Italy may find Irish under-21s too strong

Having stunned the defending Junior World Cup champions in the Germans' Milton Keynes warm-up, the new generation of Irish under-21s will be expected to confirm their prowess in this weekend's two matches against Italy in Dublin which are a further step in the development of a fresh European Championship bid.

There can be no doubting the potential of the Irish side, which may well score particularly handsomely this evening before the visitors adapt to the Belfield surface.

Prior to the second junior international tomorrow (5.0), the opening shots will have been fired in the Leinster Senior League. Funds from Statoil sponsorship are being pumped into a new £1,000 prize fund, and Pembroke Wanderers seem capable of retaining their title and earning £500 worth of sports vouchers. Pembroke will not be at full strength - Paudie Carley, who is on holidays, will be a notable loss - but Turlough O Siochain leads a stronger-looking side at Serpentine Avenue than Avoca's. Their perparations have been hit by illness, and it will be several months before Rory Kirwan and David Hanna can return to the fray.

In another top-four pairing, goalkeepers Ian Clarke and Anthony O'Neill are at the helm of wellmatched teams at St Mark's, though Glenanne will miss under-21 attacker Graham Shaw (on duty at Belfield), whereas Three Rock Rovers can field Liam Canning, who is not due to resume a three-match suspension until next week.

Equally, a three-game ban on Ger Butler (back with YMCA) does not come into effect until Monday, so he can play against Corinthians at Whitechurch Park tomorrow. YM, captained by Stewart Taylor, may still find it difficult to contain the `Wizards of Oz' in the eager home line-up led by Bruce Campbell.

Because of junior international calls, Monkstown's fixture against Railway Union has been postponed, so - like the universities - Alan Tolerton's charges (nurtured by Jacqui Potter) can enjoy a week's grace. Ivan Rafter is coaching second division side Eastern Health, captained by Shay Cowman. They are pleased to have a number of fresh recruits from Chanel College.