by the back four will be important while David Fitzgerald, the St Andrew's College goalkeeper, settles in as understudy to Aszal Sididique, who has gone home to California for Christmas.
Stephen Doran, incidentally, continues to fly in from Wales each weekend to deputise between the Pembroke posts for the injured Nigel Henderson. Doran's assertiveness could be a significant factor tomorrow, perhaps in making it another draw, in which case Monkstown would stay two points behind Pembroke.
Meanwhile, joint leaders Glenanne can break clear again by beating Railway Union, through the finishing touches of John Goulding and Joe Brennan, at Park Avenue. A win is also on the cards for Aer Lingus, who share third place with Monkstown, at home to Clontarf in a northside derby.
Surprisingly, Clontarf snatched a 1-1 draw in their September league meeting and edged out an understrength Aer Lingus team in the Mills Cup as well as eliminating NICS in the Irish Senior Cup. Now, though, they can hardly expect to contain the airport side, particularly with David Bane in commanding form.
In the mid-table game at Whitechurch Park, Corinthians take on YMCA, seeking consolation for their unfortunate elimination by Bangor at all-Ireland level.
Similarly, Three Rock Rovers, for whom Alan Bothwell and Colin Huet stood up particularly stoutly to Harlequins, may feel mature enough to take full points from Trinity's visit.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday - Leinster Senior League: Division One: Monkstown v Pembroke Wanderers, St Andrew's, 1.30; Aer Lingus v Clontarf, ALSAA, 1.30; Three Rock Rovers v Dublin University, Grange Road, 3.0; Corinthians v YMCA, Whitechurch Park, 1.0; Railway Union v Glenanne, Park Avenue, 3.0. Division Two: St James's Gate v Naas, Iveagh Grounds, 2.0; Avoca v Skerries, Newpark, 1.30; Suttonians v St Brendan's, Sutton Park, 2.30; Portrane v Bray, Dardistown, 1.0; Weston v UCD, Kings Hospital, 1.30.
Sunday - Leinster Under-21 Cup final: Monkstown v Dublin University, Serpentine Avenue, 3.0.
