MEN'S HOCKEY: Glenanne hope to get off to an eye-catching start this afternoon in Belfield against Corinthians in the first match of the All-Ireland League play-offs. The Tallaght side will go into the match as favourites and with realistic ambition of doing enough over the weekend to earn them a place in the final the following week.
All eight top provincial teams are in action the first day in what is expected to be a typically tight series. Cork Harlequins, worthy winners of the Irish Senior Cup and arguably the most naturally talented bunch in the tournament, will also be looking to make it a double with the All-Ireland league title as well.
Their opening game today against Banbridge is, obviously, crucial for them in order to establish a foothold on the weekend before meeting Leinster's Pembroke and Ulster league champions Annadale.
Annadale will, though, have the motivation of a European place. While Harlequins have secured their place next season by virtue of being Irish Cup champions, Annadale, who rightly see themselves as one of the top teams in the country, will seek to claim the second place on offer and face Dublin side Pembroke in an early 4pm tip off.
That may not work to the best advantage of having support out for the local side. A later time might have encouraged as many people as possible to attend one of the Leinster team games.
But Pembroke's opener against the Ulster visitors is probably their toughest group match.
No doubt the Serpentine Avenue side have the ability to get a result but only if all of their players fire and their defence at short corners holds.
Lisnagarvey, who arrive in Dublin as defeated Irish Cup finalists, open their tournament against Cork Church of Ireland in a 6pm showing.
All in all with the international players now back from the World Cup qualifying event in China and now fully engaged in the club effort for a place in Europe next season, Belfield is one of the places to be over the weekend.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today: All-Ireland Club Championship play-offs (Belfield): Glenanne v Corinthians 2pm; Pembroke v Annadale 4pm; C of I v Lisnagarvey 6pm; Cork Harlequins v Banbridge 8pm; Saturday: All-Ireland Club Championship play-offs (Belfield): Glenanne v C of I 10pm; Annadale v Banbridge noon; Lisnagarvey v Corinthians, 2pm; Harlequins v Pembroke 4pm. Sunday: All-Ireland Club Championship play-offs (Belfield): C of I v Corinthians 10pm; Pembroke v Banbridge, noon; Lisnagarvey v Glenanne, 2pm; Harlquins v Annadale 4pm.
