All-Ireland Cup draw gives edge to leagues

The New Year starts at full voltage in hockey circles on Saturday. The senior league competitions take on fresh interest with the announcement of the proposed pairings for the quarter-finals of the revamped all-Ireland club championship.

The seeded draw would be (first named team at home in first leg): Munster 2nd v Ulster 1st; Leinster 3rd v Munster 1st; Ulster 3rd v Leinster 1st; Leinster 2nd v Ulster 2nd. These matches are scheduled for April 10th and 17th and the four winners (decided if necessary by away goals) will play off in a round robin series at Belfield on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

No doubt there will be a full press on to boost goal differences in Leinster and Ulster, for it could come down to the wire for third place in each province. This weekend in Dublin, though, all games are likely to be closely disputed in the more vital quest for points at this stage.

The free-scoring defending champions Pembroke Wanderers, who remain unbeaten, renew their rivalry with Avoca, this time at Belfield. It was a 2-2 draw at Serpentine Avenue at the start of the season before Pembroke found their shape. They will be without Max Lanos (still in France on Christmas leave) while Nigel Henderson and Peter Young carry slight doubts because of injury. Avoca have become a trifle enigmatic and may again find difficulty in lasting the pace, though Paul Derham has now had a week to move up a gear after a shadow outing on St Stephen's Day.

Glenanne, having found sufficient motivation to capture the Doyle and Neville Cups, are still aiming for a top-three finish which would come more into focus if they were to beat Three Rock Rovers at St Mark's. Rovers have lost ground since Christian Judd poached a 2-0 win at Grange Road, yet they are going to be very involved on all fronts, not least in their European trip to Amsterdam at Easter.

Corinthians resume their chase for an all-Ireland berth with a testing game away to YMCA, whose 3-0 defeat of Glenanne in the Mills Cup indicated that they will make a strong impact in the second half of the season. If Greg Van Strydonck gets back from Belgium, his duel with the Corinthians pivot, Paul Armitage, could be a factor in a share of the points.

Monkstown, though chuffed by their under-21 cup success, will find Railway Union all the more determined to make it a reversal of fortunes at senior level at Park Avenue. Certainly the visitors won't be allowed to slip into a 3-0 lead.

Instonians, the title holders, and Annadale provide the top pairing in Ulster where, like Leinster, it's going to a tightly-fought struggle before the all-Ireland representatives are known. Lisnagarvey and Banbridge will also be there at the finish.

Saturday: Leinster Senior League - Division One: YMCA v Corinthians, Wesley College, 2.0; Railway Union v Monkstown, Park Avenue, 2.0; Glenanne v Three Rock Rovers, St Mark's, 2.0; Kilkenny v Aer Lingus, Kilkenny College, 2.30; Avoca v Pembroke Wanderers, Belfield, 2.30. Division Two: Naas v St James's Gate, Caragh Road, 2.30. Ulster Senior League (2.30) - Newry v Banbridge; Instonians v Annadale; Bangor v Lisnagarvey; Cookstown v Cliftonville; Mossley v Raphoe. Munster Premier Division - Harlequins A v Harlequins B; Catholic Institute v Ashton; Cork C of I B v Belvedere; Bandon v Waterford.