A huge weekend in Irish Cup action with both men's and women's Irish Junior Cup, Irish Hockey Challenge and the last eight in the Irish Hockey Trophy up for decision.Grange Road sees a bumper three-game schedule with Niall Denham's Three Rock Ladies hosting Catholic Institute in the IHT with a semi-final place and Irish Senior berth on offer. Genesis are Leinster's other remaining entrants - and other unbeaten division two side - facing a tricky away-day in Ballymena.
The junior cup men's second round sees division three league challengers Three Rock, for whom Veran Pijoan could return, host YMCA while Pembroke face Railway in the Leinster derbies. Holders Pembroke II, surprisingly, lie eight points off the pace with their treble of last year looking a remote possibility but a cup run could be on the cards.
League leaders Corinthian II, with Robbie Byrnes up front and Colm Blennerhassett skippering, are currently setting the pace and will be clear favourites despite the long trip to Bandon. Glenanne II have a tough one at home to Bangor, as do Monkstown against Civil Service.
Weston, meanwhile, enter the competition after a walkover against UCC with one of the toughest ties. Paul Kennedy's (pictured) charges side host Cork C of I at Griffeen.
The last 16 of the women's junior cup sees two Leinster division two sides hoping to advance at the hands of lower league opposition, namely Alex II against div three's TRL II and Loreto II against division four's Trinity.
Last year's finalists, Railway Union, have had their trip to the Mardyke to face UCC delayed to January 24. Hermes t
ravel to Randalstown while UCD are in Galway.
Finally, in Challenge Cup action, Phoenix Park and Naas make their tournament bow in rearranged fixtures as do the men from St Brendan's/Phoenix Park, Mullingar and St James Gate.
Match Schedule (all Saturday January 17)
ESB Irish Hockey Trophy (w)
Ulster Elks v Ashton, 12.15pm, UUJ; Cookstown v Priorians, 1pm, Cookstown HA; Three Rock Ladies v Catholic Institute, 12pm, Grange Rd; Ballymena v Genesis, 2.30pm, Ballymena
ESB Irish Junior Cup (w)
Three Rock Rovers II v Old Alex II, 2pm, Grange Rd; Galway II v UCD II, 12pm, Dangan; Pegasus II v Cork Harlequins II, 1pm, Queens; Armagh II v QUB II, 2.30pm, Ardmore; Randalstown II v Hermes II, 2.30pm, Antrim; Loreto II v Dublin University II, 2.30, Beaufort
Sunday 18: Cork C of I II v Ashton II, 3pm, Garryduff;
Saturday 24: UCC II v Railway Union II, 2pm, Mardyke
Men’s Irish Junior Cup
Bandon II v Corinthian II, 1pm, Bandon; Cookstown II v Lisnagarvey II, 2.30pm, Coolnafranky; Three Rock Rovers II v YMCA II, 2.45pm, Grange Rd; Glenanne II v Bangor II, 3pm, Glenanne Park; Monkstown II v NICS II, 3pm, Rathdown; Pembroke II v Railway Union II, 1pm, Serpentine Ave; Weston II v Cork C of I II, 1pm, Griffeen Valley Park; Instonians II v Raphoe II, 4pm, Shawsbridge
ESB Irish Hockey Challenge (women)
Postponed games from Round 1
Grovesnor v Phoenix Park, 2.30pm, CIYMS; Newry v Naas, 1pm, Newry; Clonmel v Enniscorthy, 2.30pm, Clonmel; Kilkenny v Mallow, 1pm, Kilkenny; Dungarvan v Gorey, 12pm, Priory; Athlone v Enniskillen, 2pm, Athlone
Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge
Postponed games from Round 1
Omagh v SBPP, 1pm, Youth Sports; Mullingar v PSNI, 1.30pm, Mullingar; East Antrim v St James Gate, 1pm, Paisley Park
* If anybody has any info on goalscorers and interesting facts from these games, please mail me at stevie_findlats@yahoo.com on Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon to help with the weekend round-up.
7 comments:
Predicted quarter final teams:
Corinthians
Pembroke
Cookstown
YMCA
Glennane
Monkstown
C of I
Instonians
very leinster feel to the trophy again this year!
Leinster has the strongest 2nd's league in the country, it's great.
Unfortunately this hasn't been borne out at National level where the results of the Irish Junior Cup clearly show that the strongest 2nd's province is Ulster with 10 wins in the last 18 years (1990-2007). Leinster 2nd XI clubs have only won 6 times with Munster 2nd XI clubs winning twice.
Leinster may have more sides making it to quarter-final or semi-final stages, indicating greater strength in depth, but Ulster has had ultimately the strongest 2nd XI teams over the last 18 years.
well its a great competition regardles.
if those teams get through to the next round it will be the top 2 teams in junior 1 in ulster. 5 of the top 6 in leinster and fourth place in Division 1 in munster.
i think what you meant wa sthat Ulster have the strongest teams. the evidence is there to support Leinster as the strongest province.
it will be an interesting competition this year. with pemborkes league form suggesting they may not do it in the IJC this year and C of I showing great form the winner seems obvious. but the open draw format can put an end to a favourite very quickly.
the winner never seems obvious to me. 2nds hockey is very close these days and anyone can beat anyone else on their day. Lets see who makes it through this weekend and then a big baring will be who plays who and where....
when is draw for next round?????
CoI 13-1 weston.
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