WOMEN'S HOCKEY ROUND-UP:HERMES HAVE two opportunities this weekend to put an end to Railway Union's flawless record in all competitions, the Leinster champions having won every game they've played so far this season. The clubs meet in the league tomorrow and in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup on Sunday, in what will be a repeat of last year's final.
While they trail Railway by just two points in the league, Hermes have played an extra game – as have Loreto, whose 2-1 win over Corinthian on Wednesday night put them level on points with the title-holders at the top of the table.
They have yet to meet in the league this season but Railway got the better of Hermes in the Irish Senior Cup back in November, winning 2-1, an outcome Hermes must avoid tomorrow if the title race is to remain a genuine three-way battle. Loreto, who will have a keen interest in events at Park Avenue, will focus their thoughts on trying to beat Pembroke Wanderers at Beaufort. Old Alexandra and UCD, meanwhile, meet at Milltown, in a contest between the fourth- and fifth-placed teams, while Bray have a chance to move off the bottom of the table if they can beat Glenanne in Tallaght.
Glenanne are home again on Sunday when they play host to Corinthian in the Leinster Senior Cup, one of just two all-Division One quarter-finals, the other the Railway v Hermes affair. Old Alexandra’s firsts and seconds are at home to Loreto II and Pembroke, respectively, in the day’s other ties.
In Munster, Cork Harlequins bid to get the defence of their league title back on track after last weekend’s defeat by Bandon, only their third in 15 seasons. Leaders UCC play third-from-bottom Waterford, with second-placed Catholic Institute away to third-placed Church of Ireland.
LEINSTER LEAGUE– Tomorrow – Division One: Glenanne v Bray, Tallaght, 11.15; Trinity v Corinthian, Santry, 11.30; Loreto v Pembroke Wanderers, Beaufort, 12.15; Railway Union v Hermes, Park Avenue, 2.0; Old Alexandra v UCD, Milltown, 3.15.
LEINSTER SENIOR CUP– Sunday – Quarter-finals: Old Alexandra v Loreto II, Milltown, 2.30; Railway Union v Hermes, Park Avenue, 2.30; Glenanne v Corinthian, Tallaght, 3.0; Old Alexandra II v Pembroke, Milltown, 4.0.
MUNSTER LEAGUE– Tomorrow – Division One: Church of Ireland v Catholic Institute, Garryduff, 12.30; Ashton v Cork Harlequins, Ashton, 12.30; UCC v Waterford, Mount Mercy, 1.15. Sunday: Bandon v Univ of Limerick, Bandon, 2.0.
IRISH JUNIOR CUP– Tomorrow – Third round: Catholic Institute II v Railway II, Rosbrien, 12.30; Galway II v Univ of Limerick II, Dangan, 12.0; Old Alex II v Glenanne II, Milltown, 1.30; Belfast Harlequins II v Loreto II, Deramore Park, 2.30; Bandon II v Randalstown II, Bandon Grammar, 1.30; Clontarf II v Greenisland II, Mount Temple. 3.30.
