Pembroke are in the box seat on what promises to be an emotional day at Rathdown as the Leinster league comes to a close. The match with Monkstown not only decides the fate of the division one title but will also bring down the curtain on Ray O'Connor's incredible career (of which more later) as an umpire.
The Serpentine Avenue club, by virtue of Glenanne’s draw in midweek, needs just one point against the Town to win back the Leinster title for the first time since 2004/05. Games between the two sides are often lively affairs though for all the Rathdown side's lively play, they have not broken the Pembroke hoodoo for a couple of years.
Should the blues finally break that barrier, Glenanne wait in the wings but need to breach Three Rock's defences to have any chance. They do so with Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw back in action while Steven Doran will play despite a broken finger. Joe Brennan and Paul Fitzpatrick will sit out with injury. Neil Lyons' (pictured, left) season, meanwhile, looks to be over after a recurrence of a foot injury.
For Rovers, the game does have importance as a win will guarantee three home ties in the IHL next season rather than two - a big boon given the big three won all their home games in the inaugural competition.
They may also rest Kyle Go
od who trained all week in Alicante with the Irish senior panel for the first time.
At the bottom, Kilkenny and UCD are in a dog-fight for the play-off spot. UCD's point midweek means only a win over YMCA will do for the Cats while, for the students to keep their destiny in their own hands, a win over Corinthian is paramount.
A draw for the students combined with a win for Kilkenny would leave a play-off for the play-off as occurred in 2001 when Railway Union were relegated on penalty strokes.
The third issue up for decision on Saturday is who will take the wildcard place. The two nominees are Fingal - who play Railway - and Corinthian. Should Corinthian win against UCD, barring a massive swing in goals, they will take the place in the three-team competition with Bandon and either Annadale or Lisnagarvey.
Both Corinthian and Fingal have the same amount of wins but the reds have a vastly superior goal difference - the next deciding factor. It makes for a rare final day of the season with all five matches having their own relevance with only Railway and YMCA playing with nothing tangible to play for.
Division Two is the polar opposite with three of the remaining four games played over the weekend. Dublin Uni complete their build-up to the Neville Davin final against Suttonians while Avoca play Navan on Saturday and Skerries host Naas on Sunday.
Saturday:
Division 1: Monkstown v Pembroke Wanderers, 3pm, Rathdown; Corinthian v UCD, 3pm, Whitechurch; Kilkenny v YMCA, 3pm, Kilkenny; Railway Union v Fingal, 3pm, Park Avenue; Three Rock Rovers vs Glenanne, 3pm, Grange Road;
Division 2: Dublin University v Suttonians, 3pm, Santry; Avoca vs Navan, 1.30pm, Newpark
Sunday:
Division 2: Skerries v Naas, 12pm, Skerries
Pembroke are in the box seat on what promises to be an emotional day at Rathdown as the 
9 comments:
Also I believe if Monkstown do beat Pembroke and TRR lose then Monkstown will finish third and TRR fourth as both would have 10 wins and Monkstown would then have a better goal difference
town beat pembroke in the cup two years ago in serpentine avenue. but you're right steve. it's one team they find it difficult to crack.
Fingal to beat Railway comfortably -- UCD and Corinthians to draw
Why was Kyle Good training wih the full squad? He's not even in the development...!
as stated in a previous post, TRR players weren't ocnsidered for Ireland A side last time around.
squads are obviously undergoing overhaul at the mo.
Come on the broke!!
From what i hear three rock are putting out a shadow side at best - big win for the glens in that one. Will be interesting news if pembroke slip up against the town, not that that is too likely!
So close on the draw prediction...CHC 5 - 1 UCD...
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