Ulster sides vulnerable in second-leg assignments

HOCKEY: Putting one's head on the block, Pembroke Wanderers, Glenanne, Cork C of I and Harlequins look to be in reasonable condition to secure their places in the all-Ireland Club Championship play-offs at hockey HQ in Belfield on May 4th-6th.

That list, apart from giving the tipped sides an unsolicited kiss of death in the second leg of the quarter-finals tomorrow, heretically excludes the principals from Ulster, Instonians, the Irish Senior Cup holders, Lisnagarvey and Cookstown.

For Cookstown's return leg in Tallaght against Glenanne, they will face a similar side to last Saturday. But the promise of a more intimidating Glenanne midfield with international Stephen Butler back from study appears to be fading.

Nevertheless, Glenanne feel they can play even better than they did in their 3-2 win last weekend. Cookstown will be travelling with an unchanged squad.

Cork C of I, in pegging back Corinthians to 4-3 in Dublin, should only be concerned about their weekend at the championship finals if the defensive holes that surfaced in Whitechurch reappear.

The seven-goal spectacle, however pleasing to the eye, was as open a game as seen this season. Corinthians arrive in Garryduff with a one-goal advantage but with three away goals hanging over them. Although C of I continue to have Philip Smith (hand) and John Jermyn (shoulder) out injured, their favourites tag is marginal but realistic.

Pembroke's third meeting in three weeks with Instonians is unlikely to encourage any fraternal love between the teams at Serpentine Avenue. The away goal is important for the Dublin side in what will again be a tight match. Alan Giles is doubtful and Alan Kershaw is out but Devin Donnelly returns to midfield for Pembroke while Instonians stick with their regular line-up. Home advantage on the slower pitch will give Pembroke (the defending champions) an important edge.

One of the most difficult tasks in the game is to make a successful raid on Blaris. Of course, Cork Harlequins don't need to be too intimidated with their 2-0 advantage from last week.

They face a Lisnagarvey side with no injuries apart from the continued absence of Dan Clarke but must fancy their chances of netting one away goal, which should be enough to see them through to the final phase.

TOMORROW - All-Ireland Club Championships quarter-finals (second leg) - Cork C of I (3) v Corinthians (4), Garryduff 3.0; Glenanne (3) v Cookstown (2), St Marks, 2.0; Pembroke Wanderers (1) v Instonians (1), Serpentine Avenue 2.0; Lisnagarvey (0) v Cork Harlequins (2), Blaris 2.0.