Pembroke face old bogey

It is widely accepted that the winners of tomorrow's quarterfinal at Serpentine Avenue between Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne will be hot favourites to carry off the trophy - with Cork Harlequins probably remaining as the most menacing challengers.

While Pembroke are the holders as a result of Justin Sherriff's hat-trick against Lisnagarvey last April, they face tomorrow's game with the remarkable baggage of not managing to beat Glenanne over the past two years, notably in the all-Ireland play-offs and in the key Leinster League match last season, as well as other local engagements.

There has not been more than a goal between the sides in any game, and this term's initial league fixture yielded a last-minute strike by John Goulding to snatch a 3-2 win for Glenanne after Pembroke, in darting into a 2-0 lead, looked like breaking the bogey. "If we want to win the cup, we've got to beat the best team in the country - it's as simple as that," says Glenanne's coach Noel Keogh. An important factor in his ambition will be whether his most creative forward, Graham Shaw, has recovered from injury (though, if acclimatised, Pakistan international Nasir Munir could be an interesting replacement).

Glenanne will also be depending on their two young defenders, David Shaw and Joe Brennan, to keep Sherriff and Gordon Elliott out of range.

Conversely, Pembroke will be concerned about Glenanne's set pieces to which they have been particularly vulnerable. On this occasion, Nigel Henderson will be anticipating the utmost alertness from his fellow defenders in second-phase situations orchestrated by Stephen Butler. This may well be crucial.

Avoca and YMCA, at home to Trinity and Aer Lingus, respectively, in the two other all-Leinster ties, may be seen to have the edge in maturity, as was reflected in their elimination of Instonians and Lisnagarvey. Yet Trinity, who defied the odds again in ousting Banbridge, are full of life, and with Jamie Harte available after missing the colours match they could be surprise semi-finalists. Equally, Aer Lingus, inspired by David Bane, should not be under-estimated. Harlequins, guided by Stephen Jackson, will we expected to make another successful trip north, if no further than Newry, to end Ulster's interest.