WITH seven fixtures left to play, five points separate the defending champions, Muckross, from their nearest rivals, Loreto, in the Leinster Senior League.

This weekend, Muckross meet Pembroke, who held them to a 0-0 draw in their earlier encounter this season. A victory against Pembroke tomorrow would be another step towards the title, although I am sure Loreto will have something to say about that.

However, the fact that Muckross took all the points from Loreto in their two meetings this season would seem to preclude, though not prohibit, Loreto from overtaking Muckross.

A battle of another sort, survival, is waging at the other end of the table. Only four points separate the four bottom teams, Genesis, Maids, Glenanne and Clontarf. One will be relegated to the second division at the end of this season.

The situation is unlikely to change dramatically this weekend as they all face tough matches from teams in the top half of the league.

. Russell Garcia has been withdrawn from the Britain squad on the eve of the 10 day men's Olympic Games qualifying tournament in Barcelona. Garcia, who won a gold medal as a member of the 1988 side, has contracted a severe bout of gastroenteritis. He is replaced by Reading's Howard Hoskin.

The loss of their most experienced player is a severe blow to Britain, who face a tough start as in their opening match today they meet an Indian team who have just beaten world champions Pakistan.

Five of the eight nations will earn tickets to Atlanta. Also competing are Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Belarus and Canada.