Ahead of the league decider, The Hook got the opinions and thoughts of Pembroke's Craig Fulton and Three Rock's Turloch O'Siochain:
Craig Fulton: "Everyone likes to compete and competition brings out the best in the most competitive players and teams. So, this is a great opportunity and challenge for us. We like to compete an
d the league being at stake is a great prize. We have been slowly building as a team over the last month now and have played some good hockey in that time as well .
d the league being at stake is a great prize. We have been slowly building as a team over the last month now and have played some good hockey in that time as well . "Me, personally, I have played in league play-off matches similar to this one and for relegation, promotion and league honours. So, in short, its a final for us and some of my players have been in more finals than others so a great opportunity for those who have not played in games like this to gain the experience and to be in this situation. It should be a good game and looking forward to it."
Turloch O'Siochain: "It all comes down to this Saturday's match, what more could a coach want? A chance to play the Irish champions is a test for all of us involved, we will have to find answers. 
"We know that we will ask questions of the Pembroke team. We've only dropped five points all season, all at home. Our notable away victories came at Fingal, Glenanne and Monkstown, they were achieved with a mixture of steel and skill, all of which will be needed for the game at the weekend.
"In essence, we have been preparing all season for this occasion and we will not change our general approach, we will have a game plan and on the day it's just a matter of executing it. Confidence and belief is high in the camp and everybody is relishing the opportunity to play in such a big game, the first of many to come."
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This is on the Irish Independent website:
'McDonnell' and 'second from bottom trinity'? Think they need to do some research.
Hockey: Three Rock wait on McDonnell as they look to put seal on title
By David Medcalf Men's round-up
Wednesday April 09 2008
Andy McDonnell remains a major injury doubt for title-chasing Three Rock Rovers as the Leinster League season reaches its climax this weekend.
Rovers have a one-point advantage going into the decisive match against Pembroke Wanderers at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday, so even a draw will suffice for them.
But their chances of denting Pembroke's 100pc home record will be lessened if McConnell's ankle is not ready for combat. The hard-working midfielder has not appeared for his club since picking up a knock in the Mill Cup defeat by Glenanne over a month ago.
He made a brief comeback with the Irish Development squad in Germany only to last 20 minutes into a training match at Bremen.
In his absence, Rovers have been deploying Gavin Burke, Michael Maguire and Phelie Maguire in turn in the play-maker position.
He can draw strength from the fact that Rovers have won seven from seven away from home this season.
However, their only defeat of the season was to Pembroke who were as convincing as the 4-1 scoreline suggests at Grange Road back in October.
Since then, the national champions have lost their South African corner striker Ian Symmonds who has returned home, while defender Conor Harte is out with a broken collar bone.
On the other hand, striker Justin Sherriff has served notice of a significant return to form with spectacular goals in the Irish Senior Cup against Cookstown and Instonians.
With Bray already relegated and Glenanne guaranteed third place, the other remaining battle in the league is for fourth place -- and an automatic place in next season's new national league competition.
Monkstown and Fingal go into the final round of matches level on points but Monkstown -- at least on paper -- have the easier assignment.
'Town play second from bottom Trinity while Fingal entertain Glenanne.
- David Medcalf Men's round-up
I think I saw Andy McConnell play most of Rovers' match against Monkstown in the ISC too.
symmonds - symons
Great build-up for the last league match between the title contenders.
Leinster hockey has really gone from strength to strength winning 3 out of 4 Irish Cups this year. Irish Junior Cups (Glenanne I + Pembroke II) and also the mens Irish Senior Cup (Pembroke or Monkstown). The ladies Irish Senior Cup was an all-ulster affair (Pegasus winning).
In addition 3/4 teams in Europe this year were from Leinster: Pembroke + Glenanne on the mens side and Pembroke on the ladies with Pegasus again making up the 4th.
Leinster also prevailed at the InterPro's winning 4 out of 8 titles:
Mens Senior
Mens U18
Ladies U18
Mens U16
3 titles were won by Ulster:
Ladies Senior
Mens U21
Ladies U21
With Connaught winning the other one:
Ladies U16
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