Glenanne could clinch title

HOCKEY: THE LEINSTER Senior League Division One title could be wrapped up this weekend as the top two clubs, Glenanne and YMCA, meet for the second time in two weeks. Glenanne just need to take a point from Saturday's match to claim the league honours.

Last week was probably the telling game when Glenanne all but ended YM’s hopes with a 3-1 win in Tallaght. They now sit in an almost unassailable position, five points ahead of the second-placed side and with two games in hand.

That cushion ensures that even if Glenanne slip up YMCA would need favours from others in the remaining fixtures to have any hope.

Monkstown will be looking to take revenge on Corinthian for handing them a 4-0 hammering last week as the sides meet in Rathdown, while two of the other teams in the IHL qualification shake-up meet at Grange Road as Three Rock Rovers host Pembroke Wanderers.

Railway Union’s Kenny Carroll has been called into Paul Revington’s Ireland squad and could become the first Park Avenue player since the late Joey O’Meara to wear the green jersey. Like O’Meara, Carroll is also an international cricketer and was part of the 2007 World Cup squad. Railway will fancy their chances of boosting their IHL bid as they host bottom club Weston, while UCD look destined for a relegation play-off as Weston take the plunge.

On the international stage, the men’s national team will take on their Canadian counterparts in April over a three-match series. The first of the Test matches will commence on April 17th at the National Hockey Stadium in Belfield and will move on to the NICSSA, Belfast, on the 19th and 20th.

As an illustration of the changing face and increasing professionalism in hockey in this country, Ireland players contracted to European clubs have been excused for the first match.

The Irish Hockey Association have said players involved in Dutch, Belgium and Spanish league games on Sunday, April 17th, will be expected to fulfil their club commitments and will not be considered for selection for the first Test in Dublin.

WEEKEND FIXTURES:Saturday: Leinster Senior League: Division One: Fingal v UCD, ALSAA, 1.30; Monkstown v Corinthian, Rathdown, 1.30; Railway Union v Weston, Park Avenue, 12.30; TRR v Pembroke, Grange Road, 1.30; YMCA v Glenanne, Alexandra College, 3pm. SUNDAY: Leinster Senior League: Division One: Corinthians v Fingal, Whitechurch, 12.55.