THE peace process (and no Rule 21 in hockey circles) allows the RUC second XI to visit Dublin tomorrow for an Irish Junior Cup tie against Corinthians II, who have arranged an enthusiastic reception at Whitechurch Park. It will be the RUC's first appearance in a competitive match in Leinster.
The open draw was introduced in the all Ireland cup competitions in 1980. But when RUC teams were drawn away to clubs in the Republic, they opted not to travel and withdrew. A number of Leinster sides, though, played the RUC at their Newforge Lane grounds in Belfast, including the Corinthians first XI, who lost 2-1 in the senior competition in 1983.
However, because of not being able to fulfil their engagements if drawn to play outside Northern Ireland, the RUC ceased entering both competitions. This season, they returned and the first XI was eliminated by Antrim in the opening round of the Senior Cup. In the Junior Cup, there is a weeding out process at provincial levels, as a result of which 16 teams enter the all Ireland stage. The RUC qualified by beating Mossley II in a replay.
Several members of the team played for the side which won the British Police Championship for the third season in a row (and 10th in 16 years) in Norfolk, beating Metropolitan Police 3-1 in the final.
Sir Hugh Annesley, Chief Constable of the RUC, takes a keen interest in the game, particularly in attending representative matches in Ulster. He gained a Leinster Schools Minor Cup medal when a pupil of Avoca School, Blackrock, in the 1950s.
Co incidentally, the RUC won the Irish Junior Cup for the only time in 1952, apparently with little travelling involved. It is not expected that the trophy can be recaptured this year. Indeed, a defeat by Corinthians is on the cards, for the home side are among the stronger junior teams in Leinster, with Ian Walshe, Dave Griffin and Dave McFeely to the fore. The coach is David Stanley, who was the captain when Corinthians last made contact with the RUC in the aforementioned Belfast match in 1983.
Other Junior Cup pairings tomorrow include Glenanne II's defence of the title (without Tom Goode and Gerry McCabe) against Holywood II, while Pembroke II and Monkstown II also have inviting home ties against Harlequins II and Newry Olympic, respectively.
However, it's the Irish Senior Cup third round replay involving Glenanne and Holywood which carries most prestige tomorrow in the double bill at St Mark's, Tallaght. Dubliners Ian Bolger and Frankie Byrne, who were injured in last Saturday's Belfast game, hope to be fit to resume. Goalkeeper Ian Clarke who, with his opposite number Kyle Thompson, played a significant role in the scoreless draw, has since had flu but is determined to face up again to Kenny Morris.
Although under 21 interprovincial Alan Browne will be missing from the Glenanne lineup, as he has won a skiing holiday in Austria, there is considerable youthful depth in the squad. Yet, such vastly experienced figures as Billy McConnell, John McKee and Morris may keep Holywood afloat in another absorbing match.
Somewhat eclipsed is the Leinster Senior League top of the table joust between Three Rock Rovers and Avoca at Grange Road. The sides drew 1-1 at the start of the campaign but Avoca now look lean enough to win, particularly if Robbie Ryan, Galahad Goulet and Rory Kirwan attack from all angles. Anthony O'Neill and Angus Dunlop may not be able to hold them out this time, though there is a stout unbeaten record to be maintained.
If Rovers were to go under, Railway Union remarkably could find themselves in second place. Railway, though, cannot be sure of beating Carlow at Park Avenue, having dropped a point on their visit to the midlands earlier in the season. Leinster trialist Neville Kavanagh, particularly, may test the home defence.
