On the eve of the new club hockey season, which gets under way this weekend, Railway Union were in desperate need of a pickme-up following the departure of Carol Devine to Hermes. The news that the most capped Irish international of all time would be lining out for them in the new campaign did the job. In fact, ever since the Railway players heard that Mary Logue was joining them from Muckross, their feet have hardly touched the ground.
"It's what we've waited for for a long time, a boost like this," said Railway stalwart Minnie Douglas. "She's the best player in Ireland and the most hard working - she could play with a broken leg and she'd still be brilliant."
The loss to Muckross, who have still to appoint a successor to coach Ian Steepe, is incalcuable but Logue says her reasons for leaving the All-Ireland league champions were purely personal. "Muckross are really going for Europe this year and that is great, that's what Muckross should be doing but for me, I just can't do that this year. I just want to enjoy myself now, play for Railway until the end of the league season and then continue with my international career."
Ironically Muckross and Railway meet in their opening (Statoil-sponsored) Leinster Senior League fixture of the season tomorrow at Park Avenue but work commitments mean Logue will be unable to play.
Meanwhile the tie of the weekend takes place at Belfield where last season's league runners-up Loreto take on Irish Senior Cup winners Hermes. Hermes, who will be captained by Jenny Burke, strengthened their squad considerably during the summer, particularly with the addition of Carol Devine, Zanya Dahl (from Trinity), the highly rated Irish under-18 captain Linda Caulfield (from Loreto Wexford) and Aoife Byrne (ex-UCD).
If Hermes can cope with the ribbing they will receive over their new sponsors, Knickerbox (a lingerie shop), whose name will be emblazoned across their shirts, they could provide the main challenge to the Muckross stranglehold on the Leinster title.
Leinster Senior League - Glenanne v Old Alexandra, St Mark's, 2.30; Hermes v Loreto, Belfield, 2.45; Pembroke Wanderers v Genesis, Serpentine Avenue, 3.0; Railway Union v Muckross, Park Avenue, 4.0.
Munster Senior League - Lansdowne v Belvedere, University of Limerick, 2.0; Catholic Institute v Harlequins II, Rosbrien, 2.0; Waterford v Harlequins I, Newtown School, 2.0.
Ulster Senior League - Down v Victorians, Ards Lesiure Centre, 1.0; Owls v Ards, Valley Leisure Centre, 4.0; Pegasus v Knock, Upper Malone, 2.30; Portadown v Coleraine, University of Ulster, 2.30.
