Glens and Rovers set for another tasty duel

THE four meetings of Glenanne and Three Rock Rovers last season provided the defining moments as the former won the EY Hockey League while Rovers landed the Irish Senior Cup and Champions Trophy.

As such, today’s showdown at St Andrew’s is the first of another potentially epic series with both hinting they can reach the heights once again that brought the play-off in the national final.

Their 5-2 win over Rovers at the same venue featured some of the best hockey since the inception of the new national division.

The Rathfarnham club bounced back to win by a similar scoreline a few weeks later in the cup, another spectacular battle with lots of late goals.

Under Joe Brennan, the Glens play an attractive brand of counter hockey and they are coping with the departure of Shane O’Donoghue with the arrival of fine additions like South African Brad Venter, German Cedric Jakobi and Jonny McCormack.

Rovers, meanwhile, have a settled side with Scottish U-21 international Jack McAllister and Mark English slotting in well. Mitch Darling has been approaching his Olympic form since returning to the Irish set-up full-time after a break while Daragh Walsh has been the star man in midfield.

Elsewhere, Banbridge extended their lead in the league on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over Annadale and are in action on Sunday against Monkstown in another potentially high-quality affair. Town will be without Kyle Good.

On the women’s side, Cork Harlequins’ date with Pembroke is probably the most interesting tie on the agenda. Cliodhna Sargent and Yvonne O’Byrne were exceptional last week in a 3-0 win over Belfast Harlequins.

They face a pacey opponents in Pembroke with Aisling Naughton, Sinead Loughran, Gillian Pinder and Emily Beatty providing plenty of gas.

Railway Union face Pegasus, looking to break the Ulster side’s 100pc record at Park Avenue.