Men's Hockey Weekend previews: After last week's lull in the top strata of Leinster hockey, the Senior League campaign resumes at full velocity tomorrow with leaders Pembroke Wanderers taking on second-placed Corinthians at Whitechurch Park.
The fact that these two sides have amassed 28 and 27 goals, respectively, from their seven games promises to yield an exhilarating match, though the scoring rate may well be reduced through the abilities of the international goalkeeping brothers, Nigel and Charlie Henderson.
While Pembroke won the Stephen Doyle Trophy final 5-2, Corinthians will feel more confident on home turf where they beat their great rivals in last season's championship.
The return of Justin Sherriff from Belgium has rekindled Pembroke's attacking fire but Colin Stewart, backed notably by James Benson, remains an equally incisive figure for Corinthians.
Both teams will be close to full strength and while Pembroke are still missing Gordon Elliott, the arrival of Colm Brady from Cork Harlequins has provided fresh steel in midfield. If Pembroke take full points tomorrow, it will confirm their renewed status as the best side in the province after a year of transition.
Among the weekend's other league fixtures, the defending champions, Three Rock Rovers, will have difficulty in holding on to joint third position with Aer Lingus as the two sides meet at ALSAA.
Aer Lingus have built up a cohesive team and, with home advantage, they may well be too competitive for Rovers, who have been somewhat inconsistent.
Also on tomorrow's programme is the second preliminary stage of the Irish Senior Cup. Perhaps the most interesting tie involves Avoca and Raphoe at Rathdown, as they are well in the running to regain first division places in their respective provinces.
Clontarf, one of the strongest Leinster Division Two sides, are among the favourites to advance, even though they have a tough away assignment against PSNI.
TOMORROW'S FIXTURES
IRISH SENIOR CUP: Second round: Antrim v Suttonians, Antrim Forum, 2.30; PSNI v Clontarf, Palace Barracks, 2.30; Belfast Harlequins v North Down, Deramore Park, 1.0; Skerries v Mossley, Santry, 3.0; Bray v Naas, Loreto Bray, 1.0; Newry v Armagh, Belfast Road, 2.30; QUB v Portrane, Queens Playing Fields, 2.30; Avoca v Raphoe, Rathdown, 2.0.
LEINSTER LEAGUE: Division One: Corinthians v Pembroke Wanderers, Whitechurch, 2.15; Aer Lingus v Three Rock Rovers, Alsaa, 1.30; Glenanne v YMCA, St Marks, 1.30; Monkstown v Railway Union, St Andrews, 3.15; UCD v Dublin University, UCD, 1.15.
