Railway need to retain their focus

MEN'S HOCKEY: RAILWAY UNION are quietly making progress in the Leinster Senior league. But the visit of YMCA to Park Avenue, a venue familiar to YM coach Trevor Dagg, should test the mettle of the home side who are in contention for an Irish Hockey League place if they can keep momentum flowing.

YM arrive on Saturday on the back of a high-scoring win last week against UCD. The 5-4 result wasn’t exactly what they had envisaged against the struggling students, who have not won in seven matches but the Sandymount side – or the Sandymount side who are current tenants in Alexandra College – are still two points clear at the top and ahead of Glenanne. The Glens could only manage 3-3 draw against Fingal last week and have no league fixture this weekend.

Railway sit in fifth place on the table with their match against YM and Three Rock Rovers’ refixed game against Weston the only league games this weekend.

Railway have already carved out a reputation for being defensively durable and from their seven games they have drawn more than they have won or lost. Last week’s 2-2 finish with Monkstown in Rathdown was their fourth draw of the league season.

Weston visit Three Rock Rovers desperate for something to click for them but they are up against a team thinking exactly the same thing.

Rovers lost 3-2 to neighbours Corinthians last weekend and find themselves in seventh place on the table. That won’t go down too well around Grange Road but the home side ought to be confident of picking up just their second win of the season against the bottom side in the league.

In Munster, the joint leaders Cork Harlequins and Cork Church of Ireland should extend their lead on the chasing pack when they face Catholic Institute and Cork Harlequins B respectively.

Catholic Institute travel to Farmers Cross to meet Harlequins on the back of a crushing 7-1 defeat last week, while Harlequins showed no mercy after brushing aside C of I’s second string 10-1. Harlequins B will entertain C of I in what is also expected to be a one-sided affair.

It is also another big day in the Irish Junior Cup, which moves into round two of the competition with 16 teams remaining. Glenanne, YMCA and Railway Union each have home draws in Dublin, with Railway’s meeting with Railway at Park Avenue the principal Dublin derby.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday – Leinster Senior League, Division One: YMCA v Railway Union, Park Avenue TBA; Weston v Three Rock Rovers, Grange Road, TBA. Irish Junior Cup, round two: Bangor v Mossley, Ballykilliare, 2.30; Lisnagarvey v Monkstown, Hillsborough, 1pm; Glenanne v NICS, Glenanne Park, 3.30; Cork HQ v North Down, Harlequin Park, 1pm; YMCA v Three Rock Rovers, Alexandra College, 3.30; Banbridge v Bandon, Havelock Park 2.30; Railway Union v Pembroke Park, Avenue 1pm; Annadale v Corinthian, Loug Moss 1pm.