There is a wide variety of activity this weekend. Notably, after a squad session at Belfield, John Clarke is due to name an 18-player Ireland party for the Gold Cup tournament in Bangladesh next month.
This priority, as well as Railway Union's involvement in the European Indoor Championship (C division) starting in Brussels tonight, reduces the Leinster Premiership programme to two matches tomorrow - Trinity v YMCA and Monkstown v Avoca.
In the Irish Junior Cup quarter-finals, the YMCA second XI welcome Lisnagarvey II to Ballinteer but the Dubliners have little hope of emulating their seniors' feat of eliminating the illustrious Ulsterman. While Justin Elliott and David Bryce will be foremost in the resistance, they can hardly expect to contain the recently retired international pair Alan Dowd and Robbie Taylor.
Three Rock Rovers II, who were beaten primarily by Kenny Morris in last season's final as Annadale II won the trophy for the first time, can now counter attack through Liam Canning and defend sturdily through Andrew Walker as the sides meet again at Lough Moss.
Galvanised by Andy Cooke and Ian Battle, Pembroke Wanderers II - though away to Mossley II - may also fly the flag for Leinster in the semi-finals. Banbridge II should get the better of Armagh, though George Compston will have his side in good shape.
