IT has been a season to remember so far for Leinster hockey. After regaining the Stephen Doyle Memorial Cup in November with a crushing 6-0 victory over Ulster at Grange Road, the province now provides three of the teams in tomorrow's Sharwood's sponsored Irish Senior Cup semifinals.

Old Alexandra greatly enhanced the prospects of the Kate Russell Cup returning south after their quarter final victory over holders Pegasus, in Belfast a fortnight ago. However the presence of Randalstown in the semi final line up guarantees another formidable Ulster challenge.

If Muckross are to make up for the disappointment of losing the last two finals, they must overcome a Randalstown team that leads the Ulster Senior League and whose line up includes Jackie McWilliams, the vastly experienced former British international who came out of retirement to play again this season.

"I would dearly love to win the Irish Senior Cup, especially with some of the girls getting close to retirement. They've been in a lot of finals but some of them have only won once," said Muckross coach Ian Steepe who directed Randalstown two years ago.

Meanwhile in the other semifinal at Belfield, Hermes and Old Alexandra renew acquaintances just a week after their Leinster league meeting ended in a 2-0 victory for Alexandra.

That reverse, which followed a 3-0 loss to Muckross, all but ended Hermes league ambitions and left morale in the camp, temporarily, at rock bottom. "I think our confidence just went after losing those matches," says Hermes international striker Jenny Burke. "Everything had been going so well up until then - I don't think we could believe just how well.

"Now the league is gone for us but we're in the Leinster Senior Cup final and We'll approach the match with Alex really positively. They're such a strong team, but we know we can play better than we have been. We're hopeful."