HOCKEY:LORETO, NOW the only team in the Leinster first division with a perfect record this season, will look to make it seven wins out of seven when they meet Old Alexandra at Beaufort tomorrow, while their closest rivals, Hermes and UCD, will try to get back to winning ways when they take on Bray and Corinthian, respectively.
After missing their clubs’ fixtures last weekend the international players – fitness permitting – will be back tomorrow, Nicci Daly, Nikki Symmons and Niamh Small available to Loreto to face Alexandra, for whom Pam Smithwick and Shirley McCay are now also free to play. Alexandra are fourth in the table, three points clear of Railway Union. Railway’s game against Glenanne, set for tomorrow, has been postponed.
Railway, docked four points last month for a player registration error, might look enviously at UCC’s punishment from the Munster branch for fielding ineligible players in two games earlier this season: a one-point deduction and a €250 fine. The University of Limerick were also docked a point for failing to fulfil their league fixture away to UCC last month.
UCC, at home to bottom club Belvedere tomorrow, trail league leaders Catholic Institute by five points (but have a game in hand), with champions Harlequins, away to Bandon, level with UCC but having played one more game.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Tomorrow – Leinster League Division One: Trinity v Pembroke Wanderers, Santry, 11.30; Loreto v Old Alexandra, Beaufort, 12.45; Corinthian v UCD, Whitechurch Park, 12.15; Bray v Hermes, Loreto Bray, 3.0.
