Surprise package Monkstown may turn a few more heads

MEN'S HOCKEY:IF THE season had gone as most expected it to go, we would be watching either Three Rock Rovers or Lisnagarvey play against Pembroke in tomorrow's Irish Senior Cup final. That Monkstown have shuffled two of the principal contenders aside augurs well for the season's climax at Belfield. Given that the 'Town's under 16s were also successful this season, it bodes well for their future, too.

Monkstown's elevation has turned more than a few heads. Having firstly despatched Leinster League Champions, Three Rock Rovers, by a goal, their semi-final draw to travel to Hillsborough and meet Lisnagarvey seemed a journey taken more in hope than expectation. Once again the club that has not held the trophy since 1914 made fools of all with an against-the-odds 3-2 win, Ian Allen grabbing two of those and Gareth Watkins the other.

Pembroke go into the game with quite a pedigree and to outsiders have the most balanced team of the two. Their fear may be that Monkstown have built up a momentum from their giant-killing run and the possibility that they could add a third scalp is much more than a remote possibility.

The favourite tag will also bring stress and Pembroke go into the game knowing that last week they could not produce enough against Rovers in a one-off match to win the league title. Where a victory would have handed them the Leinster league, the 3-3 draw allowed Rovers gain something from the year.

Pembroke last won the cup in 2000, but given their strength and depth they would consider that return disappointing. Their strike power of Justin Sherriff, Alan Sothern, John McInroy and Gordon Elliott, backed up by a strong midfield and defence, has handed them an enviable scoring with 83 goals scored and 17 conceded 17. That's a remarkable set of stats for a team to come second.

But Monkstown's fourth finish in the league to qualify for next season's All Ireland competition and their place in the final tomorrow is proof enough that if things go their way they can tough it out and upset even the best of sides. Allen, Watkins, Brian Groves, Czech international Filip Jaros and of course the heroics of goalkeeper, Davy Fitzgerald, whose performances has regularly lifted this team, will all add their weight to what would be a hat-trick of upsets not seen for many years.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday-  Irish Senior Cup final - Monkstown v Pembroke, Belfield, 2.30. Munster Senior Cup final:Harlequins v Cork C of I, Farmer's Cross 2.00.