Women's Hockey: Division One players around the country may have to be reminded of the rudiments of hockey by the time they get playing again, so little competitive action have they seen in recent weeks.
Again this weekend, because of international training, there is a greatly reduced first division programme, with just one match taking place in Leinster and Munster and three in Ulster.
By next week, though, at least 10 of the players called up to the development squad by coach Riet Kuper will return to "full-time" club duty after she chooses the panel that will prepare for the Olympic Qualifier in March. The panel, which will include up to 25 players, will be named on Monday.
They will all undergo fitness tests tomorrow before taking part in three training sessions, one at St Andrews tomorrow and two at Belfield on Sunday.
While Kuper has lost three more players, through retirement, since the European finals in September - Rachael Kohler, Daphne Sixsmith and Karen Bateman - it is likely the 15 remaining players from that squad will survive this weekend's cut, although one or two who were given very little pitch-time in Barcelona might await the announcement with trepidation.
UCD's Linda O'Neill, who sustained a ligament injury in June, is making good progress in her recovery and, it is hoped, will be fit for the build-up to the qualifier.
While the rules on the panellists' availability for club hockey have not been set in stone they will not be allowed to play in weekend matches until December 20th and can only play midweek games if they do not interfere with their training. None of the players will be allowed play in the second round of the Irish Senior Cup on December 6th.
IRISH JUNIOR CUP - Second round: Greenisland v Cork Harlequins II, Carrickfergus, 1.0; Enniscorthy v Clontarf, Kilkenny College, 1.0; Corinthian II v Ashton, Whitechurch 2.30; Glenanne v Old Alexandra II, Tallaght, 1.0; Coleraine II v Hermes II, University of Coleraine, 2.30; Belfast Harlequins II v Pegasus II, Deramore Park, 1.0; Ards II v Diocesan, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30; Pembroke Wanderers II v Wexford, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0. LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Trinity v Corinthian, Santry, 1.30. MUNSTER LEAGUE - Sunday - Division One: UCC v Cork Harlequins, Mardyke, 4.0. ULSTER LEAGUE - Section One: Coleraine v Belfast Harlequins, UUC, 1.0; Ards v Ballyclare, Ards, 2.30; Portadown v Ballymena, Edenvilla Park, 4.0.
