YMCA keen to make amends

MEN'S HOCKEY: YMCA WILL be keen to get back in action after Glenanne fairly rattled them 6-2 midweek in the semi-final of the Neville Cup. Going 4-0 down in Glenanne Park isn't the YMCA that have been bristling so far this season, so Corinthians will travel to Claremont Road wary of the wounded home side in the resumption of the Leinster Senior League.

Not a great deal of hockey has been played over the past few weeks with most of the teams on just five league matches. That usually militates against the stronger sides that run deep into cup competitions and very often find themselves squeezing in league matches at the tail end of the season. In that light points on the board now are at a premium and with YMCA topping the table on goal difference and Glenanne and Pembroke behind them – all on 13 points – it is still all very tight going into the new year.

Pembroke will be thinking similar thoughts to YMCA as they nip around the corner to face Railway Union. Again Pembroke’s 5-1 defeat to Monkstown in the other midweek Neville Cup semi-final is something of an aberration.

While Pembroke’s three South African players have returned home for Christmas, or maybe permanently as there is uncertainty to their plans, Railway may well feel that the home advantage, their good form and Pembroke’s relative weakness may all add up to a favourable result.

Monkstown’s match against UCD has been postponed as the students have exams.

WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday – Leinster Senior League, Division One: YMCA v Corinthian, Claremont Road, 3.0pm; Glenanne v Weston, Glenanne Park, 1.45; Railway Union v Pembroke, Park Avenue, 1.0; Fingal v Three Rock Rovers, ALSAA, 1.45; Monkstown V UCD – postponed.