After resurgent Three Rock Rovers' 3-2 defeat of Glenanne in the Leinster Senior League last weekend, it's the turn of Trinity, in their opening assignment, to challenge the all-Ireland champions at Santry tomorrow.
The promoted students - who, incidentally, would welcome several of Rovers' leading under-graduates to join them in their quest to retain first-division status - promise to add a freshness and conviviality to the league.
Coached by Ted Felton and captained by under-21 international Michael Harte, Trinity can expect Charlie Carroll and Christian Judd to flourish in attack while the ubiquitous Roly Budd and freshman Alex Cuppage may well widen options through the field. But defensively, stepping up a grade could leave the students vulnerable to players of the calibre of Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw, especially in a Glenanne backlash.
Strong figures in Three Rock's victory last Saturday were Johnny Sleeman and Ross Varian, who have virtually become veterans in the youthful side, while the skipper Alan Bothwell had sturdy support at the back from South African newcomer Scott Crombie. Stephen Findlater is also a notable recruit, though injury may keep him out of tomorrow's match against his former YMCA team-mates at Ballinteer. TOMORROW: Leinster Senior League Division One - Dublin University v Glenanne (1.30); Monkstown v Corinthians (1.30); Pembroke Wanderers v Avoca (3.0); Railway Union v Aer Lingus (2.0); Three Rock Rovers v YMCA (1.30); Div- ision Two - DCU v Weston (1.0); Naas v UCD (12.45); Portrane v Suttonains (1.30); Skerries v St James's Gate (1.0); Eastern Health v Bray (2.0); St Brendan's/Phoenix Park v Clontarf (3.0). Munster Premier Division - Cork C of I A v Bandon (2.30); Belvedere v Catholic Institute (2.30); Harlequins A v Waterford (3.0).
