WOMEN'S HOCKEY:WITH SEVERAL of Gene Muller's more established players missing from his squad for the three games against Scotland in Banbridge this weekend the opportunity is there for the more youthful members of the Irish panel to stake their claim as the international season gets under way.
The European Championships in Amsterdam might be nine months away but, for Muller, the Scotland games mark the start of the build-up to the event. While 12 of the squad that competed at the Olympic Qualifier earlier this year, including the experienced Bridget McKeever, Cathy McKean, Nikki Symmons and Jenny McDonough, are available he must make do without the rest, including captain Eimear Cregan, who is recovering from a stress fracture to her foot.
Among those hoping to make an impression in Banbridge are Loreto's Liz Colvin, Ballymoney's Megan Frazer and Michelle Harvey, who moved from Victorians to Pegasus this season. Frazer's Ballymoney team-mate Lauren Barr is back in the reckoning while Randalstown midfielder Katherine Elkin also returns to the fold. Mary Goode's absence gives Hermes goalkeeper Emma Gray a chance to impress.
Garryduff host the under-18 interprovincial tournament where Leinster will be defending their title. Of particular interest will be the form of the Connacht side that features several of the players who won the under-16 title last season, the first interprovincial success in the province's history.
IRISH SQUAD: N Symmons, L Healy, L Colvin, C McKean, N Small (all Loreto), L Barr, M Frazer, B McKeever (all Ballymoney), M Harvey, A Speers (both Pegasus), E Clarke, S McCay (both Ulster Elks), K Elkin (Randalstown), E Gray (Hermes), L Jacob (UCD), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), H Moffett (UCC), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), E Stewart (Armagh).
Internationals (at Banbridge) - Today: Ireland v Scotland, 6.0. Tomorrow: Ireland v Scotland, 3.0. Sunday: Ireland v Scotland, 12.30.
Under-18 Interprovincial Tournament (at Garryduff) - Tomorrow: Ulster v Munster, 9.30; South East v Leinster, 11.0; Ulster v Connacht, 12.30; Munster v Leinster, 2.0; Connacht v South East, 3.30. Sunday: Connacht v Leinster, 9.0; South East v Ulster, 10.30; Munster v Connacht, 12.0; Ulster v Leinster, 1.30; Munster v South East, 3.0.
Jacqui Potter Cup: First round: Sunday: Loreto II v Corinthian, Beaufort, 2.0; Pembroke Wanderers II v Loreto, Serpentine Avenue, 3.45; Our Ladys v Glenanne, Our Ladys, 2.30; Three Rock v Bray, Grange Road, 4.30; Old Alexandra II v UCD, Milltown, 3.0; Genesis v Trinity, Belfield, 1.30; Railway Union v Clontarf, Park Avenue, 2.45.
