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WOMEN'S HOCKEY: As is its habit, the draw for the quarter-finals of the ESB Irish Senior Cup produced four intriguing pairings…

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:As is its habit, the draw for the quarter-finals of the ESB Irish Senior Cup produced four intriguing pairings, with three of the teams who were given home advantage - holders Pegasus, Loreto and Railway Union - lumbered with the tag of firm favourites to go through to the semi-finals.

It is, though, only two years since Church of Ireland, Railway's opponents tomorrow, caused one of the great upsets in the competition's history when they knocked out Pegasus, so, like Randalstown and Victorians, they will be intent on causing yet another surprise.

C of I will, however, be without captain Sandra Hackett, who broke a wrist in last Saturday's match against Belvedere, but they have the services of Australian Michaela Mihailou, who scored on her Irish Cup debut last month in the 3-1 win over Lisnagarvey.

While Old Alexandra, by their standards, have had a disappointing first half of the league season they were still a notable scalp for Victorians in the third round, a warning to Loreto ahead of their game against the Ulster side tomorrow.

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But it is Randalstown who were landed with the quarter-final tie nobody wanted: a meeting with Pegasus on the All Ireland champions' own patch.

The teams square up again on Sunday, in the semi-finals of the Ulster Shield.

Ballymoney also play two matches in 24 hours, the first at home to Hermes in the Cup, the second against Armagh in the Shield.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times