WOMEN'S HOCKEY:THE FIRST round of Irish Hockey League matches takes place this weekend, with Railway Union opening the defence of their title at home to Cork Harlequins, the team they beat in last season's final to win their first national outdoor crown.
The Harlequins line-up, though, is almost unrecognisable from the one that lost 4-0 to Railway back in May, seven of the players who started that day having retired or switched clubs during the summer.
The most notable absentees are former internationals Rachael Kohler and Karen Bateman, both now retired, with Sinéad McCarthy, a member of the Ireland squad, having joined Hermes after moving to Dublin.
Cliodhna Sargent, then, is the Munster champions’ sole representative in the national Central Preparation Programme, her goals – six in three games – kick-starting Harlequins’ quest for a 16th successive Munster title.
Between 12-0 and 10-0 victories over the University of Limerick and Belvedere, though, the team was held at home to a scoreless draw by Bandon, giving hope to their rivals, chiefly Catholic Institute and UCC.
UCC, who lost to Harlequins in a play-off for last season’s title, have also lost key players, however, Julia O’Halloran moving to Railway and Audrey O’Flynn switching to Hermes, the students’ opponents at Belfield on Sunday.
O’Flynn is one of several Hermes players who played with UCC before leaving for Dublin, among them the Connery sisters, Fiona, Sinéad and Áine, and Aoife McCarthy – not to mention Hermes coach Mary Logue, another former UCC student.
Loreto and UCD, meanwhile, both face Ulster opposition, Loreto away to Belfast Harlequins, who lost their opening Ulster League match to Lurgan last weekend, and UCD hosting Ballymoney, who opened with a 2-0 win over Randalstown.
Munster league leaders Catholic Institute, who have won all their four games so far, are away to Pegasus, the Belfast side warming with an 8-0 drubbing of Ards last Saturday. And Ards face another daunting task this weekend, away to Armagh who finished just three points behind Pegasus in the last league campaign.
Irish Hockey League, Pool A – Tomorrow: Belfast Harlequins v Loreto, Deramore, 6pm. Sunday: Hermes v UCC, Belfield, 2pm; Pegasus v Catholic Institute, Queen’s, noon. Pool B – Tomorrow: Armagh v Ards, Armagh, 2.30; Railway Union v Cork Harlequins, Park Avenue, 5pm; UCD v Ballymoney, Ballymoney, 4pm; Leinster League, Division One – Tomorrow: Old Alexandra v Trinity, Milltown, 1pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Glenanne, Serpentine Avenue, 1pm; Bray v Corinthian, Loreto Bray, 3pm.
