Form, status and resolve are factors which indicate that Cork C of I, Harlequins and Pembroke Wanderers will drive forcefully into the Irish Senior Cup semi-finals but the outcome of one of tomorrow's quarter-finals is far from predictable as Lisnagarvey and Instonians meet in an intense tie at Blaris.
One of the key elements has been Instonians' effort to make their main bulwark Neil Cooke free from suspension by playing Cookstown in a league match last night. That demanding away game might take its toll, yet Instonians showed such efficiency and control in eliminating Glenanne and Annadale that there will be considerable apprehension in the Lisnagarvey camp. Certainly, Alan Dowd will require total commitment from his cohorts if the home team are to prevail.
The stakes are all the higher because it is likely that Ulster's only representatives in the last four will emerge from this tie. North Down, while welcoming back under-19 international cricketer Peter Shields, can have little hope of upsetting Leinster's well equipped standard-bearers, Pembroke Wanderers, at Serpentine Avenue.
The Pembroke defence, though, will enjoy coping with the young attackers who scored five goals against Trinity while equally Paudie Carley will be aiming to launch his own front runners into full spate. One would also expect Dave Eakins to give Harlequins the decisive finishing touches against the only second-division survivors, Kilkeel, on their excursion to Cork. Indeed, Harlequins - having achieved the feat of winning in Banbridge - should advance handsomely.
As regards the holders, Cork C of I, they can anticipate tenacious resistance once more from Avoca at Garryduff. The Dubliners still field several stalwarts of the side which won the trophy in 1996 - not least Galahad Goulet, Trevor Dagg and Colin Hade - but C of I seem sure to have an edge in midfield through Nigel Buttimer, Karl Burns and Mark Black, with Simon Kershaw adding zip to the attack.
Tomorrow: Irish Senior Cup quarter- finals - Cork C of I v Avoca, Garryduff, 2.30 (C Hutchinson, G Caulwell); Lisnagarvey v Instonians, Blaris, 2.30 (R Davey, R O'Connor); Cork Harlequins v Kilkeel, Farmers Cross, 2.0 (C Porter, N Martin); Pembroke Wanderers v North Down, Serpentine Avenue, 2.15 (G Quail, E McFerran). Leinster Senior Cup (quarter-final) - Monkstown v UCD, Rathdown, 1.30; Lein- ster Senior League - Division One - Glenanne v Aer Lingus, St Marks, 1.0; Division Two - DCU v Kilkenny, St Clare's, 1.0; Dublin University v Eastern Health, Santry, 1.30; St James's Gate v Skerries, Iveagh Grounds, 1.0; Suttonians v Portrane, Sutton Park, 2.0; Weston v St Brendans/Phoenix Park, Lucan. Munster Premier League - Cork C of I B v Ashton, Garryduff, 4.15; Harlequins B v Catholic Institute, Harlequins, 4.0.
European Championship representatives Avoca and the new Leinster league title holders Railway Union are in opposite halves of the draw for the Leinster Indoor Cup tournament at St Columba's College on Sunday. Assuming they reach the final, they will be tightly matched.
Railway, who won the cup for the first time last year, took this season's championship laurels after another rousing decider which was deadlocked at 4-4 at the end of normal time before Mark Henderson and Ger O'Brien scored decisively.
However, Avoca - provided they are not too weary after their Cork assignment - will want to reverse the tables to gain encouragement for their involvement at European level in Holland in a week's time.
The draw is: First round: Monkstown v Trinity (9.45); YMCA v Pembroke Wanderers (10.30); second round: Monkstown or Trinity v Aer Lingus (11.15) ; Avoca v Three Rock Rovers (12.0); Railway Union v Corinthians (12.45); YMCA or Pembroke v Glenanne (1.30); semi-finals, 2.20 and 3.15; final, 4.15.
