Men's IHL preview - Round Five

The way the group matches have panned out, the inaugural IHL could not have asked for more from the fifth round in terms of potential drama and tension as each group goes down to the absolute wire.

Three teams vie for two semi-final places in both groups with plenty of highlights on offer, especially with all respective pool matches tipping off at the same time. Serpentine Avenue could prove the most dramatic cauldron as only a bonus point win over Annadale - the only unbeaten side left in the men's competition - will guarantee them passage into the last four. A win of any other kind means the Ballsbridge club will need a favour from recently eliminated Cookstown against Glenanne.

Should the Glens draw, they are through. If they lose, Pembroke can move ahead of them with any kind of win. Instonians face Harlequins in a dead rubber.

In group B, the top two meet at Grange Road as C of I visit Three Rock. The Cork side travel without their skipper Phil Smith who is out for the season with a wrist injury while Rovers' wait to confirm their choice of goalkeeper.

A draw puts both out of reach of Banbridge while a win for either side opens the door for the Co Down side and they will come out all guns blazing against Monkstown. Should they win and the draw occur at Grange Road, Bann would be eliminated despite winning the most matches in the group - something that may need to be looked at the IHL when they review the points scoring system.

Lisnagarvey and Fingal face off in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

Men’s Pool A: Glenanne v Cookstown, 3pm, Glenanne Park; Cork Harlequins v Instonians, 3pm, Harlequins Park; Pembroke Wanderers v Annadale, 3pm, Serpentine Ave

Men’s Pool B: Three Rock Rovers v Cork C of I, 3.30pm, Grange Road; Banbridge v Monkstown, 3.30pm, Havelock Park; Lisnagarvey v Fingal, 3.30pm, Hillsborough