NEW ZEALANDER Paul Derham, with full international basics, has been registered by Avoca at an ideal time. Out of the Irish Senior Cup, they will want to win the all Ireland league title to stay in European circles and Derham can help them hold on to points in Leinster when their World Cup players are absent after Christmas.

Tomorrow, a full strength team should be too purposeful for Railway Union at Rathdown, even though Railway beat Avoca this time last year and have started to regain that defiant form - as was illustrated in their recent defeat of Three Rock Rovers. Also in contention, Pembroke and Glenanne will remain evenly matched at Tallaght.

The most concentrated action of the weekend is at Blaris where, in the youth interprovincials over the next three days, the sides will play each other twice in a new format that will keep everyone out of mischief. Leinster, captained by Stephen Butler and fielding strikers of the calibre of Cliff Bailey, Gary Ringwood and Just in Sherriff, ought to retain the under 18 laurels whereas the under 16 championship will be more evenly balanced.