HOCKEY:IT'S RARE to see Hermes and Old Alexandra propping up the Leinster First Division table, both still without a point and nine adrift of leaders Loreto as we edge towards November. But there won't be any panic at the respective clubs just yet – they have, after all, played just one match this season.
Interruptions for the under-16 and under-18 interprovincial tournaments, the Irish Senior Cup, the Irish Hockey League and last weekend’s bank holiday mean Hermes, Alexandra and Pembroke Wanderers are all playing catch-up with their fixtures.
So those clubs have a busy weekend, with matches tomorrow and on Sunday.
Hermes’ first opponents are UCD, who might be a touch leg-weary after their busy intervarsity tournament in Jordanstown during the week, when they lost to hosts Ulster Elks in the final.
Loreto and Railway Union will look to maintain their perfect starts to the campaign in their games against Trinity and Glenanne, while Pembroke, who opened with a win against Bray, are away to Corinthian.
Bray, who play Alexandra tomorrow, got off the mark a fortnight ago when they beat Glenanne 3-0, but the club have been docked a point for a registration infringement, leaving them with just two points from four games.
Hermes and Pembroke meet at Booterstown on Sunday, while Old Alexandra travel to play Glenanne, who lost their first two games of the season.
FIXTURES
Leinster League: Division One – Tomorrow: UCD v Hermes, Belfield, 1.0; Railway Union v Glenanne, Park Avenue, 1.0; Corinthian v Pembroke Wanderers, Whitechurch, 1.30; Loreto v Trinity, Beaufort, 2.30; Old Alexandra v Bray, Milltown, 2.30. Sunday: Hermes v Pembroke, Booterstown, 2.0; Glenanne v Old Alexandra, Tallaght, 12.30.
Munster League: Division One – Tomorrow: Univ of Limerick v Catholic Institute, Univ of Limerick, 1.30; Bandon v Harlequins, Bandon, 11.30; Ashton v UCC, Ashton, 12.30.
Ulster League: Premier Division – Tomorrow: Ards v Lisnagarvey, Ards, 1.0; Armagh v Ballymoney, Ardmore 2.30; Belfast Harlequins v Randalstown, Deramore; Lurgan v Ulster Elks, Brownlow; Pegasus v Victorians, Queen’s.
Irish Junior Cup: First round – Tomorrow: Cork Church of Ireland II v Galway II, Garryduff, 2.0; Pegasus II v Randalstown II, Queen’s, 2.30.
