Rovers have title in sight

SAILING: Three Rock Rovers go into the second last weekend of matches scheduled for the Leinster Senior League with their place assured in the Irish Club Championship play-offs and probably confident of also winning the title outright.

In truth, it has been looking that way for some time now as Rovers have been easily the most consistent side in the competition.

Glenanne, with a game in hand, had been seeking to pull level on points and pin their hopes on a play-off after the normal run of league games had been completed but their 2-0 slip up against Pembroke last weekend has taken the pressure off Rovers.

With this weekend's opponents, UCD, unlikely candidates to put up the same resistance as Pembroke did to Glenanne, Rovers, if they win at Belfield, should be unstoppable. Chasing them are Glenanne, Corinthians and, to a lesser extent, Pembroke and Monkstown, all of whom would relish a place in the play-offs and the possibility of a place in Europe next season.

Clear favourites to join Rovers for the two other places are Glenanne and third-placed Corinthians. The Whitechurch Park side need a little luck, having been denied chances of trophies twice this season by umpiring decisions, the most bizarre of which lost them a place in the Irish Senior Cup final during a penalty shoot out against Cork Harlequins.

But Corinthians have a tough game against Monkstown at Rathdown, while Avoca move to the end of an unsteady season with their second last game against Pembroke. Pembroke coach Simon Filgas has also signalled ther end of his tenure at Serpentine Avenue.

In Munster, C of I take on Harlequins in the crunch match at Garyduff. A win or a draw will do Harlequins for the title, while Lisnagarvey II meet Kilkenny in the Junior Cup final at Belfield.

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - Division One: Avoca v Pembroke 12.15 p.m., St Andrew's; Glenanne v Aer Lingus 1 p.m., St Marks; Monkstown v Corinthians 2 p.m., Rathdown; Railway Union v YMCA 1 p.m., Park Avenue; UCD v Three Rock Rovers 1.30 p.m., Belfield. Division Two: Naas v Bray 2 p.m., Naas; Clontarf v St Brendan's 1 p.m., DCU; Suttonians v Skerries 1.30 p.m., Sutton; St James' Gate v Weston noon, Iveagh Grounds; Portrane v Dublin University 2 p.m., Dardistown. Irish Junior Cup final: Kilkenny v Lisnagarvey, Belfield 2.30 p.m.