Tough task for Fingal

MEN'S HOCKEY:WHATEVER THE outcome of tomorrow's Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals, Ulster is guaranteed at least two spots in the last four of the competition, with Fingal and Monkstown Leinster's only remaining representatives and Munster with none.

Having beaten Bangor and Mossley in the opening rounds, Monkstown, last season’s beaten finalists, face another Ulster opponent, this time in the more formidable shape of Instonians. When the teams last met in Dublin, though, Monkstown took the points with a 6-3 win in November’s Irish Hockey League tie.

Fingal’s reward for ousting Three Rock Rovers in the second round is an away trip to Cookstown who knocked Church of Ireland out of the competition a fortnight ago.

If league form is anything to go by then Lisnagarvey, currently top of the Ulster table, and Banbridge, in second place, should come away from Annadale and NICS, respectively, with victories.

Lisnagarvey also beat Annadale 5-2 in the IHL earlier this month, albeit with home advantage. The draw for the semi-finals takes place at Stormont after the NICS v Banbridge game.

It will be a particularly testing weekend for Monkstown who, after playing Instonians, face a second game on Sunday, this time a first division fixture against Three Rock Rovers. Rovers also have two games in as many days, their opponents tomorrow league leaders Glenanne.

Irish Senior Cup – Quarter-finals – Tomorrow: Cookstown v Fingal, Coolnafranky, 2.30; Annadale v Lisnagarvey, Lough Moss, 2.30; NICS v Banbridge, Stormont, 2.30; Monkstown v Instonians, Rathdown, 2.0.

Leinster League – Division One – Tomorrow: Corinthian v UCD, Whitechurch, 1.30; Three Rock Rovers v Glenanne, Grange Road, TBC.

Sunday: Three Rock Rovers v Monkstown, Grange Road, TBC.