While awaiting the universities to return to action, it is the turn of Avoca and Aer Lingus to start their Leinster Senior League programme tomorrow when they meet at Rathdown. Two Australian brothers, Joe and Tully Moore, arrived in Dublin yesterday and go straight into an Avoca squad which also includes New Zealand international Michael Gunn. The player-coach is Trevor Dagg.

Aer Lingus, captained by David Bane, retain most of last season's side, apart from goalkeeper Nigel Grothier whose berth is filled by Shane Ellis from Corinthians. A valuable attacking recruit will be Brian Long from Cork Harlequins, who was capped by Cees Koppelaar some seasons ago.

Pembroke, bound for Zurich next May and who showed against YMCA that have the resources to make a strong defence of their all-Ireland title, are at home again tomorrow, this time to Monkstown who will be bolstered by the presence of Turlough O Siobhain. Incidentally, Ian Allen, who has had ankle ligament trouble, will be fit to travel on Monday with the Irish under-21s to the Junior World Cup tournament in Tasmania.

In Munster, Limerick HC make their Premiership debut away to Bandon while Waterford and Belvedere are hosts to Catholic Institute and Cork C of I, respectively.

It is fitting that the life of Noel Dagg - who died in Dublin last Friday aged 89 - will be remembered by the hockey fraternity, in particular, at a gathering at Three Rock Rovers next Thursday, October 4th (12.30).

Noel had a great interest in sport but his main involvement was in Three Rock. A skilful inside forward, he was skipper of the side which won the Irish Senior Cup in 1938-39, he was also club captain in 1947-48 and president from 1977-80.

A nephew of TSC Dagg, a pioneer figure in Irish hockey, there was no one more suited to the task of writing the history of the club (1893-1984) which marked Rovers' move from Londonbridge Road to Grange Road.