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All the men's weekend action previewed
Men's 2XI
Opposition: Railway Union (home)
Time and Venue: 11.30 - Glenanne Park
Last Time out: Glenanne 3-1 Railway Union (Leinster Senior League December 2008)
Home Form: WDDLL
Away Form: LLLLL
Preview: Glens, after a surprise defeat to Trinity last week, are in desperate need of a win to get their Leinster Senior League Division 3 campaign back on track. They might just be glad to be coming up against bottom of the table Railway Union, who are pointless after 7 games. However, nothing can be taken for granted in Division 3, particularly with last week's result in mind. The home side also have the more medium term goal of a big Irish Junior Cup game against Annadale to limber up for. In regard to that fixture, their line up approaches something closer to as strong as could possibly be for November 28 with the first team on an extended break. Eddie O'Malley, David Keogh, David Shaw and Gary Shaw are added to last week's panel but Mark Lambe will drop out as he is rested. Railway, of course, will also benefit from their senior side having the weekend off so expect a high quality affair. The corresponding fixture last December wasan easy win for Glenanne with Union grabbing a late consolation but the Ballsbridge outfit won in Park Avenue in the opening fixture last season against a disorganised Glenanne side who only fielded ten players.
What to expect: The last few years has seen low scoring games but given the defensive records these two sides hold so far this season, that seems unlikely. Railway have let in 27 goals in 7 games (10th in the league) while Glenanne have allowed 16 in 6 (7th in the league). The difference is that Glens have had success in finding the net themselves. They have found the net 18 times in 6 games (joint 4th in the league) while Railway have done so only 3 times in 7 games (10th in the league). Glens should win tomorrow but a clean sheet would be a big goal.
Notes: Gary Shaw is the 2nd team's top goalscorer this season with 4 goals in 4 appearances...The second team have the interesting record of 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss both home and away so far this season.
Men's 3XI
Opposition: Corinthians (home)
Time and Venue: 13.00 - Glenanne Park
Last time out: 1-1 draw (Leinster Senior League Division 4 March 2009)
Home form: DLDW
Away form: WDLW
Preview: After picking up their first win of the season in Railway last weekend - along with a welcome clean sheet - Glens will be eager to kick on against the reigning Division 4 champions Corinthians this Saturday. The 1-0 win may have been a big bonus but there was plenty of room for improvement, particularly in the final third of the pitch. The thirds have scored only 4 goals in 4 games this season but have only lost 1 so a run of victories means they can still challenge for the title they won in 2007 and 2008. Last year, a poor start put paid to chances of a 3-in-a-row which Corinthians took full advantage on the way to their impressive title win. That sets up a mouth-watering clash this Saturday as the last three winners of Division 4 meet in Glenanne Park.
What to expect: Interestingly, Glenanne have not won at home in 2 attempts so far this season while Corinthians have not won away in the same amount of efforts so a draw seems highly likely. That was the outcome the last time the two sides met so expect a similar result.
Notes: Keith Fishbourne returned to the third team for the first time last Sunday. His last appearance in Division 4 has come last season when he helped lead Corinthians - Saturday's opponents - to the title but Fishbourne is unlikely to play tomorrow due to work commitments.
Men's 4XI
Opposition: St Brendan's PP (home)
Time and Venue: 14.30 - Glenanne Park
Last time out: St Brendan's PP 1-0 Glenanne (Leinster Senior League Division 6 February 2009)
Home form: WDL
Away form: LLW
Preview: The fourths are back in action this weekend as they play for the first time since October 17th when they lost for the only time this season against Pembroke. Defence has been key in a decent start of the season which has included 1 win, 1 draw and that single loss to Wanderers. Having let only two goals in in three games, the fourths need to start targeting the other end of the pitch for improvement. They play a St Brendan's side who have struggled away from their 'grass' home this year with two losses and 10 goals conceded away from Phoenix Park. Most interestingly, their 7-0 loss to Trinity probably sticks out most. This is the same Trinity side which Glens managed to draw with 1-1 away from home. The major team news is the absence of Karl Crosby to family commitments however David O'Malley will deputise in goal.
What to expect: Given Glens are at home - which means St Brendan's will be away from the comfort of their own pitch - they will be favourites to win and score a few much needed goals as well.
Men's 5XI
Opposition: Fingal (home)
Time and Venue: 16.00 - Glenanne Park
Last time out: N/A
Home form: LDLD
Away form: LWW
Preview: The fifths go in search of their first win of the season this weekend against what should be a decent Fingal. The northsiders are looking for their third win in a row after 6-0 and 2-0 wins in their last two games. Glens have been unlucky not to pick up three points at some stage this season, with last week's missed chance (literally) against St James Gate probably the most regrettable instance. Gate started the game with 8 players and no goalkeeper but Glens could only find the net once in the first ten minutes without a netminder. After that the draw seemed a fair result but they can't be so wasteful in front of goal. Darragh MCGinley (a friend of Richie Shaw) makes his first appearance as a hockey goalkeeper in Karl Crosby's absence. Elsewhere, John Roche will hope to guide his side to a desperately needed victory.
What to expect: Fingal's only dropped points came in a loss to Smithfield, who have been flawless so far this season, so they are definitely a side to be considered for Division 8 prospects. The fiths will have a decent side out though so it's a hard one to call. Another draw is likely.
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