Rock v Wanderers winner takes it all

MEN'S HOCKEY COLUMN: IN A WINNER-takes-all scenario, Three Rock Rovers make the short journey to Serpentine Avenue, where they meet Pembroke Wanderers in a match that will decide the 2008 Leinster Senior League title.

With Three Rock Rovers on 46 points from 17 games and Pembroke just one point behind from the same number of matches, the home side have to go for the win. Anything else would mean that Rovers carry off the title to Grange.

But Rovers will still be hoping to do what no other side has done this season and that's beat the Irish Senior Cup finalists on their home turf. Pembroke have a 100 per cent record at Ballsbridge in the league. That said, Rovers have an enviable record away from home and, according to the Leinster Hockey website, have won all eight of their away matches so far. Pembroke's point slippage has come about from their three away draws, while Rovers have lost a match and drawn a match.

The visitors are still in doubt over the fitness of midfielder Andrew McDonnell, who has yet to fully recover from an ankle injury sustained in the St Patrick's Day Leinster Senior Cup final. While Rovers are leading the table, it is hard not to say that Pembroke are the marginal favourites to carry off the silverware.

Last time the teams met, Pembroke won 4-1 at Grange Road.

Pembroke's opponents in the Irish Cup final, Monkstown, are also involved in a fraught match against UCD for a fourth place that would secure a slot in next season's All-Ireland League. Monkstown are level with Fingal, both on 30 points.

Fingal, however, face third- placed Glenanne, which appears to give Monkstown the easier assignment as the students are second from the bottom of the table. However, with Glenanne safe as well as the team missing top goal scorer Stephen Butler, Fingal might just see a chink in the armour.

In Munster, Harlequins and Cork C of I play their most important league game of the year at 2pm at Farmers Cross. Harlequins are currently three points adrift of Cork C of I and a win will result in a league play-off match for the title. Anything else will see Cork C of I take the title.

FIXTURES: Saturday: Leinster Senior League Division One- YMCA v Bray, 1pm, Claremont Road; UCD v Monkstown, 3pm, Belfield; Fingal v Glenanne, 3pm, ALSAA; Kilkenny v Corinthian, 2pm, Kilkenny; Pembroke v Three Rock Rovers, 2pm, Serpentine Avenue. Division Two- Avoca v Skerries, 1pm, Newpark; Clontarf v Suttonians, 2pm, Mount Temple School; Navan v Weston, 1pm, Sportslink Centre; Railway Union v PSBPP, 2.30pm, Park Avenue.

Sunday: Neville Cup final- Skerries v Suttonians, 12.30pm, Serpentine Avenue.

Railway Cup final- Railway Union v Pembroke, 2.30pm, Serpentine Avenue;

Minor Cup final- Kilkenny v Fingal, 4.30pm, Serpentine Avenue.