Pegasus enter fray

HOCKEY:AFTER RECEIVING a bye into the second round, Pegasus begin their quest for three Irish Senior Cups in a row tomorrow when they take on Randalstown at the Antrim Forum, one of three all-Ulster ties in the last 16 of the competition.

It will be the clubs’ second meeting in eight days after their Irish Hockey League tie last Friday, when Randalstown came within a minute of snatching a draw, only for Kirsty McCollum to make it 3-2 for Pegasus.

Ulster Elks play hosts to Lisnagarvey at Jordanstown, and such has been their form it would be no great surprise if they got the better of opponents from a division above them. Lurgan, penalty-strokes winners over Catholic Institute in the first round, play Armagh, who will hope to put their IHL struggles behind them.

In Leinster, Loreto and UCD meet at Beaufort, a month after the students lost their league fixture 2-0 at the same venue. But they got back to winning ways midweek when they beat Trinity 2-0 to take the Colours title.

Glenanne, on the basis of their 5-0 league win over the same opponents last month, should progress at the expense of Corinthian, while Old Alexandra will need to be at their sharpest if they are to oust Leinster League leaders Railway Union at Park Avenue. Pembroke Wanderers will hope to use home advantage over Belfast Harlequins to put four Leinster sides through to the quarter-finals.

Church of Ireland, weather permitting, head north to face last season’s beaten finalists, Ballymoney.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday: Irish Senior Cup second round: Loreto v UCD, Beaufort, 2.0; Ulster Elks v Lisnagarvey, UUJ, 1.0; Railway Union v Old Alexandra, Park Avenue, 2.0; Randalstown v Pegasus, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Corinthian v Glenanne, Whitechurch, 3.0; Lurgan v Armagh, Brownlow, 2.30; Ballymoney v Church of Ireland, Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Belfast Harlequins, Serpentine Avenue, 3.30. Leinster League: Division One: Bray v Trinity, Bray, 12.30.