Although barely back on campus, Trinity (happily restored to the first division) and UCD (newly promoted) are obliged to plunge into Leinster League activity this weekend. Not only have they a match tomorrow, but they are also due to meet head to head at Grange Road on Sunday.
Trinity, who have tuned up with a two-game excursion to Maastricht, start out with an unchanged squad from that which gained promotion last season. Sweeper Adrian Bryce leads the side into action against YMCA at Ballinteer when the only notable absentee will be Jason Milne (not due to return from holidays until Sunday).
UCD, at home to Glenanne in their opening fixture, have trained with some zeal. Coach Gerry McCabe has a 20-man squad at his disposal, including two former Glenanne players, Albert O'Donoghue and Keith Fishbourne. Other new recruits include Graham O'Meara, Andrew Jones and Marcus Miller while skipper Peter Fox welcomes back Simon Brown after a year's absence.
Elsewhere, the youngest side in the premier division, Monkstown, may well be a handful for Three Rock Rovers and, equally, Corinthians will be challenging opposition for Avoca. The most likely away winners, though, are Pembroke, with an attack sharpened by Simon Kershaw and Darren Hanna set to stretch Railway Union before they settle.
Trinity (squad) - C Deane; A Bryce-Smith (capt), J Hinds, M Gageby, G Lindsay, M Brett, G Dunne, S Bredin, R Tilson, J Milne, G Hinds, M Furney, A Cullen, C Guilbaud, J Lush, P Spencer.
Tomorrow: Leinster League - Division One: YMCA v Dublin University, 2.0; Railway Union v Pembroke Wanderers, 3.0; Three Rock Rovers v Monkstown, 1.45; UCD v Glenanne, 1.15; Avoca v Corinthians, 1.30; Division Two: Aer Lingus v Clontarf, 2.15; St Brendan's/Phoenix Park v Klkenny, 1.30; St James's Gate v Eastern Health, 2.30; Suttonians v Carlow, 1.45. Sunday: Division One: Dublin University v UCD, 2.30. Monday: Monkstown v Railway Union, 7.0.
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