Northern exposure for Quins and C of I

The oldest competition in world hockey gets underway tomorrow and on an all-too-rare occasion, it’s a Munster team defending the title. Cork Harlequins begin their quest to climb that hill all over again with an away tie in Antrim, and should find out pretty quickly whether last weekend’s result will galvanise them or otherwise. The Farmer’s Cross men got a big scare from their seconds last week, needing a last-gasp goal from David Lombard to seal a 3-2 victory, but Antrim will be smarting from a 10-1 reverse to Cookstown. They still have Mark and Jason Black available, putting off retirement plans ahead of a European campaign while Chris Daunt is available between the sticks for this round but will be gone if they manage to advance as he prepares for a more to Scandinavia. Quins are joined in Northern Ireland by neighbours, Cork Church of Ireland, who have a potential banana skin away to Kilkeel. The Mourne men led Banbridge 2-1 at half-time in their Ulster league opener last weekend before going down 6-2, while C of I are coming off a valuable 3-1 win over UCC.

C of I’s regular experience of slow sand-based pitches around Munster should stand to them on a difficult surface at McAuley Park, and it would also be a good time for Ireland international Ali Smith to open his account for the club. Having started the Leinster league campaign in blistering fashion, Pembroke’s young crew will have a point to prove against Annadale in round one of the Irish Senior Cup when they meet at Serpentine Avenue. Dale raided Dublin 4 in the Irish Hockey League last season with two late Peter Caruth strikes handing them a 4-2 defeat that went a long way to stunt a sustainable challenge in the competition. But this year Pembroke looks to be in the box seat after an unbeaten first half-dozen games with Alan Sothern in incredible form, netting 14 times in that time since returning from injury. Either side of the Marlay Park, four Leinster sides will be making their entry to this year’s competition with plenty of high hopes. After an impressive start to the season, Joe Brennan and his Three Rock charges face Glenanne for the second time this season, hoping to get off to a quick-start. Despite a winless start to the season, the 2010 champions have been highly competitive but horror starts have left them playing catch-up in each of their last three league games with a glut of goals inside the first ten minutes. After a double setback last weekend, Brendon Carolan’s Corinthian will look to get their focus back against YMCA at Whitechurch against a side buoyed after victory over Monkstown. The form of goalkeeper Iain Walker was critical that day while Krystian Makowski is fast becoming a cult figure for the Y. Fingal face a Mossley lacking the impetus that Simon Todd brings after the Irish international moved on to Cookstown during the summer in what should be a keenly fought contest at the airport. UCD are the one Leinster side to leave the capital on Saturday, going to Deramore Park to play Belfast Harlequins. Many of the competition’s big guns lie in wait in the second round with last year’s finalists Railway Union receiving a bye along with Lisnagarvey, Banbridge, Cookstown, Monkstown and Instonians as well as NICS, Avoca and UCC. Men’s Irish Senior Cup, round one: Belfast Harlequins v UCD, Deramore Park, 2.30pm; Corinthian v YMCA, Whitechurch, 12.45pm; Kilkeel v Cork C of I, McAuley Park, 2.30pm; Antrim v Cork Harlequins, Antrim Forum, 2.30pm; Three Rock Rovers v Glenanne, Grange Road, 3pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Annadale, Serpentine Avenue, 3.15pm; Fingal v Mossley, ALSAA, 2pm. Byes to Rd 2: Avoca, Banbridge, Cookstown, Instonians, Lisnagarvey, Monkstown, NICS, Railway Union, UCC.