WOMEN'S HOCKEY WEEKEND PREVIEW:THE STUDENTS of Trinity and UCD get their league seasons under way tomorrow against Hermes and Loreto, respectively, with UCD beginning life under Mary Logue, the former Irish captain, who has taken over as coach.
Having coached at underage level for Ireland, Logue is no stranger to the role, but this will be her debut in club hockey with a gifted UCD side. They have been joined this season by Ireland under-18 goalkeeper Stella Davis and former Wesley College team-mate Leigh Pelow, with Liz McInerney arriving from Hermes, Julie Garvey from Three Rock and Laura Wilson from Belfast Harlequins.
UCD had a steady season last time around, finishing fifth. But Trinity struggled, avoiding relegation by just two points, and open against a Hermes side intent on putting last week's defeat to Railway Union behind them.
Railway are away to Old Alexandra, with both looking to make it six points out of six, while Pembroke and Bray meet at Serpentine Avenue having drawn their opening games.
Bray's Mary Goode, Elaine Bromell and Stephanie Hall come up against their former club, who now have Orla Ryan, the former Loreto stalwart, in their ranks.
Glenanne, only denied victory last weekend by a last-minute Bray equaliser, are away to Corinthian, 4-1 losers to Alexandra.
In Ulster, Ballymoney play hosts to Pegasus tomorrow, with former Pegasus player Kim Gregg (formerly Mills) in their squad. The ex-Ireland international has returned to hockey after a lengthy break and will hope to help her new club break the Pegasus stranglehold on Ulster hockey.
LEINSTER LEAGUE- Division One - Tomorrow: Corinthian v Glenanne, St Columba's College, 1.30; Old Alexandra v Railway Union, Milltown, 3.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Bray, Serpentine Avenue, 3.30; Trinity v Hermes, Santry, 1pm; UCD v Loreto, Belfield, 1om.
MUNSTER LEAGUE- Division One - Tomorrow: Ashton v Bandon, Ashton, 12.30; Church of Ireland v Belvedere, Garryduff, 1.30; Univ of Limerick v Cork Harlequins, Villiers, TBC. Sunday: UCC v Catholic Institute, Mardyke, 11am.
ULSTER LEAGUE- Division One - Tomorrow: Armagh v Randalstown, Ardmore, 4pm; Ballymoney v Pegasus, Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30; Knock v Victorians, Balmoral, 1.0; Lisnagarvey v Ards, Lisnagarvey, 1pm; Lurgan v Belfast Harlequins, Brownlow Leisure Centre, 2.30.
