The top four women's teams in the Leinster Senior A put their league concerns behind them this weekend to concentrate on the quarter-final ties of the Leinster Senior Cup, with the match of the weekend pairing second and third-placed Hermes and Loreto, respectively, at Beaufort.
Hermes' seven internationals returned from Irish duty in Spain last weekend reporting no ill-effects after a gruelling week and should all be fit for selection. Loreto, who had just one player in Spain, Caitriona O'Kelly, got the better of Hermes in last year's semi-finals before losing to Muckross in the final, but Hermes since gained revenge by beating Loreto 4-1 in the league earlier this season.
If Rudi Wortmann's ever-improving Pembroke Wanderers side are to advance to the semi-finals they must do what only Loreto have managed this season - beat Old Alexandra. Pembroke's hopes of an upset, however, have been hit by the loss of five players (through injury and work commitments).
Wortmann, though, believes his side is capable of matching any opposition on their day, but concedes convincing his young players of this is his hardest task.
In Santry, Muckross, who are going for six-in-a-row in the competition, must put last weekend's defeat by Old Alexandra behind them, one that saw their league hopes all but evaporate. They play Trinity who they have already beaten twice this season.
On the evidence of their form so far this season Corinthians may be playing Senior A hockey in the next campaign but, for now, they are Senior B's sole representative in the quarter-finals, where they play Glenanne in Tallaght.
Leinster Senior Cup (Quarter-Finals): Trinity v Muckross, Santry, 12.0; Glenanne v Corinthian, St Mark's, 2.0; Loreto v Hermes, Beaufort, 2.15; Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra, Serpentine Avenue, 2.45.
Leinster League - Senior B: Hermes II v Railway Union II, Beaufort, 4.0; Maids v UCD, Grange Road, 1.0. LEINSTER SCHOOLS' SENIOR CUP - (Quarter-finals) Today: Rathdown v Mount Anville, Rathdown, 3.0; Loreto Foxrock v Mount Sackville, Belfield, 5.45. Monday: Loreto Beaufort v Muckross, Beaufort, 3.30.
Munster Senior League - UCC v Harlequins, The Mardyke, 12.0; Lansdowne v Bandon, Univ of Limerick, 1.15; Church of Ireland v Belvedere, Garryduff, 2.0. Sunday: Univ of Limerick v Harlequins II, Univ of Limerick. 1.30.
Ulster Senior League - Section One: Ards v Pegasus, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30; Randalstown v Ballymoney, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Coleraine v Portadown, Coleraine, 2.30; North Down v Collegians, Ards Leisure Centre, 1.0; Victorians v Enniskillen, Olympia Leisure Centre, 4.0. Section Two: Banbridge v Queens, Havelock Park, 4.0; Saintfield v Civil Service, Saintfield, 2.30; Friends v Larne, UUJ, 4.0; Knock v Omagh, Upper Malone, 4.0; UUJ v Owls, UUJ, 2.30.
Irish Junior Cup (Semi-final draw): Church of Ireland II v Pegasus II, Diocesan v Our Lady's Terenure. Ties to be played February 27th.
