Harlequins may shade Munster showdown

Because of injuries to two of their international figures, Ali Dunne and Nigel Buttimer, Cork C of I may not be capable of containing Harlequins, the defending champions, in the first league meeting this season of the two all-powerful sides in Munster at Garryduff tomorrow.

Both teams have 100 per cent records and the closest game for either side was C of I's 3-1 defeat of Bandon.

The two leading clubs also have strong second XIs (as reflected in the first round of the Irish Junior Cup). Indeed, ace drag flicker Rory Heaslip could be a valuable replacement for the home brigade if Dunne is still troubled by hamstring damage sustained in the interprovincial championship, in which Buttimer suffered a more long-term ankle injury which keeps him out of action. Harlequins will be at full strength.

In Leinster, the main interest will be whether Monkstown can continue to upset the top sides. After the eclipse of Pembroke, they now take on third-placed Corinthians, who they beat 3-0 at the start of the season.

The task, however, at Whitechurch Park will be substantially more demanding with Shane Davey needing to be at his sharpest to foil the prolific Corinthians striker Colin Stewart, who broke away to earn a 2-2 draw with Glenanne last night.

James Benson snatched the lead for the home side in the first minute and although Glenanne replied through Stephen Butler (short corner) and Graham Shaw, the posts and the agility of Charlie Henderson left the way open for Corinthians to share the spoils.

Streetwise Glenanne, though, will be expected to collect full points from the visit of Trinity tomorrow, even if the students will be boosted by their captain Christian Judd being named Computershare Player of the Month for November. Beating UCD last week was also a tonic after a lapse in form.

Pembroke should get back to winning ways against Avoca at Rathdown while Three Rock Rovers look like generating more zip than YMCA at Ballinteer.

When the preliminaries of the Irish Senior Cup are completed tomorrow, Railway Union - with too much experience for St James's Gate - will have the best credentials going into the draw for the prestigious 32-team third round.

Clontarf, too, would enjoy such company, if temporarily, if they can eliminate St Brendan's-Phoenix Park. Goalkeeper Stephen Cairns made a significant contribution to the defeat of the RUC.