No slip-ups for Garvey as they look to win title

Following the superb 8-2 win over Banbridge just before Christmas, Garvey have seven matches to play and if they win all of them they will not require any slip ups from their main rivals.

The games remaining are Civil Service this Saturday at Stormont followed by Harlequins at home on January 25 and the rest of the programme is Instonians and Raphoe away, with Kilkeel, Annadale, and the rearranged Mossley at home.

The predictable ‘stumbling blocks’ are Instonians and Raphoe away while the Annadale game at Comber Road could also be a difficult task after their defeat to the Carryduff team on Boxing Day in the Kirk Cup final.

Garvey have a number of players with niggling injuries; Daniel Buser is the biggest cause of concern having not played for six weeks but Johnny Quigley and James Dowling are also side lined.

If Garvey are to take the title they will require a full squad especially as they also have vital commitments with the Irish Cup tie against Glennane on February 1 and the five match Irish Hockey League schedule which runs through the complete month of March.

It is going to be a very busy 10 weeks for a Garvey team which certainly has the potential to compete strongly for all three trophies but coach Errol Lutton knows just how hard it is to maintain form for such a long period of time, especially at the end of a hard competitive season.

• ISTS v NICS, LEAGUE, STORMONT, 2.30pm - J.Tormey, S.Arbuthnot, J.Bell, J.Quigley, R.Arneill, P.McDonnell, A.Williamson, J.Lynch, M.Raphael, G.Thompson, T.Cockram, J.Lorimer, S.Murray, D.Nelson, M.McNellis.

2NDS v NEWRY 2NDS, LEAGUE, COMBER ROAD, 2.30pm - J.Milliken, R.Bothwell, P.Fleming, J.Gray, G.Bittle, I.Davidson, N.Harbinson, R.Cumins,

P.Stirling, J.Wilson, R.Kelly, G.Whitten, A.Martin, A.McCann.

3RDS v MOSSLEY 2NDS, LEAGUE, COMBER ROAD, 4pm - N.Brazil, J.Matthewson, P.Pim, M.Bothwell, R.Kee, M.Gleave, I.Harbinson, P.Keery,

G.Halliday, M.Nelson, M.Cockram, D.Patton, J.Surgeon, P.McClean,R.McConkey.