WOMEN'S HOCKEY:THERE'S A full league programme this weekend but several clubs will be without key players after Ireland coach Gene Muller named a 26-strong panel to gather at Jordanstown for a three-day "Super Camp".
It is a get-together the South African views as the beginning of the build-up to next year's international schedule, the key tournament being the European Championships in Amsterdam in August.
The "Super Camp", as it has been dubbed by the Irish Hockey Association, will differ from traditional national camps with part of the focus on "the psychological and nutritional needs of elite players", according to high performance director Dave Passmore.
Players will, then, have access to nutritionists, sports psychologists and time management consultants, as well as working on the technical and tactical side of the game over the three days.
The plan is to hold such camps on a four-monthly basis as part of the overall national programme.
"This camp is the start of our international preparation for 2009," said Muller.
"We are currently working with a group that has good potential, they are talented and ambitious, but we need to address areas in which we can make improvements."
UCC's Audrey O'Flynn has won her first senior call-up, while Ulster Elks, formerly University of Ulster, Jordanstown, are represented by Emma Clarke and Shirley McCay, both of whom left Randalstown for the ambitious new set-up at the college.
With five players on the Ireland panel - Niamh Small, Cathy McKean, Liz Colvin, Louisa Healy and Nikki Symmons - Loreto are the worst hit of the clubs this weekend, but even with the added loss of the injured Hannah Matthews, they will expect to pick up their first win of the season when they play a Trinity side beaten 8-2 by Hermes last week.
In Munster, Cork Harlequins will also be weakened by the absence of Ireland captain Eimear Cregan and Cliodhna Sargent when they play a Church of Ireland side that pushed them all the way in the league last season.
C of I are strengthened by the return of Sinéad Connery but tomorrow's game will be Michaela Mihailou's last for the club, the Australian, who made such an impact last season, returning home next week.
IRISH SQUAD(for three-day camp in Jordanstown): L Barr, M Frazer, B McKeever (Ballymoney), M Harvey, K McConnell, A Speers (Pegasus), M Goode (Bray), N Small, C McKean, L Colvin, L Healy, N Symmons (Loreto), E Cregan, C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), C O'Brien (Chelmsford), S Quinn, R Mulligan, E Stewart (Armagh), S McCay, E Clarke (Ulster Elks), A Connery, H Moffett, A O'Flynn (UCC), E Gray (Hermes), L Jacob (UCD).
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Leinster League: Tomorrow: Division One: Bray v UCD, Loreto Bray, 1.15; Corinthian v Pembroke Wanderers, Wesley College, 2.30; Hermes v Old Alexandra, St Andrews, 1.15; Loreto v Trinity, Beaufort, 2.15; Glenanne v Railway Union, St Marks, 1pm.
Munster League: Tomorrow: Division One: Cork Harlequins v Church of Ireland, Farmers Cross, 11.45; Catholic Institute v Univ of Limerick, Rosbrien, 1pm; Belvedere v Bandon, Ballincollig.
Ulster League: Tomorrow: Division One: Ards v Knock, Ards Leisure Centre, 1pm; Belfast Harlequins v Lisnagarvey, Deramore Park, 6.45; Pegasus v Armagh, Queen's, 4pm; Randalstown v Lurgan, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Victorians v Ballymoney, UUJ, 2.30.
