MUCKROSS have become accustomed to beginning each new Leinster Senior League season as defending champions in recent years but they open their campaign tomorrow weakened by the loss of Sarah Kelleher, one of their most experienced and talented players.
The Irish international hash moved to London to take up a new position with her company and will play for Slough in the English league. However, while Muckross captain Teresa Hurley recognises that Kelleher will be a difficult player to replace she is hopeful that the club can mount a successful defence of their title.
"Sarah will be a big loss and it will definitely have an effect on the team. We will also be without our left back, Miriam Daly, for most of the season, because of her medical career, so we have been weakened. But we still have a lot of experience in the squad and have brought in a couple of new players," said Hurley.
With players of the quality of Mary Logue, Patricia McHugh, Deirdre Courtney and Orla Bell in their line up, as well as former Irish goalkeeper, Sandra O'Gorman, Muckross should remain the team to beat this season. But Hurley expects another serious challenge from two of last year's chief rivals.
I suppose we're like any club in any sport that is successful - you become everybody's target and they all want to emulate your success. This season I would expect Loreto and Hermes to be our main challengers Hermes have brought in a big number of new players and look quite strong this year.
"But I'm not discounting the other teams, because most of the clubs have new players and I really think the standard is evening out now and that will benefit everyone," added Hurley.
Clodagh McMoreland and Patricia McHugh are unavailable for Muckross in Tallaght tomorrow but they will still expect to beat a Glenanne team that narrowly avoided relegation last season and begins the new season depleted by the loss of several players.
Meanwhile at Belfield, Loreto and Hermes, who pushed Muckross all the way last season, will be in action. Loreto play Pembroke Wanderers, and this will be followed by Hermes' opener against Clontarf, who fought a long relegation battle in the last campaign to hold on to their first division place.
Hermes long serving Gorelli Hestor has retired, but the club had a busy summer recruiting several new players. The Irish reserve goalkeeper Tara Browne has joined the Dublin club from Ashton in the Munster League along with the experienced Fiona Manning (ex Muckross) and Aggie Taylor (ex Maids). Aisling Deasy and Ciara O'Leary add some youth to the squad, while Irish schoolgirls' captain Caitriona Carey will be playing full time with the club this season.
Old Alexandra and Railway Union meet at Whitechurch while Maids and newly promoted Trinity College begin their league seasons next week.
