IT SEEMS that a mass of wires have been crossed in attempting to find a suitable date for the Leinster Senior League back fixture between Railway Union and Three Rock Rovers, due to be played at Park Avenue. While pace setting Rovers turned up there on Wednesday night and may claim the points because of the home team's non appearance, it would not be the ideal way to resolve the problem.

Both captains, for example, will be available next week, with Barry Merriman back from the US to take his place critically in the Railway goal and, equally vitally, Liam Canning (not yet taking his spring break) remaining free to spearhead the Three Rock attack. A general feeling is that sense and sensibility should prevail and that the fixtures committee can still rearrange the league's remaining matches to everyone's satisfaction. Congestion is a factor, with Avoca still chasing Rovers for the title also involved, but there is little reason why the domestic season should not stretch to a degree into mid April.

No doubt, Leinster officials and players will engage in much debate on the matter in Cologne over the weekend, when the senior squad take on three Bundesliga sides in preparation for the Interprovincial Championship.

The most stimulating competition, though, will be in the Home Countries youth championships at Livingston in Scotland, where the Ireland under 18s must be in with a good shout of wresting the honours from England. Ranging from John Ahern and Clarke Kennedy at the back to the front line trio of just in Sherriff, Graham Shaw and Garry Ringwood, the talent appears to be there to enjoy success.