WHEN the line up for last year's inaugural All Ireland Club Squash Championships was unveiled at a reception in Fitzwilliam 18 months ago, the organisers appeared to have successfully filled one the most significant gaps in the sport here.

From the outset of the competition proper, however, there were problems with a couple of teams failing to make it on court even once and, having lost its sponsorship for this season, the event now finds itself at a rather uncertain crossroads.

Eight clubs in two sections are due to gather this evening at Fitzwilliam to play out this year's second phase with Sutton, defending champions Old Belvedere, Sligo and Trinity all in contention for the title. If it is not to be the last time that the tournament is staged, then it seems that a major rethink of the current format, and the level of support from clubs around the country, will have to take place.

Sligo's inclusion in the main group this weekend is at least given the difficulties of involving clubs from outside of Dublin a boost for the event and the Connacht club would probably serve the organisers well if they were to take the silverware home with them tomorrow evening.

With the experience of John McKay and a sprinkling of the country's best juniors, including Anna McGeever, Keith Moran and Fiona Parker, at Sligo's disposal, that scenario is far from out of the question although Sutton seem likely to edge them into second place.

The Dubliners will have Eoin Ryan back at number one for them, after his enforced absence due to international duty in Egypt for the first round of matches. Furthermore, they will have the services of Irish women's number two Louise Finnegan while Brian O'Hora and Mark Allen, fresh from last weekend's under 19 Home Internationals, are also included in the squad.

The other contenders, meanwhile, are hampered by the loss of players since last year's competition with Old Belvedere's Chris Collins out for much of the rest of the season due to a back injury while Aisling McArdle has left Trinity in order to pursue a full time career in the game in Australia.

In the case of the titleholders the blow might have been softened considerably had Chris Collins's brother Maurice been listed in the panel of players at the start of the competition, as he is currently at home on a break from his coaching work in Germany and filling in for the Angelsea Road club in the Leinster League.

Unfortunately the present set of circumstances were not foreseen back in September and it seems that the oversight will severely dent Old Belvedere's chances of retaining their claim to being the country's strongest side.