Pembroke set to peak

Neither Pembroke Wanderers nor Avoca will want to treat tomorrow's match at Serpentine Avenue with festive abandon. It's the plum tie in the second round of the Cable & Wireless-sponsored Leinster Senior (Mills) Cup. Pembroke, the holders, may feel that, at last, they are moving closer to their most effective gameplan while Avoca badly need at least a repeat of the performance that earned them a 1-1 draw in the league at the same venue in early October.

The Pembroke defence will again probably concede no more than a goal but a richer dividend will be expected from their attackers rather than depending on left-half Colin Kelly to provide the finishing touches. Alan Giles is beginning to provide an extra option off the bench.

Avoca should be enjoying better fortune, though the absence of Colin Hade and Anton Scott has left them without a cutting edge.

As six of tomorrow's ties involve first-division sides taking on second-division opposition, several hefty scorelines may result. The only likelihood of a surprise is at Belfield where UCD have sufficient talent to stretch YMCA if the visitors show any lapse in concentration.

Meanwhile second-division leaders Trinity - though eliminated by Three Rock Rovers from the Leinster Cup - have an opportunity to reach the last-16 of the Irish Senior Cup. If they play to their full potential, the students should beat Portadown in the remaining third-round game at Santry tomorrow and then remarkably they would be at home for the fourth successive time to an Ulster team, North Down.

The draw for the second round of the Irish Junior Cup, to be played on January 8th, has produced some stimulating pairings. Notably, Three Rock II, with Dave Sterritt at the helm, will be at home to the powerful Pembroke second XI captained by Simon Watchorn. Harlequins II continue their defence of the trophy with a visit from Monkstown II while Cork C of I B are away to Banbridge II. In Donegal, Raphoe II are hosts to RUC.

It is expected that part of the reconstructed pavilion at Serpentine Avenue will be completed in time to house the apres-ski attendance at the Neville Cup final between Pembroke and Glenanne on St Stephen's Day.