Thursday, February 21, 2008

Weekend preview

After last week’s Interpros and the International player’s return to domestic action, its making for a massive weekend of hockey in Leinster. Sunday sees the Mills Cup double-header at Whitechurch Park with Fingal against Pembroke and Glenanne with the chance to gain revenge for their 3-2 reverse before Christmas against Rovers. Graham Shaw, Stephen Butler and Phelie Maguire are all available for selection again.

It follows a full programme on Saturday with Rovers versus Corinthian the plum tie.

On the women’s side of things, Hermes could keep themselves in with a chance of the double – something which looked unlikely a few weeks back. They have a massive weekend, facing second placed Railway on Saturday before a repeat of last year’s Jacqui Potter Cup final against Loreto. Trinity, meanwhile, will hope to overcome Railway 2nds to reach their first final for many a year.

Lower down the leagues, while we are still in the midst of February, this weekend could see the first league winners confirmed. Three Rock Men’s 4ths can claim division 5 if they win their match with YM and Pembroke lose.

Leinster Men’s Division One: Fingal v UCD, 1.00,ALSAA, YMCA v Monkstown, 1.00, Claremont Road, Kilkenny v Glenanne, 1.00, Kilkenny College, Pembroke v Bray, Serpentine Avenue, Three Rock v Corinthians, Grange Road

Men's Mills Cup Semi Finals: Fingal v Pembroke Wanderers, 12.30, Whitechurch Park, Three Rock v Glenanne, 2.30, Whitechurch Park

Leinster Ladies Division One: Hermes v Railway, 1.45, Booterstown, Corinthian v Genesis, 2.15, Whitechurch, UCD v Loreto, 2.30, Belfield, Pembroke v Three Rock, 3.30, Ballsbridge

Jacqui Potter Semi Finals Cup: Trinity v Railway II, 16.00, Santry, Loreto v Hermes, 2.30, Beaufort

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why Whitechurch for a "double header", the pitch is another one that doesn't do the game justice unless it's soaking wet. Bad move. Should have picked a decent pitch, even if it has to be neutral.

Stephen Findlater said...

From what I understand, the matches were due to be at Rovers as in previous years but the pitch was booked already for another event.

I am surprised, though, that the games were not rearranged for a water-based pitch.

Anonymous said...

From what I understand the branch didn't book anywhere and then were left scrambling to find a pitch at the last minute.

Anonymous said...

i like playing on the pitch at Whitechurch

Anonymous said...

good for you, is it a bit lonely all by yourself? I agree with the above, it's a good pitch if it's wet but when dry it's a nightmare!!

Anonymous said...

Its a rare opportunity for that pitch to see some quality hockey

Anonymous said...

It's a quality pitch!

Anonymous said...

Any team news for the weekend?? Any injuries about??

Anonymous said...

It is the closest the local supporters will get to a semi final,

Anonymous said...

Glens are back to full strength...Johnny Goulding included

Anonymous said...

Debate: who do u think would win the league if you couldn't have any foreign players and you had to play for the club you originally played for in leinster?? im thinking rovers but they'd certainly lose a few significant players from their current squad. kilkenny would certainly be a lot better with a few here and there from rovers, monkstown and fingal.

Anonymous said...

answer to debate: nobody cares!!

Anonymous said...

What a stupid argument!!! This is not GAA where you are likely to be ex-communicated from your family, while yhey are forced out of their home and have to move to another parish, should you dare play for any other team bar your local one.

Anonymous said...

I agree, it goes to show the strength of Kilkenny College as a "feeder school"

Anonymous said...

As far as I know, Fingal don't have any Kilkenny players playing for them at the moment. O'Gorman away and Gray playing with KK but injured! Your right tho, they would be a much better team if they had those guys.

Anonymous said...

out of the 16 players who were on the Glenanne squad for the majority of last year which won all those trophies, only 3 didn't come through the ranks with the club: Ian Clarke, Brendan Parsons and Nazir Munir.

For me that ends the debate, considering they were so succesful with 13 home grown players

Anonymous said...

Go on the corinthians! 2 -2 get in!

Anonymous said...

chc drew with rovers, and ym beat monkstown.