MEN'S HOCKEY/Irish Senior Cup S/F: Although there have never been such powerful pairings in the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup - each of the clubs having won the trophy over the last four seasons - Glenanne (the holders) and Cork C of I cannot object to being cast as favourites tomorrow to reach next month's final, writes Dermot Ashmore
Glenanne, now unbeaten in 29 matches (including a recent 4-2 league win against Corinthians) take on Pembroke Wanderers at Tallaght with three victories over their arch Leinster rivals this season. C of I travel to Belfast to tackle Instonians with a side made up entirely of players who have shared in Munster's capture of the senior and under-21 interprovincial titles.
The fact that Glenanne rallied so forcefully to edge out Munster's other leading side, Harlequins, makes them appear close to invincible. Only an inspired performance, it seems, by Pembroke, will cause an upset. Probably they can improve on last weekend's eclipse in the Mills Cup decider, for Duncan McKeen will have regained fitness to lead the side from the back and the options will be increased through the field. Allan Kershaw, notably, is ready to play a particularly positive role.
The resistance from Glenanne, though, is bound to be all embracing. As well as the seasoned figures, David Shaw and Joe Brennan have matured into top-class defenders while right winger Mark Lambe has also benefited from his experience at European level in Bloemendaal last year to provide extra drive in attack.
The prospect of more exposure in Europe, apart from the trip to Gibraltar at Easter, is a target that Glenanne will want to pursue.
Cork C of I would also relish broader horizons. The side has a good pedigree but, having lost Nigel Buttimer through injury, may need to be more aggressive. Although they moved impressively in the elimination of Corinthians, Colin Hanna and Ali Dunne will need to be at their sharpest against Instonians, for whom Paddy Brown and Clark Kennedy will concede little ground.
Equally, Karl Burns and his cohorts in the C of I defence realise the importance of subduing Mark Irwin and to keep Chris Barnes out of range. It will be a close call.
Also on tomorrow's programme are the matches which may decide which team will make the drop to the Leinster second division to replace Railway Union, who have cruised back to the top grade. But the issue will remain alive if UCD and Trinity can take points from Monkstown and Avoca, respectively.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup (semi-finals) - Glenanne v Pembroke Wanderers, St Mark's, 2.0 (R O'Connor, G Quail); Instonians v Cork C of I, Upper Malone, 1.0 (W McCully, C Porter). Leinster Senior League - Division One: Aer Lingus v Corinthians, 2.15; Dublin University v Avoca, 3.0; Monkstown v UCD, 3.0. Junior interprovincials, Omagh -Leinster v Munster, 9.30; Ulster v Munster, 12.30; Ulster v Leinster, 3.30.
SUNDAY: Junior interprovincials, Omagh - Ulster v Munster, 9.30; Leinster v Munster, 12.30; Ulster v Leinster, 3.30
