Pembroke on Cup double mission

When Lisnagarvey beat Pembroke Wanderers to carry off the Irish Senior Cup for the eighth time in 10 years in 1997, the Ulstermen went on to become all-Ireland championship winners as well. Now, this season's cup holders Pembroke can emulate that double achievement (also recorded by Instonians in 1998) at Belfield this weekend when they will be joined by Lisnagarvey, Cork C of I and Glenanne in the Championship 2000 round-robin finale.

Pembroke's primary target, though, was fulfilled in winning the cup at Lisnagarvey's expense a fortnight ago, and their approach to the second challenge may be relatively relaxed. Yet, through Instonians' efforts in Belfast in June, Ireland's representatives in the 2001 European club championship will probably be in the A division.

Pembroke therefore may step up the pace if they feel they want hotter competition in Europe than in the B division of the Cup Winners Cup, in which Cork C of I failed narrowly to retain A division status for Ireland in Spain. Now, C of I will be seeking solace on native turf, no doubt having learnt lessons in Barcelona, particularly from their 9-1 trouncing by Atletic Terrassa, who beat Reading 4-3 in the final. Weariness, however, may be a disadvantage for the Munstermen this weekend. In contrast, Glenanne will be the freshest team, in addition to being totally competitive, as reflected in twice battling back from arrears to edge out Annadale in the all-Ireland quarter-finals as well as poaching a last-minute draw against Pembroke to seize the Leinster title.

Programme: Tomorrow: Cork C of I v Glenanne, 1.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Lisnagarvey, 3.30; Sunday: C of I v Lisnagarvey, 1.30; Glenanne v Pembroke, 3.30; Monday: Pembroke v C of I, 1.30; Glenanne v Lisnagarvey, 3.30. Tournament director: D Grey. Umpires: R Davey, R Ewart, C Hutchinson, E McFerran, R O'Connor, G Quail.

Pembroke (squad): N Henderson, C Henderson; A Kershaw, A Giles, A Cooke, C Kelly, T Dunne, I Battle, J Sherriff, G Elliott, P Carley (capt), M Tijs, D Good, D Donnelly (unavailable tomorrow), D McKeen, S Stewart. Coach: S Filgas; manager: C Stewart.

Lisnagarvey (squad): Kyle Lunn, N Brazil; B Waring, N Bailie, A Dowd (capt), G Bittle, D Carke, R Tayor, M Tumilty, Kevin Lunn, M Raphael, J Bloomfield, C Clarke, J Stevenson, P Fleming, J Gray. Coach: T Gregg; manager: I Ross.

Cork C of I (squad): W Bateman, M Ruddle; J Hobbs, K Burns, P Smith, D Hales, R Dorman, N Buttimer, D Hanna, D Hobbs, S Kershaw, M Black, J Jermyn, C Hanna, D Smith, A Chambers. Coach: D Pritchard; manager: D Moloney.

Glenanne (squad): I Clarke; K Fishbourne, A Browne (capt), Rory O'Donoghue, D Kehoe, M Lambe, G Shaw, D Shaw, Roly O'Donoghue, J Goulding, A O'Donoghue, C Murphy, J Brennan, P Fitzpatrick, C Bolger, S Butler. Coach: N Keogh; manager: T Cooney.