Coaches have been more on the move than players on the approach to the new men's hockey season, which starts in Leinster tomorrow. The most interesting development is the appointment of Ruth Henderson (who has enjoyed much success in underage circles) to guide Railway Union - the first woman to take such a role at senior level - and it is also unique in that her son, Mark, will be captain of the first XI.
Elsewhere, Aidan Kidney takes up a fresh challenge, this time with Three Rock Rovers, while YMCA should benefit considerably from the coaching of Paul Hollway of Instonians, only recently retired from the international sphere. Gerry McCabe is stepping into the Monkstown post vacated by Noel Bailey. Here, the new goalkeeper is Shane Reilly from Australia while Aaron Clauson from the University of Tasmania has joined Corinthians.
The biggest influx of players has been at Aer Lingus where John McInerney has recruited Brian Grey and Derek O'Gorman from Kilkenny as well as David Deacy and Keith Kingston from Bandon.
Both Glenanne, the all-Ireland champions, and Pembroke Wanderers, the Irish Senior Cup holders, are again likely to be dominant with virtually everyone available from last season - not least Glenanne's evergreen defender Rory O'Donoghue. He and his team-mates will be looking forward to European competition at the end of a long campaign, if not totally fired up for the opening Computershare-sponsored Leinster League game this weekend against Railway Union.
Also at home are Pembroke, who meet a Monkstown side led by Ian Stuart. Michael Fry captains YMCA, who are hosts to Avoca, for whom Galahad Goulet is again the skipper.
