MEN'S HOCKEY:NEVILLE CUP aside, the Leinster Branch couldn't have picked a better opener to kick the league into life this weekend. Two of the top sides, Glenanne and Pembroke, face each other in the first match-up, both hoping for even greater things this season.
Of the two, Pembroke, who have lost more than half of their players to teams in Europe and South Africa, will have to adjust more. Indeed it is going to be one of the Serpentine Avenue club’s balancing acts in how to keep their domestic players happy on the fringe of the senior team, while importing talent from abroad.
Certainly Pembroke have been the market leaders in building a squad capable of dominating in Ireland and picking off some results at the higher level in Europe.
They have a new coach from Durban, Brendon Carolan, who has the challenge of defending the Leinster Senior League, the Leinster Senior Cup, the Irish Indoor Cup and the Irish Hockey League, as well as preparing the side for the first round of the European Hockey League.
Glenanne, meanwhile, also have a new coach. Graham Shaw won’t be unfamiliar to the Glenanne players as he takes over coaching duties and continues to play, as Arul Anthoni has gone to Three Rock Rovers.
Shaw, too, will have a few more faces to dovetail into the Glenanne mix, including Filip Jaros, formerly from Monkstown.
In the European League, Pembroke have been drawn in Pool F with Dutch side HGC and Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia of Ukraine, and kick off on Friday, October 15th.
Glenanne compete in round 1.2 in Terrassa, Spain, on October 29th, with German side Mannheimer and Polish team Poznan in their group.
Monkstown face Three Rock Rovers in Rathdown tomorrow in another match that could be telling.
Both sides have come close, and Monkstown particularly would dearly love to win one of the major trophies, having come so close to the Irish Senior Cup in recent years.
Meanwhile, Ireland goalkeeper Mark Ruddle has been forced into early retirement from the international game due to a hip injury. Ruddle made his international debut over five years ago against Canada in Cork, helping Ireland secure a 3-2 win.
He went on to secure 24 caps.
FIXTURES
Saturday: Leinster Senior League – Division One: Glenanne v Pembroke Wanderers, 2pm, Glenanne Park; Monkstown v Three Rock Rovers, 1.30pm, Rathdown; Railway Union v Fingal, 1.15pm, Park Avenue. Division Two: Bray v Suttonians, 2pm, Loreto, Bray; Rathgar Chiefs v Navan, 1pm, High School, Rathgar.
