Ulster aiming for cup hat-trick

MEN'S HOCKEY:ULSTER ARE looking for their third Regiment Cup in a row at Grange Road over the weekend as they face Leinster tonight in the first of this weekend's Interprovincial series. With the women's and men's events in the senior and under-21s competition all taking place at the same venue, Grange Road will be quite a hive of activity over the three days.

Leinster last won the series in 2007 and Munster in 2005, so a win in tonight’s game for the home province seems like a must if they are to have ambitions of denying Ulster their hat-trick. Of course Ulster could have the trophy in the bag on Saturday if they win their opening two matches.

The under-21 teams will follow the same format and if all goes well for Ulster both senior and junior teams could be back on the bus for the journey home on Saturday. But Leinster should have ambitions. The home pitch at Three Rock Rovers and the fact that retired Irish stalwarts Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw are both playing should strengthen the side considerably. Traditionally the interprovincial tournament is a chance for the Irish coach to have a look at the best on offer and select an Irish squad from what he sees.

As Butler and Shaw have opted out of international duty (after committing to the interpro series) following distinguished Irish careers, they will be in attendance at Grange Road purely for competitive reasons. Many of the players are also looking towards the Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey league final run-in, where Pembroke, Lisnagarvey, Corinthians and Glenanne currently top the tables.

Today:Senior Men. Ulster v Leinster, 8.00pm Grange Road; Under 21s. Ulster v Leinster 6pm, Grange Road. Saturday Senior men. Ulster v Munster, 2pm Grange Road; Under 21s. Ulster v Munster, noon, Grange Road. Sunday Senior men. Munster v Leinster, 2pm Grange Road; Under 21s. Leinster v Munster, noon, Grange Road.