The draw for next September's European Nations Cup in Padua will prompt Ireland to prepare enthusiastically, for in Pool A, France, Russia and Poland are of lesser standing, while England may now be vulnerable enough to be beaten for the first time in 50 years. That leaves only the world champions, Holland, as probably insurmountable opposition.
National coach John Clarke can certainly take an upbeat approach, especially with under-21 figures coming on stream, not least Jason Black, as well as his Munster and Harlequins team-mate Paul Lombard, a strong attack leader and utility player.
Lombard played a leading role in Munster's capture of the interprovincial trophy in Cork last weekend, notably in scoring the only goal against Leinster and then twice being on target in the shoot-out.
This method of deciding the title, after a three-way tie against the odds, caught virtually everyone by surprise, though at least the competition director, Jimmy O'Connor, was prepared for it, and, assisted by Dixon Rose, he supervised a smoothly executed epilogue.
It was fitting that Munster prevailed after training with much commitment under Simon Filgas's direction. Leinster were disappointed that they could not break out of Ulster's gridlock on Friday. Anyway, it's back to league fare tomorrow with Pembroke, including six of Peter Murphy's brigade, taking on Monkstown, for whom Glen Bailey, Cliff Bailey, Chris Beere and Richard Beere will have been encouraged by their involvement in the interprovincial tournament. A hamstring twinge may necessitate some rest for Justin Sherriff, but Monkstown, with Greg Heger chuffed by a call-up for a South African trial, should still exercise Pembroke fully. Glenanne and Corinthians, away to Railway Union and Kilkenny respectively, may have their thoughts to a degree on Monday's Stephen Doyle Cup final. The Corinthian club, who have won only one senior trophy, the Mills Cup in 1938, have brought two more Australians into their fold, midfielder Forbes Appleby and defender Andrew Winter.
Kilkenny, relieved to record their first win with a two-goal finishing burst against YMCA last Saturday, are beginning to give sufficient commitment to first division fare. Ross Harding, Ken Hovenden, Victor Smyth, Keith Thompson and Neville Kavanagh provide an experienced core, to which Kilkenny College players, led by Derek O'Gorman, add momentum. Next week's Irish Schools championship in Dublin, though, may call for limited action tomorrow by the youthful element.
Tomorrow
Leinster Senior League - Division One: Pembroke Wanderers v Monkstown, Serpentine Avenue, 2.30; Railway Union v Glenanne, Park Avenue, 2.0; Three Rock Rovers v Aer Lingus, Grange Road, 1.0; Kilkenny v Corinthians, Kilkenny College, 1.30; YMCA v Avoca, Wesley College, 2.30; Division Two: Clontarf v Dublin City University, DCU, 1.0; Naas v Dublin University, Caragh Road, 2.30; St Brendan's/Phoenix Park v St James's Gate, Phoenix Park, 1.30; Skerries v Suttonians, Skerries, 2.0; Eastern Health v UCD, High School, 1.30. Ulster Senior League - Section One: Cookstown v Banbridge, Coolnafranky, 2.30; Newry v Annadale, Dublin Road, 2.30; Bangor v Cliftonville, Ballykillaire, 2.30; Lisnagarvey v Raphoe, Blaris, 2.30; Instonians v Mossley, Olympia LC, 4.0.
The first series of matches in the Leinster indoor league, arranaged for Sunday, has been postponed and rescheduled for November 8th.
Budapest will be the venue for Avoca's participation in the European indoor championship (C division) on Februry 19th-21st. Their oppenemts will be from Belarus, Finland, Hungary, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Wales and Yugoslovia.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)