Focus on provincial finals

Hockey Round-up: December 26th is provincial cup final day and in Ulster, Leinster and Munster several of the top teams in the country are in action. Not surprisingly these matches are usually well supported.

There is the showpiece Kirk Cup final at Hillsborough between Ulster's two most successful teams in club hockey over the past decade.

Lisnagarvey and Annadale, who have won 21 out of the last 30 major trophies, face each other for another Christmas cracker.

The Kirk Cup is Ulster's most historic trophy dating back to 1896 and Lisnagarvey have won it a record 30 times.

Leinster men will also be putting on an interesting final at Serpentine Avenue, where Pembroke Wanderers take on Three Rock Rovers in the Neville Cup Final.

Pembroke, who are sitting at the top of the Leinster League table, are in form at the moment but with Three Rock nipping at their heels from second place on the table, this match should provide some fast-paced hockey.

Pembroke will go in expecting to win but Rovers' form over the past few weeks has picked up and they have the ability to cause an upset.

A blip last weekend, when they were defeated 2-0 by Monkstown, was quickly rectified with a win.

However, such a lapse will be more severely punished by Pembroke.

The Pembroke bar, which helpfully overlooks the pitch, will be as welcoming as usual.

In Munster the Peard Cup final takes place at 3pm with Cork C of I B and Harlequins in the mix. Cork C of I B team will, no doubt be out to avenge their A team's loss.

They were beateb 5-2 in the semi-final stages by Harlequins.

Most league fixtures are back in full on Saturday, January 12th.

FIXTURES

December 26th: Munster-Peard Cup final: Church of Ireland B v Harlequins A, Garyduff 3pm; Ulster-Kirk Cup final: Lisnagarvey v Annadale, Hillsborough, 2.30pm; Leinster-Neville Cup final: Pembroke Wanderers v Three Rock Rovers, Serpentine Ave 3pm.