Friday, November 23, 2007

Weekend preview - Irish in Scotland, IJC and Ulster...

Another massive weekend of action with the Irish team heading off to Scotland, the Irish Junior Cup and Ulster's top two men's sides taking each other on.

You can read previews about the women and men's matches in Scotland on this site and also in today's Irish Times. Three Rock's Andy McConnell could amke his debut while David Hobbs could be the youngest player to reach 100 caps if he plays over the weekend. To see a full biography of Hobbs' career to date, check out the IHA site.

the Irish Junior Cup kicks off with 18 matches in the Men’s Irish Junior Cup and 25 in the ESB Irish Junior Cup (women) this Saturday. Last year’s champions Old Alex 2XI take on Newbridge in the unusual venue of Mount Anville as Alex are currently rebuilding their pitch. Last year’s runners up Bray expect to do well, they are currently sitting top of the Leinster Division Two table. Up North Pegasus 2XI take on Ards 2XI, Pegasus were knocked out at the quarters last year by eventual winners Alex.

On the Men’s side of the Irish Junior Cup, both finalists from last year Pembroke 2XI (who are currently on a 100pc run after last year’s quadruple season) and Cork Harlequins 2XI have received byes to round two. Ulster’s two top teams from the Junior 1 leaguer will be in round one while Banbridge 2XI take on Omagh and Instonians 2XI take on Newry who are at the bottom end of Junior 1. Elsewhere Rathfranam rivals Corinthians and Three Rock Rovers go head to head - both are currentrly locked on 12 points in division 3.

Up North, there is two titanic battles between the men's biggest rivals. Top two Cookstown face Banbridge in Coolnafranky while perennial rivals Instonians host Lisnagarvey.

There is also three women's matches in Leinster while Kilkenny host Monkstown in the men's section along with Corinthian 1sts taking on UCD.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

who do people think will challenge for the men's irish junior cup (outside of Pembroke)?

Anonymous said...

i cant see past the pembroke team to be honest.i think that 2nd team would hold their own in div 1, matbe not at the top but have the talent to stay up. It'l prob be the usual challengers, annadale, cork harl, but my money defo on pembroke.

Anonymous said...

Id say Pembroke without a doubt. All the Irish players that cannot get into the 1st team because of the foreign influx make up a quality second string.

(please post this Stephen, as it's a valid point) thanks

Anonymous said...

well they have a stern test in facing Garvey next up...

Anonymous said...

Garvey? A stern test for Pembroke? As in Lisnagarvey? Are you having a laugh? Garvey are still living off past glories. Cant remember the last time they won anything.

Anonymous said...

just checked the ulster tables there.....and Garvey are doin pretty badly. I think Pembroke will walk that match, Harlequins will beat Cookstown and Annadale should overcome Fingal but that wil be the closest one.

Anonymous said...

eh, you guys are forgetting a certain TRR team that should no way have been beaten by you this year already. Its game on and i'd say TRR would really enjoy some revenge on the defeat this time last year. Pembroke are not what they were last year and will not get past garvey in the next round.