WOMEN'S HOCKEY: The third round of the Sharwood's Irish Senior Cup could see the return to action of some members of the Irish World Cup squad in what would be their first games since Ireland played Russia on December 7th in Perth.
Quite how many will return, will remain a mystery until their respective teams take to the field tomorrow, with most coaches remaining tight-lipped about the availability of key players.
Between them Ballymoney and Pegasus had seven players at the World Cup but when they meet at the Joey Dunlop Centre tomorrow, in what will be a repeat of the 2001 final, no more than three or four of that group are expected to play - Ballymoney goalkeeper Angela Platt and Pamela Magill (who has already been back in club action) and Katharine Maybin of Pegasus are the most likely contenders.
Ballymoney player-coach Lynsey McVicker is nursing an Achilles injury while Arlene Boyles, Claire McMahon and Karen Humphreys are still on a break from hockey - whether the "tie of the round" proves enough to lure them back to the club game remains to be seen.
Belfast Harlequins, meanwhile, will await with interest to see if Hermes' line-up at Deramore includes internationals Tara Browne, Linda Caulfield and Daphne Sixsmith. Pembroke Wanderers, though, are unlikely to come up against Jill Orbinson when they meet Portadown at Serpentine Avenue - the Irish midfielder is still recovering from a shoulder injury.
Irish captain Rachael Kohler is likely to play for Cork Harlequins in their home tie against Ards while UCD should have Catherine Murray, Linda O'Neill and Ciara O'Brien back to play Corinthian at Whitechurch, in the round's only all-Leinster tie.
Old Alexandra will need to be at their sharpest to overcome Randalstown, currently second in the Ulster league, at Milltown while Knock will hope to put their league struggles behind them (they are second from bottom in Section One) when they host Waterford at Queen's.
Cup holders Loreto should prove too strong for UCC at Beaufort on a day of particular interest to the Leinster club which will await the decision of the Council of the Irish Hockey Association on whether the two experimental rule changes, introduced to all international competitions from January 1st, will be brought into Irish club hockey this season.
The new rules mean it will no longer be necessary to stop the ball dead at penalty corners and it will also be permissible to stop shots on goal with the stick above shoulder height (until now only goalkeepers could raise their sticks above their shoulders).
IRISH SENIOR CUP - Third round: Old Alexandra v Randalstown, Milltown, 1.30; Knock v Waterford, Queens, 2.30; Cork Harlequins v Ards, Farmers Cross, 1.30; Ballymoney v Pegasus, Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30; Loreto v UCC, Beaufort, 2.0; Belfast Harlequins v Hermes, Deramore, 1.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Portadown, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0; Corinthian v UCD, Whitechurch, 3.0.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Glenanne v Genesis, Tallaght, 1.30. Division Two - Tomorrow: Aer Lingus v Three Rock, ALSAA, 11.30; Our Lady's v Old Alexandra II, Terenure, 3.15; Loreto II v Corinthian II, Beaufort, 5.0 . Sunday - Clontarf v Pembroke Wanderers II, Dardistown, 11.30.
MUNSTER CUP (Division One and Two) - Second round: Bandon v Harlequins II, Bandon Grammar School, 1.0.
