YMCA face week of IHL-reckoning

YMCA face a week of reckoning as their top five credentials are put to the test when they play Corinthian and Three Rock Rovers within seven days.

It’s a challenge Trevor Dagg is excited about and admits his side will need to get at least four points from if they are to really challenge for an IHL place this season. Pushing Pembroke close last weekend was an eye-opening scoreline but was the first set-back in six outings so far this term for the Sandymount club.

But earning wins against their nearest rivals will be key to stepping up a notch in the standings. They attempt to do so without Todd Gill who faces a lay-off of up to eight weeks. The Australian is made of stern stuff, incredibly playing over a half of the Pembroke game last week with a broken jaw before being taken to hospital and undergoing surgery the next day.

Luke Chadwick returns, though, following his All-Ireland winning exploits with Wesley and could line up in direct opposition to his school’s captain Conor Motyer.

Corinthian, meanwhile, have made the inroads already against Monkstown and Fingal to lie two points off top place and, while the Glenanne result was a setback, the interplay of Darren Kimfley, Glenn Holmes, Lucas Piccioli and Davy Carson has caught the imagination making for a lively tussle.

Monkstown will look to take advantage of dropped points on either side but trips to Railway Union are scarcely easy encounters, especially with the growing threat from Peter English at set-pieces.

Gareth Watkins has already banged in eight goals in October alone so with the Town’s defensive difficulties this could again be a high-scoring encounter – their five league fixtures have yielded 32 goals.

Stephen O’Keefe returns to Railway colours after a week with UCD who will hope they do not endure an Intervarsity’s hangover at Grange Road. Three Rock have injury concerns over Ali Haughton and Peter Blakeney but Stephen West is back in contention for the number one jersey after school’s commitments ruled him out of the Glenanne game last week.

Pembroke are set to be without Ronan Gormley for another weekend due to tonsillitis for the visit of Fingal who face a tough task to continue their recent revival. Andrew Shekleton, meanwhile, could show off some of the skills he learned from Iain Lewers from a recent trip to Holland with his school, Dundalk GS.

Joe Brennan is another international star still waiting to return to action. The cast on his broken thumb comes off early next week from which his availability for the WCQ will become clearer.

Paul Fitzpatrick is another absentee for their tie with Clontarf at the bull-ring on Saturday against Clontarf due to an ankle injury.

Men's Division One (all Saturday):
Pembroke Wanderers vs Fingal, 2pm, Serpentine Avenue; Railway Union vs Monkstown, 2.45pm, Park Avenue; Clontarf vs Glenanne, 2.15pm, Mount Temple; Three Rock Rovers vs UCD, 3pm, Grange Road; Corinthian vs YMCA, 3.30pm, Whitechurch Park