Munster, in their centenary season, are aiming to take the interprovincial hockey laurels, to add to their only previous successes in 1965 and 1981, on the comfortable new pitch at Harlequin Park, Cork, this weekend.

Leinster, champions for three of the last four years, barely foiled Munster of a breakthrough at Garryduff last March when Anton Scott put away the winner 11 minutes from the end. Both sides defeated Ulster, which was unprecedented, and it can be expected that a strong Ulster brigade will make a total effort to recapture the title.

Munster, though, field the most settled side and have been preparing assiduously for this important challenge. Their traditional fire is bound to be exemplified by Alan Bateman, Nigel Buttimer, Alastair Dunne and Paul Lombard in particular.

Leinster will play shrewdly, maybe even in a relaxed manner, and may well be capable of striking fruitfully through Gordon Elliott and Colin Stewart, both of whom have exceptional pace.

Ulster, aware that places in John Clarke's Ireland training squad could be slipping from their grasp, are sure to respond with much determination, especially with Neil Cooke at the helm and Julian Stevenson buzzing around up front.

For the Shamrocks - for those who have graduated to senior ranks and those who will be continuing to gain further honours for Ireland at under-21 level - this will an occasion to unwind after their triumph in Padua and also to to be considered in Clarke's recruiting drive. A feature of the weekend will be the strong family bonds in hockey circles, with no fewer than six sets of brothers involved - the Batemans, Blacks, Dunnes, and the Chambers of Munster, Baileys of Monkstown and the Hendersons of Athy (and Pembroke).