Ulster clubs have grounds for hope

Men's Hockey Irish Senior CupThere is a view that Ulster clubs Annadale, Banbridge and Cookstown hold significant home advantages as the Irish Senior Cup enters the quarter-final stage this weekend. Annadale welcome local rivals Lisnagarvey to Lough Moss in reasonably confident form after battering Bangor 6-1 in the last round. Ireland's Iain Lewers was fine form on that occasion.

The win moved Annadale to top spot in the Ulster Premier League as they pursue a fifth successive title. Former Irish kingpins 'Garvey have already lost to Annadale 3-2 this season and are in indifferent form, drawing 2-2 with lowly Kilkeel last weekend.

Glenanne and Cork Harlequins make the long journey north to Cookstown's Coolnafranky and Banbridge's Havelock Park, respectively. Glenanne came through tough games last weekend against Corinthians and Three Rock unbeaten but will be concerned they only scored twice.

The holders Harlequins face a tough task against Banbridge, who are always difficult to beat on home ground. The Cork side can also expect some raucous support from the home fans.

On the face of it Three Rock Rovers' meeting with second-tier side Mossley at Grange Road appears the easiest of the four ties. Rovers defeated Pembroke in the last round but the Leinster side are sweating over the fitness of top-scorer Peter Blakeney and Alan Bothwell.

In Leinster, league action resumes on Sunday, with Glenanne facing Railway Union at Park Avenue and Rovers facing an even more difficult assignment against Corinthians, at Whitechurch Park.

FIXTURES - Saturday: Annadale v Lisnagarvey, Lough Moss, Carryduff, 1.0; Three Rock Rovers v Mossley, Grange Road, 1.0; Banbridge v Cork Harlequins, Havelock Park, 2.30; Cookstown v Glenanne, Cookstown, 2.30; Leinster Senior League: Division Two: Kilkenny v Avoca, Kilkenny College, 1.0; Navan v Weston, Sportslink, 3.0; PSPBB v UCD, DCU, 1.0; Skerries v Clontarf, Skerries, 2.0; Suttonians v Naas, Sutton Park, 2.30. School Munster Senior League: Division One: Bandon A v Church of Ireland A, Bandon, 1.30.

Sunday - Division One: Corinthians v TRR, Whitechurch Park, 1.30; Fingal v Pembroke Wanderers, ALSAA, 1.45; Monkstown v Dublin University postponed; Railway Union v Glenanne, Park Avenue, 2.45; YMCA v Bray, Claremont Road, 1.30.