After the most unforeseen of mid-season breaks, clubs in all four provinces will resume their pursuit of league points tomorrow, with some facing a gruelling schedule of matches in the next month.
Rosemary McDowell, match secretary for the Ulster Women's Hockey Union, describes the backlog of fixtures as "the biggest headache I have encountered in 24 years", but she is hopeful that Ulster will have completed its league programme by the end of April.
Leinster's deadline for the end of its league programme - Thursday, April 12th - should be met. Leinster schools' hockey, however, is a different matter with the teachers' strike further complicating the task of clearing the logjam.
The Connacht branch has decided to curtail its planned three-way league play-offs with this Sunday's game between NUIG and Yeats County the deciding fixture in its season.
If NUIG avoid defeat in the game they will beat Galway to the title and win through to the All-Ireland Club Championship preliminary tie against the Munster runners-up on April 21st.
The University of Limerick are well placed to beat Bandon to second place in Munster - Bandon are a point ahead, but have played one more game and still have to face leaders Harlequins. Limerick coach Catherine Bird admits, however, to concerns about the effect the break will have on her team.
"While everyone supported the decisions made by the authorities, the break has had a devastating effect on clubs, especially those with plenty to play for."
In Leinster, Loreto coach Fred McDarby expects it to be difficult to pick up where they left off. "Teams will definitely be rusty and there could be a few surprise results," he said.
Loreto, who are four points behind Hermes, but have a game in hand, are away to Railway Union tomorrow while Hermes - for whom Tara Browne will line out having returned from Holland - play fourth-placed UCD at Belfield.
Pembroke, meanwhile, must beat Old Alexandra at Milltown if they are to have any hope of taking the third Leinster spot in the All-Ireland play-offs.
