Old rivalries to be reprised

Cork Harlequins kick off their Irish Hockey League (IHL) campaign away to Pembroke Wanderers for the third successive season, but are entitled to do so with renewed confidence.

Quins have started well in Munster with two heavy wins under new coach Phil Oakley, while the return of old boys David Eakins and Phil McLaughlin are the only changes to a settled squad. By contrast, IHL holders Pembroke have seen 600 caps worth of international caps head for European clubs, and are currently trying to assimilate a flood of new players. One of those is former C of I man Karl Lynch, but Quins are likelier to know less about South Africans Gowan Jones, Brandon Panther and Jethro Eustice, apart from the latter taking over the drag-flicking mantle from Alan Sothern; he hit two in Wednesday night’s 6-0 mauling of Fingal. But before that result, goals had been hard to come by for Pembroke, something that will give Quins plenty of resolve. Elsewhere in Pool B, Instonians – who have welcomed back Irish international Paul Gleghorne from Loughborough – host a youhtful Banbridge, while YMCA make their tournament debut at home to Monkstown. Meanwhile, Cork Church of Ireland resume their rivalry with Lisnagarvey at Garryduff (2.30pm) knowing a good start is vital if they are to reach the last four of the IHL for the first time. C of I won 3-2 on home turf back in the 2008/09 season, but have been weakened by a series of departures since then, though there is plenty of motivation to avenge a 6-3 mauling at Hillsborough last term. ‘Garvey’s Jason Lynch again returns home to take on his former colleagues, having stayed in the north to become the club’s youth development officer, and is part of a side that has been strengthened since reacing the IHL final last time out. Veterans Johnny Gray, Brian Waring and Mark Raphael are still in tow, while Mikey Harte (Bangor), Andy Forrest (North Down) and Alex McRoberts (GK, North Down) have all proven to be useful signings.

Peter MacDonnell heads a talented group of young players, while Daniel Buser has returned after a year down under. C of I’s experiement of playing three at the back has seen them look defensively frail at times against Bandon and UCC, and they may revert to a more typical formation for this tournament. A midfield of John Jermyn, David Hobbs and Clinton Sweetnam will worry any side, though Nick Burns and Steve Sweetnam carry an uneviable burden up front. Elsewhere, Glenanne are favourites to overcome a Corinthian side shorn of many of last year’s heroes, while Cookstown – now without David Ames and Ian Hutchinson – host Annadale. Meanwhile, there’s one local top-level men’s game which is an early six-pointer for the sides involved. UCC host Bandon at the Mardyke (12pm) knowing whoever takes the spoils will have gone a long way to securing third place and a shot at the IHL wildcard playoffs. Bandon turned over the students twice last term to take the spoils, but this clash is likely to hinge on which defence deals better with pacy attackers, and short corner conversions. UCC’s Roger Gray, Peter Catchpole and last weekend’s hat-trick hero Fionn O’Leary will be keen to give a new-look Bandon backline the runaround, though the same can be said for Ali Smith, David Smith and Graham Kingston at the other end. At corner time, Andy Gray and Roger Gray have both been scoring from this facet recently, but the loss of Edgar Rice has reduced Bandon’s set-piece options. A 2-1 win for College in pre-season suggests this could be a close-run thing. Irish Hockey League Round 1 (All games Saturday unless stated) Men’s Pool A: Cork C of I vs Lisnagarvey (Garryduff, 2pm); Cookstown vs Annadale (Coolnafranky, 2.30pm); Corinthian vs Glenanne (Whitechurch, 2.30pm); Men’s Pool B: Instonians vs Banbridge (Shawsbridge, 6pm); Pembroke Wanderers vs Cork Harlequins (Serpentine Avenue, 3pm); YMCA vs Monkstown (Milltown, 3pm); Men’s Div 1: UCC vs Bandon (Mardyke, 12pm)