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Both the Mens and Ladies 2nds face more favourable Cup ties this weekend (in terms of travel) following their exploits up north before Christmas.

Peter Priestley’s men face a Corinthians side who hammered Trinity 11-0 in their first round match. Corinthians lie 3 places below the lads in the league but a 3-2 narrow victory back in September suggests a tight affair come Saturday. News from 2nds the camp is that recent training sessions are going well and have been highly competitive leading into the Cup fixture. Last Saturday’s hard fought victory over Fingal was an excellent way to prepare for what should be an equally competitive fixture. With a couple of players facing fitness tests this week the squad will be announced in the coming days.

On the Ladies side the 2nds are in good current form, coming back from a goal down to take a 1-1 draw against Railway last weekend not only served to show their mettle but kept them joint top of the league. Schoolgirls Joanna McDonnell, Sarah Twomey and Rachel O’Brien have settled well into senior club hockey, while the additions of Anna O’Grady, Anna O’Connell, Ali O’Mahoney and Jane Brownlee have proved key also. Team veterans Eimear McCarthy (excellent IJC scoring record) and Louise Tolerton will be hoping to keep their scoring form up on Saturday, while both Lorraine Horgan and Kate Hurley thankfully continue to settle back in after their ankle injury lay-offs. The Ladies face newly promotoed UCD 2nds at 3.30pm – directly after the guys.

…Elsewhere the Men’s 1sts find themselves back in title contention after Monkstown slipped up against Railway last weekend. The lads travel to Whitechruch to play Corinthians while Monkstown take on Three Rock Rovers at home. The Ladies 1sts took a resounding 3 points against Three Rock last Wednesday night up in Grange Rd, just reward on a rainy night which didn’t stop the Pembroke faithful from travelling – thanks to all the diehards for their unwavering support! Emma Keilthy scored a great opening goal, while Rachel McGrath made sure of the points with a second. The girls will be looking for points again on the road this weekend – they play Trinity in Alexandra College at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

In the Cup the Ladies 3rds fly the flag for the Ladies section – they will travel to Bray for a semi-final date on Sunday February 12th. The Ladies 1sts were knocked out of the Jacqui Potter Cup last weekend 3-0 by Hermes. The Ladies 5ths Cup run came to an end last weekend also – despite putting in a great performance they succumbed 1-0 in their Qtr Final to a very useful Three Rock Ladies 2nds team who play a division above them. Very hard luck girls.

The Men’s 1sts will meet Corinthians in Serpentine on Sunday 12th in the Mills Cup semi-final – mark it in your diaries. Monkstown and Three Rock face-off in the other half of the draw, while Pembroke Men’s 2nds will have a Railway Cup Qtr Final tie to look forward to against Three Rock on Feb 19th.

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