Bouyed by their midweek Mills Cup win over Three Rock, Monkstown return to the competition that caused them most joy last term, reaching the final. They host Ulster kingpins Cookstown in what looks the most appetising of Saturday's first round fixtures based in Leinster - though they may do so without the services of Alan Lewis who looks set to leave the club.
The hosts, going in search of their first crown since 1912, go into the game as underdogs against a side close to reclaiming the Ulster Senior League especially after their 1-1 draw Instonians, with new Irish coach Paul Revington in attendance.
Speaking of Inst, they play Cork Harlequins at Shaws Bridge in the other all-IHL fixture. The Old Boys are the current form side in the country, recovering from an indifferent start to the season to rock Pembroke last week and hammer Annadale.
It has coincided with the return of Paddy Brown, Steven Redpath and Mark Gleghorne to the fray. Harlequins travel up north, worrying over the fitness of the Lomabrd brothers Paul and David, Dan Hobbs and Sean Nicholson.
On home turf, Pembroke make their second trip of 2009 to Claremont Road, hoping to make life a bit easier than their previous 1-0 win over YM. Patrick Good returns after missing last week's cup win over Avoca to face his old club while Andy Walker showed he is getting back up to pace after injury for an improving Y.
Three Rock travel down to Kilkenny for the second time in a week while Glenanne host IHT qualifiers Catholic Institute. Fingal have a tricky tie with Bandon - a side who enjoy causing the odd upset in this competition. Goalkeeper Nigel Grothier is out, to be replaced by Brian Wright while Derek O'Gorman and Richie Dore are also back in the fold after missing the game with Pembroke.
Three Rock travel down to Kilkenny for the second time in a week while Glenanne host IHT qualifiers Catholic Institute. Fingal have a tricky tie with Bandon - a side who enjoy causing the odd upset in this competition. Goalkeeper Nigel Grothier is out, to be replaced by Brian Wright while Derek O'Gorman and Richie Dore are also back in the fold after missing the game with Pembroke.
UCD, meanwhile, host a decent Bangor side - spurred on by former Dublin University and Irish U-21 stalwart Mikey Harte - who recently toppled Lisnagarvey 4-2. Railway and Corinthian both received byes to the second round.
Round One (Saturday): YMCA v Pembroke, 1.30pm Claremont Road; Kilkenny v Three Rock Rovers, 2pm Kilkenny; Fingal v Bandon, 1.30pm, ALSAA; Glenanne v Catholic Inst, 3pm, Glenanne Park; Monkstown v Cookstown, 1.30pm, Rathdown; Instonians v Cork Harlequins, 1pm, Shawsbridge; Raphoe v Banbridge, 1pm, Royal and Prior; Antrim v Cork C of I, 1pm, Antrim; UCD v Bangor, 1pm, Belfield
Second round byes: Lisnagarvey, Corinthian, Mossley, Annadale, Railway Union, NICS, North Down
13 comments:
who's Alan Lewis off to or whats the story??
Good to see Mike Harte playing in Leinster once again!
Srtevie, I think that in order to gain some rewards for you incredible efforts that you should charge an annual registration fee of 15 euros.
This is just 1.25 a month. I think that everybody would pay it.
Anybody could see the sight but unless you log in, a message could appear after about 10 seconds explaining that in order to continue you have to register.
Who is Alan Lewis?
best of luck to al and where ever he joins...hes quality and town are losing out on him....rumour mill says corinthians or glenanne!
Alan Lewis going to Corinthians apparently...
I would say he would choose Glenanne, I doubt he would go to Corinthians cause there would be less chance of silverware there. Would be a good addition to Glens in my eyes!
He'd prob have the best chance of getting some pitch time with Glens...
Alan Lewis is Andy Lewis's brother.
I'd heard hes going to join the badgers in Navan, as property is now so expensive in Dublin.....
The latest on the breaking Lewis story is that he was seen in Manchester yesterday and is set to sign for them as a replacement for Kaka.
Heard he was training with Glenanne....
Very tight for places there.
has anyone noticed how the iha website is being updated alot more regulary recently as this as this site becomes more popular they seem to update theres more
alan is welcome in glenanne if he chooses to join the club. he attended training this week with the glens and it was obvious to all that he has allot to offer.
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