Rovers return as C of I seek revenge

Cork C of I return to the ground where their IHL dream unravelled so spectacularly last term, with Three Rock Rovers providing the opposition at Grange Road in a reprise of a bizarre battle last April. Stephen Jackson’s side needed just a draw to progress to the last four, but imploded in the opening quarter, shipping three goals in 11 minutes en route to a 5-2 loss that sent Rovers through instead. There have been various changes in playing personnel at both clubs since then, and both could argue they are in transitional periods The unavailability of Karl Burns – plus Adam Pritchard’s switch to Pembroke and Andy Chambers’ retirement – leaves the Cork side looking a little short at the back. Keeper Mark Ruddle is also out, though C of I are fortunate to be able to call on a high-quality deputy in Billy Lynch.

Phil Smith is now bringing his experience to the sweeper role in their absence, and the departure of Mitch Darling to Belgium and Peter Blakeney’s unavailability through injury will help C of I’s cause. C of I still hold all the aces in midfield, however: John Jermyn, David Hobbs and Andy Herbert will look to exert their significant influence in an area Rovers have struggled since the departure of Andy McConnell. The continued development of the likes of Karl Lynch, Stuart O’Grady and Nick Burns – who has been doign a fine job of filling the role vacated by Jonny Bruton – has been good news for Jackson, who will surely be keen to give them some exposure at this level. The hosts have a strong Dutch flavour this term, with Maarten Bos at the helm and countrymen Sven Galjaardt and Pieter Steins-Bisschop pitching up alongside South African import Pierre de Voux. But the Dubliners have been plagued by injury and have been an inconsistent outfit thus far as they bed in their newsignings, something C of I will be keen to exploit. Elsewhere in the pool, last year’s runners-up Glenanne host Ulster champions Cookstown. Glens have shown few signs of ring-rustiness despite being inactive for much of November, and have Joe Brennan back in situ. The Reds ended a poor Ulster league run with a 6-0 demolition of Raphoe that saw David Ames showcase the full range of his wizardry, but never seem to do well against Glens, who are aiming for a third straight win over their Co Tyrone opponents. Familiarity may be a help or a hindrance as Annadale host Lisnagarvey in an all-Ulster clash. ‘Garvey blew a two-goal lead in this fixture in the league a couple of weeks back – dropping points from winning positions has been a problem for them so far – so won’t lack for motivation. Champions Pembroke Wanderers’ visit to Banbridge is the glamour tie in Pool A. The ‘Broke swept away all before them in claiming four trophies this season, but their preparations this time around have been disrupted by the loss of players and coaching staff to Ireland’s failed World Cup qualification effort. The big guns are now back in situ however, and buoyed by a 4-2 defeat of Three Rock Rovers last weekend, they will head to Havelock Park – where Bann are now without talismen Eugene Magee and Geoff McCabe, who headed to the continent – with confidence. Bann are well in touch at the business end of the table in Ulster, but are a side in transition following the loss of Irish internationals Eugene Magee and Geoff McCabe to foreign shores over the summer, and will need to be at their best to thwart the Dubliners.

Cork Harlequins begin their campaign on home turf against new boys Corinthian — who have taken advantage of Pembroke and Glenanne’s three-week hiatus from domestic action to fire themselves to the top of the Leinster league. Quins must do without Chris Daunt, Sean Nicholson, Darren Farrell and Colin Ross due to injury, but will fear no-one after claiming a bullish 3-3 away draw at C of I last weekend. A win is a must for side that struggled in this competition last season, and have retained much the same squad. However, with Mark Black, Jason Black, John Hobbs and Paul Lombard now all fighting fit, and Dan Hobbs in fine drag-flicking form, they still pose a considerable threat. Monkstown are the third Leinster side to hit the road in this pool, as they travel to Instonians in hope of plugging the defensive gaps that have plagued them this term, while keeping up their prolific goalscoring record. Meanwhile, UCC will be hoping to set up an all-Munster tie in the last eight of the Irish Trophy, should they claim a win in their rearranged tie at Belfast Harlequins. Catholic Institute await the winners, and in Andy Gray, Roger Gray and Stephen Sweetnam in situ, College have plenty of scoring power at their disposal. However, it remains to be seen whether the month-long layoff since the 5-2 defeat of Institute on November 7 will affect them. Meanwhile, there isa single Division One fixture, with Bandon heading to Institute in a clash that should reveal much about the sides’ respective ambitions this term. The hosts have gone off the boil somewhat following a decent start to the season, while Bandon’s sporadic fixture list so far has denied them the ability to put together a run of form to speak of, with two heavy losses to Quins not helping. Irish Hockey League Rd 1 Pool A: Instonians vs Monkstown (Shaw’s Bridge, 2.30pm); Cork Harlequins vs Corinthian (Harlequin Park, 2pm); Banbridge vs Pembroke Wanderers (Havelock Park, 7pm); Pool B: Three Rock Rovers vs Cork C of I (Grange Road, 4pm); Glenanne vs Cookstown (St Mark’s, Tallaght 1.30pm); Sunday: Annadale vs Lisnagarvey (Lough Moss, 2.30pm). Irish Trophy Rd 2: Belfast Harlequins vs UCC (Deramore Park, TBC) Munster Div 1: Catholic Institute vs Bandon (Rosbrien, 3pm)