North-South clash the pick of cup crop

MEN'S HOCKEY:PICK OF the weekend in the second round of the Irish Senior Cup is Lisnagarvey's arrival at Alexandra College where they face in-form YMCA, who continue to lead the Leinster Senior League. The second-round match brings together the top sides in both the Ulster and Leinster league tables, Lisnagarvey leading Banbridge by just one point up North, and YMCA holding their familiar place on the Leinster table despite a four-goal midweek win by Glenanne over Weston.

Arguably YMCA are the side to beat in Dublin these days but the pedigree of three-times winners and current holders of the cup Glenanne as well as Annadale’s reputation in Ulster should also ensure that a couple of the heavyweight teams make a departure after this round.

However, while Annadale have been powerful in the past, this season has not suggested they are probable champions and sit in seventh place in the table with just two wins from six matches played. Glenanne should like the look of this one.

The future of Banbridge appears more certain as they arrive to Weston, who will do well to hold the visitors, while Fingal will fancy their prospects as they face struggling Three Rock Rovers at Grange Road.

Rovers are looking for the spark this season and you would have fancied them in the past, but not this time with the match shaping up to be tightly wound.

Monkstown face a difficult journey to Mossley but not without hope of making life at least difficult for the home side in The Glade. Mossley are mid-table in Ulster with Monkstown similarly placed in Leinster.

There is just one fixture this weekend in the Leinster Senior League, and it sees the progressively-stronger Railway Union hosting Corinthian on Saturday. The sides drew when they met back in October, and they are separated by just one point in the middle two places in the table, Railway having played one game more.

Both will be targeting IHL qualification for next season, and there appears to be little to choose between them.

Last weekend Railway suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at home to YMCA, while Corinthian’s last outing was an encouraging win against rivals Rovers.

FIXTURES – SATURDAY: Men’s Irish Senior Cup Round Two – YMCA v Lisnagarvey, Alexandra College, 3.15; NICS v Bandon, Stormont, 1.0; Weston v Banbridge, Griffeen Valley, 3.00; Fingal v TRR, ALSAA, 2.30; Mossley v Monkstown, The Glade, 2.30; Instonians v UCD, Shaws Bridge, 1.0; Glenanne v Annadale, Glenanne Park, 2.45. Irish Senior Cup Round One – Cork C of I v Kilkeel, Garyduff, 2.0. Leinster Senior League: Division one – Railway v Corinthians, Park Avenue, 1.15.

SUNDAY – Leinster Senior Cup: Fingal v Monkstown, ALSAA, 2.30; Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke Wanderers,Grange Road. 2.30; Glenanne v Railway Union, Glenanne Park, 2.0; Corinthian v UCD, Whitechurch, 12.30.