WHETHER the results of two league matches tomorrow will ultimately prove important will hinge on whether Pembroke slip up in the league championship run in. Three Rock Rovers meet St Brendan's/Phoenix Park in the first of their two matches over the long weekend (they play Glenanne in the Leinster Cup final on Monday), while Avoca face Railway Union at Park Avenue in what the home side will look on as an important game leading into their Irish Senior Cup semi final next month.

The league is entirely in Pembroke's hands at this stage, and both Avoca and Rovers can only hope that they drop points between now and the end of the season.

The league leaders' 9.15 start against St Brendan's on Wednesday night seems as good a place as any to fall apart, bearing in mind the lottery that seems to come into play for mid week fixtures.

But tomorrow Avoca's challenge looks the more difficult as Railway, although out of championship contention, have an even bigger game on the horizon in a matter of weeks against Pembroke. Avoca are the perfect opposition for going into such a cup match, and it is in this light that the Park Avenue side will view the match.

Avoca have been showing more inconsistency than usual in latter weeks, and with Robbie Ryan still out due to illness and Colin Hade on the Irish squad in Kuala Lumpur, they miss an important abrasive presence around the midfield. It will be no surprise if Avoca slip further out of contention.

Seven of Ireland's Triple Crown winning side last year are again available to the under 18 side, who hope to win the Four Nations title for the fourth time in five years at Milton Keynes.

Bearing in mind Ireland's disappointing results in Malaysia in the World Cup qualifier, the current crop of young players are certainly providing some hope that Ireland can again aspire to reaching the top 12 in the world.