Spotlight falls on Munster

Men's Hockey:The focus of the fourth round of the Irish Senior Cup clearly falls on Munster as neighbours Cork C of I and Cork Harlequins face each other in a Cork showdown.

Okay then, Dublin supporters will be looking at the meeting between Three Rock Rovers and Pembroke in Grange Road as their piece of Saturday action but in Cork, the reigning champions, Harlequins, could come under serious pressure.

C of I and Harlequins have been at the cutting edge in Munster for some years now, with Harlequins, perhaps, taking a slight edge in recent meetings, although in the Christmas Peard Cup final it was C of I who came through 4-3 in Golden Goals. As well as that, the match is being staged on the water-based pitch in Garryduff, which means C of I will fancy their chances in the one-off meeting.

It is believed that upwards of 1,000 tickets have been bought for the game of the season in Cork.

Ideally, Harlequins' women would not be playing against Loreto at Farmer's Cross on the same day but high expectations are in place for both sides.

The match could revolve around set- pieces with David Eakins, who commutes from Britain for the big matches, still one of Harlequins' main figures alongside John Hobbs, while for C of I, Ireland's John Jermyn has illustrated he is one of the best in the country at the drag flick end of the move along with Glenanne's Stephen Butler. Expect goals in this meeting.

Butler, naturally, will be asked to contribute in that set-piece area, when his side travel to Belfast for their match against Belfast Harlequins in the Grafton Arena in a match that is well within their grasp. They will, though, meet doughty resistance there.

Rovers' hopes will also be high but they must go into their match against high scoring Pembroke as certain underdogs. Pembroke have players like Gordon Elliott, Justin Sherriff and Alan Sothern who have the ability to turn the match in their favour. Home advantage will count for something but this is a huge ask for Rovers.

Elsewhere, Bray have a tough assignment away to Cookstown and if they come back with a win should be given the freedom of the town. Railway Union, too, are facing a tough test as Annadale, one of the stronger Ulster sides, visit Park Avenue.

IRISH SENIOR CUP:Fourth round: (2.30 unless stated): Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke, Grange Road 1pm; Banbridge v UCD, Havelock Park; Belfast Harlequins v Glenanne, Deramore 1pm; Lisnagarvey v Kilkeel, Hillsborough; Cookstown v Bray, Coolnafranky; Cork C of I v Cork Harlequins, Farmer's Cross; Railway Union v Annadale, Park Avenue; Raphoe v Mossley, Raphoe.