Women's Hockey: Until last year Ulster had won every under-21 interprovincial title since 1986 but Munster, under the guidance of Ann Logan, ended that remarkable run, winning the Vera McWeeney Cup for the first time in 19 years. They will attempt to retain their title in Belfast over the weekend but will expect a strong challenge from the other four teams, not least the hosts.
Leinster's hopes of an improvement on last year's disappointing display, when they finished fourth, will rest largely on the 10-strong UCD contingent in their squad. They open their campaign tomorrow against Munster before taking on South-East in the final game of the day. Coached this year by Ger Butler, Leinster haven't won the under-21 title since 1985.
South-East, coached again by Siobhan Keogh of Genesis, will hope to build on the success of last year's tournament in Kilkenny where they were the only team to take a point off Munster, added to a win over Connacht and a draw with Leinster.
With a busy year ahead for the Irish squad, who compete in the European Nations' Cup Qualifier in Dublin during the summer and the World Cup finals in Perth in November, there are places up for grabs on the senior panel, providing an added incentive for several players who will be in action in Belfast this weekend.
On the international front, India have provided the sport's governing body, the International Hockey Federation (FIH), with yet another headache, only a week after Ireland's victory at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
India had been due to play the loser of the match between Ireland and Lithuania at the World Cup Qualifier but the CAS's decision to deem Ireland qualified for the World Cup and Lithuania withdrawn from the competition left them having to play the United States in a three match play-off.
Their seventh-place finish at the qualifier entitled India to home advantage against the US but, because of security concerns, the FIH decided not to ask the Americans to travel to India and ruled that the two teams should play off in South Africa this month, where they are competing in the Champions Challenge.
India, however, have rejected this request, insisting that they are entitled to home advantage, as promised to the team that finished seventh at the qualifier, and informed the FIH that the matches will take place in Delhi in March.
How enthusiastic the American team will be about this prospect remains to be seen.
UNDER-21 INTERPROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT (at Queens, Belfast) - Tomorrow: Connacht v Ulster, 9.30; Leinster v Munster, 11.0; South East v Connacht, 12.30; Ulster v Munster, 2.0; South East v Leinster, 3.30. Sunday: Munster v South East, 9.0; Connacht v Leinster, 10.30; Ulster v South East, 12.0; Connacht v Munster, 1.30; Ulster v Leinster, 3.0.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division Two: Clontarf v Three Rock, Dardistown, 12.30; Aer Lingus v Muckross, ALSAA, 1.0; Old Alexandra v Our Ladys, Milltown, 1.15; Avoca v Loreto II, Rathdown, 1.45.
