Mark Kingston’s men caused the shock of round one in ousting Cork Harlequins 3-2, and in Melvin Beamish, Colin Kingston and Glen Forde they have a tricky forward unit. But ’Garvey will represent a huge step up in class.

Cork C of I go to Suttonians with high hopes of progressing, especially given the availability of Stephen Sweetnam, whose quick hands and drag-flicking ability make him a danger from play and corners.

Round two of the women’s competition sees Cork Harlequins host Loreto, as they seek to inflict further pain on a Leinster outfit after winning brilliantly at Glenanne in round one.

Bandon face Irish Junior Cup holders Lisnagarvey at Comber Road on Saturday. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Jane Chapple and Maria Collins will both be key to their chances against a side high on confidence after winning 8-1 against Portadown first time out.

Ciara McCarthy is on fire for Bandon ladies — she hit four in the first team’s 5-1 win over YMCA last week, and the winner against Belfast Harlequins in round one — and they’ll need her in the groove again as they host Trinity.

Cork C of I face Irish hockey’s longest trip, heading to Co Antrim outfit Ballymoney, hoping veteran Cathy Walsh and tyro Emma Dobson can combine to good effect as they did in the 2-1 win over Lurgan.

Catholic Institute, current leaders in Munster’s Division 2, will hope the likes of Katie Campbell can bring some first-team experience to the table as they visit 2010 champions Randalstown.

While it’s a blank weekend in the women’s league – sewn up by Institute last weekend – there’s one men’s tie as Catholic Institute host Cork Harlequins in a bottom-meets-top clash at Rosbrien.

Quins won’t be expecting to see their 100% record to come under threat from a side without a win all term – and who they recently beat 8-1 on home turf. But they will have noted Institute’s excellent first-half performance against Bandon last week, where they led 2-1 at the break.

For their part, Insta will be glad of more high quality opposition as they prepare for next weekend’s Irish Trophy quarter-final at home to Raphoe.

UCC are also in the last eight shake-up, and played their final  league game before their trip to Bangor against Quins B at the Mardyke yesterday.

On a freezing night, the side hit something of a hot streak as they cruised to a 5-0 win with the majority of the damage done in the opening stanza.

Peter Catchpole’s backhand shot from the top of the D, coming after a goalmouth scramble was only half-cleared, started the rout before Roger Gray first-timed home following a sweet passing move involving Adam O’Callaghan, David Doherty and Fionn O’Leary.

Andrew Gray then netted a drag-flick and tapped in Catchpole’s crash ball for a 4-0 half-time lead.

A pair of yellow cards for Quins stunted any chance they had of building their own momentum, before Colin Manning’s behind-the-back deflection off Roger Gray’s cross finished the job.

College will be hoping the result breeds confidence ahead of their Munster Senior Cup clash with Bandon in west Cork on Sunday (2pm).

This is a vital encounter for both sides, and not just for the right to earn a semi-final berth away to Quins. UCC have always under-performed when they need to get a win to fuel their IHL wildcard ambitions in the past few seasons,and winning down west would be a huge psychological boost before the sides meet there in the league on the final day of the season.

Bandon know the importance of these clashes too and have developed a habit of eking out crucial goals when it matters most; Ali Smith and Aaron Beamish have both earned unlikely draws at the Mardyke in the past 12 months.

Men’s Div 1: UCC 5 (Andy Gray 2, Roger Gray, Peter Catchpole, Colin Manning) Quins B 0

Saturday: Catholic Institute v Cork Harlequins, 12.30pm, Rosbrien.

Electric Ireland Irish Junior Cup, Rd 2 (all ties Saturday)

Men: Lisnagarvey v Bandon, 1pm Comber Rd; Newry v Banbridge, 4pm, Newry Olympic; Three Rock Rovers v Bangor, 2.30pm, Grange Road; Pembroke W v Corinthian, 1.30pm Serpentine Ave; Raphoe v Cookstown, 1pm, Royal & Prior; Annadale v YMCA, 2.30pm, Lough Moss Suttonians v Cork C of I, 3pm, Santa Sabina; Kilkeel v Antrim, 2.30pm, Kilkeel High School;

Women: Hermes v Railway Union, 1.30pm, St. Andrews; Cork Harlequins v Loreto, 1pm, Harlequin Park; Ballymoney v Cork C of I, 1pm, Joey Dunlop Galway v Corinthian, 1pm, Dangan; Pembroke Wanderers v UCD, 3.30pm, Serpentine Avenue; Dromore v Pegasus, 2.30pm, Ferris Park; Bandon v Dublin University, 1pm, Bandon Grammar; Randalstown v Catholic Institute, 1pm, Antrim Forum.

Injury to his central panel was a rarity in 2011 but leaves the Irish boss with a string of concerns ahead of next month’s Olympic qualifiers in Dublin. Jermyn (ankle) is one such worry while skipper Gormley (knee) and schoolboy David Cole (broken shoulder) also miss out on the Valencia trip.

Cork C of I drag-flicker Jermyn is not always a starter for Ireland these days but his drag-flicking ability – along with Timmy Cockram’s – remains vital to Ireland’s cause.

The ankle injury suffered while training with his club last October, which restricted him to minimal game-time in the series against the Netherlands last month, is still causing concern.

John Jermyn's ankle injury is an ongoing concern for Ireland.

Richard Sykes and Brian Doherty both fit the bill as defenders with corner skills to fill the gap while utility man Bruce McCandless is available after injury and has the edge in experience. On the goalkeeping front, Ian Hughes steps out with Stephen West moving up as number three keeper following Iain Walker’s shoulder surgery last week.

Centurion Phelie Maguire has been added to the panel as part of a half-dozen players taking the place of a quartet of the Alicante selection for the latest 26 player panel.

On the trip, Ireland will play five matches against sides ranked higher in the world; Spain twice and Belgium three times.

They are coming off the back of two draws with Great Britain at Bisham Abbey; notable results in their own right but the side were annoyed not to have eked out a win.

Paul Gleghorne – whose brother Mark, a former Irish international, lined out for GB – finished off a fine team goal in game one (1-1) while Timmy Cockram’s pair of drag-flicks, including one on the final hooter, salvaged a 2-2 draw in the second encounter.

Ireland (Valencia, February 4-13): David Ames (Beeston), Jonny Bell (Lisnagarvey), Peter Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers), Chris Cargo (Reading), Peter Caruth (Annadale), Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey), Mitch Darling (SCHC), Brian Doherty (Beerschot), David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), Paul Gleghorne (Instonians), Conor Harte (SCHC), David Harte (SCHC), John Jackson (Braxgata), Stuart Loughrey (Loughborough Students), Jason Lynch (Royal Racing Club Brussels), Eugene Magee (Dragons), Phelie Maguire (Hurley), Geoff McCabe (R.S. Tenis), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge), Andy McConnell (Hurley), Shane O’Donoghue (UCD), Ian Sloan (Cookstown), Richard Sykes (Monkstown), Gareth Watkins (Monkstown), Michael Watt (R.S. Tenis), Stephen West (Three Rock Rovers)

Match schedule: February 6: Ireland v Spain, 12pm;  February 8: Ireland v Belgium, 12pm; February 9: Ireland v Belgium, 12pm; February 12: Ireland v Belgium, 4pm; February 13: Ireland v Spain, 12pm

Not since the decade of domination by Cork Harlequins in the late 90s and early 2000s has a Munster league crown been up for grabs so early, but Institute can wrap it up before spring is in the air if they defeat second-placed Quins on home turf at Rosbrien tomorrow (12pm).

Three points would open up a 10-point gap over Quins with just nine more points up for grabs, meaning the Limerick side couldn’t be caught.

Catholic Institute's Aoife Kenny and Nikki Sterritt will be celebrating again this weekend if their side can defeat Quins and secure a Munster title. Picture: Ondine Roche

Despite a 100% record from eight games that has seen them hit 48 goals and concede just three, this is far from a foregone conclusion for Ger O’Carroll’s defending champions.

They needed a penalty stroke to see off Quins 1-0 in Cork before Christmas, and the  ever-humble O’Carroll is not the kind of coach who will tolerate complacency.

Quins will bring with them a burning sense of injustice from the sides’ previous encounter, and the win-or-bust mentality should suit the likes of Karen Bateman, who is back among the goals since ending her first team retirement.

Top of the bill for Stephen Dale’s charges though, will be keeping Institute out of their circle to prevent corners, with Elaine Bromell, Eimear Cregan and Aoife Kenny giving a  powerful trio of shooting options from the top of the D.

Elsewhere, Bandon and Ashton’s attention turns to national matters and round three of the Irish Hockey  Trophy, a competition that yielded encouraging results for both sides last term.

Bandon welcome YMCA to West Cork fresh from their success over UL, hoping Ciara McCarthy can continue her fine goalscoring form — she netted a hat-trick against Avoca in round one and is among the top scorers for both the club’s first and second teams.

Elsewhere, Ashton go west to take on Galwegian outfit Greenfields with both sides likely to look to local rivals for some insider knowledge; NUIG hammered Ashton 7-2 in the Examiner Cup earlier this year, while UCC comfortable beat  Greenfields 4-1 in last year’s Irish Hockey League wildcard play-offs.

Meanwhile, Bandon’s men will be bracing themselves for a Catholic Institute onslaught when the sides meet at  Rosbrien tomorrow (2pm) in a clash that has banana skin written all over it.

Institute have endured a miserable season of heavy defeats but are quietly hopeful that can take points off Stephen Jackson’s men, who will be gunning to make amends for dropping a point at home to Quins B a fortnight ago.

Bandon endured a bout of ‘circle fever’ in that game but if they can work Ali Smith, David Smith and Scott Sullivan into dangerous positions, they could cut loose.

Cork C of I B host Quins on Saturday before the roles are  reversed on Monday night when C of I visit Quins B.

Men’s Div 1: Catholic Institute v Bandon, 2pm, Rosbrien; Cork C of I v Cork Harlequins, 1.30pm, Garryduff; Cork Harlequins B v Cork C of I, Monday, 8pm, Harlequin Park.

Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Trophy Rd 3: Omagh v Portadown, 2.30pm, Campsie Omagh; Greenfields v Ashton, 3pm, Dangan; Galway v Victorians, 1pm, Dangan; Bandon v YMCA, 1pm, Bandon Grammar; Naas v Wexford, 3.45pm, Naas; North Kildare v Clontarf, 1.30pm, Kilcock; NICS v Larne, 1pm Stormont; Ballymena v Dromore, 2.30pm, Showgrounds.

Women’s Div 1: Catholic Institute v Cork Harlequins, 12pm, Rosbrien.

Institute have largely swept away all challengers this term with Eimear Cregan notching 21 goals in seven games amid a glut of heavy wins, though her winner in the Limerick side’s 2-1 defeat of College at the start of the campaign was easily the most important of them.

Eimear Cregan's 21 goals in 7 games make her the top sharpshooter in Munster this season. Picture: Ivan O'Riordan

Only Cork Harlequins – who went down 1-0 on home turf – have gone that close to ending the champions’ 100% record. A youthful UCC outfit – nine of whom received sports scholarships from the college this week –  may have their work cut out as Insta have found form in a major way since then, despite the absence of defensive totem Elaine Bromell.

Elsewhere, Quins host Ashton needing a win to stay in touch while the visitors will be eyeing revenge for a 3-2 defeat in the reverse
fixture.

Ashton’s season hasn’t quite lived up to the promise shown last term but a 3-0 victory over C of I last weekend got them back on track, and Caroline McCarthy and Karen Stokes will again led their charge.

Quins had a ropey start too but have come good in recent weeks since coming from behind to dump College out of the Munster Senior Cup before Christmas. Cliodhna Sargent’s return has been a primary factor here as they’ve clocked up 11 goals in two games with the concession of just one, but she is likely to be international-tied this time around.

Kay Gaffney has marshalled the defence well all season, however, allowing skipper Yvonne O’Byrne to get forward; she created two in the 5-0 defeat of Bandon, and will have to be carefully watched by Ashton.

UL host Bandon on Sunday with both sides needing points to avoid getting sucked into a wooden spoon battle with basement side Church of Ireland, who have the weekend off.

The students will be hoping to welcome back Eadaoin Moore and Elaine Breen, who missed the 6-1 loss to Quins, while Bandon – who hit the road for the third successive weekend  - will be targeting this encounter for a confidence-booster having shipped 14 goals in their last two encounters away to Quins and Institute.

In the sole two men’s ties, Cork Church of Ireland will expect to defeat their second-string side without too much complications, while Cork Harlequins should maintain their 100% record at home to struggling Catholic Institute.

Men’s Div 1: Cork C of I v Cork C of I B, 12pm, Garryduff; Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, 12pm, Farmer’s Cross.

Women’s Div 1: UCC v Catholic Institute, 1pm, Mardyke; Cork Harlequins v Ashton, 3pm, Farmer’s Cross; Sunday: UL v Bandon, 1pm, UL.

Quins have a 100% record with College four points behind in second, but the students were left smarting in a 5-1 home loss the last time the sides met, in a Peard Cup semi-final last month.

Key to their hopes will be getting Shrew Power into space to use his pace to trouble the Quins defence as he did back in October, as well as carving out shooting opportunities for the often-deadly Fionn O’Leary and Roger Gray.

UCC's short corner unit will need to keep the Hobbs brother and David Eakins at bay when they take on Cork Harlequins.

Quins were having a fine season until the Peard Cup final humbling by C of I, with Mark Black’s absence a key factor. If he is back in harness, expect David Eakins and Phil McLaughlin to benefit.

Elsewhere, C of I will expect to extract maximum points from Catholic Institute’s visit to Garryduff, while Bandon seek to shake off the cobwebs from an inactive December as they host Quins B.

C of I survived December without many of their big hitters but should improve in the second half of the campaign with Phil Smith, Shane O’Donnell and Alec Moffett all expected back over the coming weeks.

Institute’s lack of depth has again hurt them this term and C of I will be confident they can carve out enough opportunities to do some damage.

Bandon will look to use the visit of Quins’ second string to re-ignite their campaign, which slowed to a near-crawl in recent weeks as a bare fixture list saw them play just twice since the beginning of  November.

The women’s league throws up a revenge mission for Cork Harlequins, as they visit UL tomorrow (1pm). The Limerick students stunned Stephen Dale’s side on the opening day by raiding Farmer’s Cross to nab a 2-1 win, one of Munster hockey’s biggest shocks in a long time.

George Blackwell’s side are without three of the stars of that victory; goalkeeper Elaine O’Flynn is on Erasmus but has an able deputy in South East U21 netminder Hillary Griffin, but replacing absent midfielders Elaine Breen and Eadaoin Moore could be a tougher task, especially with Karen Bateman now back roaming around that area for Quins.

Elsewhere, Bandon are the latest side bidding to stop the Catholic Institute bandwagon but they may be short on confidence after last weekend’s humbling at Quins.

That also applies to Cork C of I following heavy defeats to UCC and Institute, and things don’t get any easier for them as they visit an Ashton side who will be keen to build some form for the second half of the campaign, having not played a league game since November 26.

Lisnagarvey's Comber Road grounds - the venue for Banbridge's IHL title win last year - will again host the finals this May.

Further afield, the National Indoor Trophy finals weekend commands the attention in the other provinces, with Gormanston and Loughlinstown hosting the final groups on Saturday with the semi-finals and finals taking place at Tallaght’s National Basketball Arena on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Irish Hockey League finals will return to Lisnagarvey for 2012, after the Co Down club was again selected to host club hockey’s showpiece weekend.

The men’s and women’s semi-finals and finals will take place at the Comber Road venue on the Bank Holiday Weekend of May 5 and 6, as well as the wildcard qualification tournament for the 2012/13 season, provided there are no clashes in participating teams.

“With the IHA cup finals the following weekend in Dublin, it means we can spread the exposure of the two premier IHA senior club competitions to a large number of supporters and spectators. Lisnagarvey were fantastic hosts last year and we are delighted to be able to work with their team of volunteers again this year.”

The IHL working group also announced the IHL forum will take place on Sunday, March 11 in Dublin, allowing club representatives to debate the future of the tournament as well as taking in the men’s Olympic qualification tournament.

Men’s Div 1: UCC v Cork Harlequins, Mardyke, 1pm; Cork C of I v Catholic Institute, Garryduff, 2pm; Bandon v Cork Harlequins B, 3pm, Bandon Grammar. Women’s Div 1: Ashton v Cork C of I, 12.15pm, Ashton School; UL v Cork Harlequins, 1pm, UL; Catholic Institute v Bandon, 12pm, Rosbrien.

Muller had named a 20-strong squad who will travel on January 22 to Johannesburg for their six-game tour to thee Randburg stadium in Johannesburg  to play Belgium – who Ireland will face in Beerschot in March’s Olympic qualifiers – and the host nation.

For Frazer, it will be her first appearance in the side since 2010’s World Cup qualifiers in Chile while Healy has not donned the goalkeeping smock since the summer of that same year.

Megan Frazer playing for Ireland at the 2008 Celtic Cup in Garryduff. She has since won two NCAA titles Stateside with the Maryland Terrapins. Picture: Adrian Boehm

They are among six returnees to the selection from December’s tour of Argentina, joining the experienced quartet of Emma Clarke, Lisa Jacob, Emma Smyth and Nikki Symmons — just back following a hip operation before Christmas — adding 422 caps to the mix.

Missing out from the central preparation programme (CPP) are Niamh Atcheler, Hannah Bowe, Anna O’Flanagan and Niamh Small, all of whom played in Argentina.

Muller said: “This tour gives us an opportunity to build on the progress we made on our tour to Argentina in December.

“Both South Africa and Belgium are in the final stages of preparing for an Olympic qualification tournament, and therefore these games will be very competitive.  We will use these matches for match preparation and for player trials before settling on our Olympic qualifying team.”

Meanwhile, Ireland’s men will face four of the world’s top eleven sides in an intense five-week period as preprations ramp up for March’s Olympic qualifiers in Dublin.

For Paul Revington’s men, it gives them their first match practice since beating Spain 3-2 in August in a fifth place playoff in the European championships.

First up is a three-match series against world number three the Netherlands as part of a warm-weather camp in Alicante before the side travel to England and Bisham Abbey for a two-match series with Great Britain.

A week’s break preludes a return to Spain and Valencia where the second training camp will be interspersed with two games against the Spaniards and four ties with Belgium.

The IHA also this week confirmed February 29 as the date on which the squads for the respective OQTs will be announced.

IRELAND senior women’s panel for South Africa tour (club/caps): A Connery (Hermes, 41 caps); E Clarke (St Albans, 117); L Colvin (Loreto, 67); M Crowley (Hermes, 26); N Daly (Loreto, 26); N Evans (Railway Union, 18); M Frazer (University of Maryland, USA , 25); E Gray (GK, Hermes, 40); M Harvey (Pegasus, 72); L Healy (GK, Loreto, 53); L Jacob (Hermes, 93);  S McCarthy (Hermes, 37); S McCay (Old Alex, 127); A O’Flynn (Hermes, 50); C Sargent (Cork Harlequins, 100); E Smyth (Railway Union, 51); A Speers (Railway Union, capt, 111); N Symmons (Loreto, 161); P Smithwick (GK, Old Alex, 7); C Watkins (UCD, 26).

Quins were rocked on their heels before Christmas as a contentious penalty stroke saw Catholic Institute escape from Cork with all three points.

It leaves Quins seven points adrift of defending champions Institute after five games each, so Stephen Dale’s side cannot afford another slip-up.

Leanne Mullins: Developing into a key player for Cork Harlequins. Picture: Ondine Roche

John Dennis’ Bandon side have once again matched defensive solidity with a poor return in front of goal — they’ve hit just three goals in four league outings, but are mid-table with two wins from four. That’ll need to change if they are to maintain their own challenge for a top two slot, which was hit by a last-gasp loss to UCC last time out.

Ciara McCarthy and Amy Roycroft have made the vital interventions for them this term but Quins have a solid look about them since the return of Karen Bateman and Jane Chapple, while Leanne Mullins has come into her own in midfield.

Institute, for their part, must avoid complacency as they host basement side Cork Church of Ireland. Phil Smith’s young charges have yet to pick up a win this term but until a 6-0 aberration against UCC, margins had been fine in their previous encounters.

Emma Dobson and Emily Reidy are among thosethe young guns who might give Institute some headaches, but the Limerick side should have too much class throughout with Eimear Cregan finding the net for fun and Róisín Upton continuing her return to form since returning from the foot injury that prevented her captaining the Munster U18s at this year’s interpros.

Elsewhere, Institute’s men are playing catch-up in every sense, having yet to eke out a three-pointer and having gone without a league game since mid-November.

The arrival of one of the big two’s second string sides to Rosbrien sees opportunity knock for a confidence-boosting win, and it’s Cork C of I B who come calling tomorrow (12pm).

The visitors will be mostly serviced by the starlets of the Munster U16 and U18 sides but the hosts gave C of I’s firsts a good rattle for long periods in the Peard Cup and have dangermen up top in Eric Callender and Cathal Duggan.

Meanwhile, the National Indoor Trophy commands attention countrywide, with qualifiers underway in Leinster, Ulster and Connacht ahead of next weekend’s finals. No Munster sides entered the competition.

Men’s Div 1: Catholic Institute v Cork C of I B, 12pm, Rosbrien; Friendly: UCC v Cork C of I, 12pm, Mardyke.

Women’s Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Bandon, 12pm, Harlequin Park; Catholic Institute v Cork C of I, 1.30pm, Rosbrien.

Paul Revington: Won three trophies with Ireland, finished 5th in Europe and helped the side rise two places to 16th in world rankings. Picture: Adrian Boehm

The annual International Hockey Federation (FIH) awards are voted for online by players and supporters worldwide, with All Star panels for both the men’s and women’s games named.

Revington was named alongside Australian Colin Batch, who led Belgium to the Olympics, as an All Star coach, and becomes the first Irish coach to claim such an accolade.

It follows a stunning year that saw his young side produce an above-ranking fifth place finish in August’s European championships.

Ireland also annexed the Celtic Cup, Champions Challenge II and INSEP Five Nations — where they were the lowest-ranked side in contention — trophies, with a 5-1 mauling of world number six Korea the individual highlight.

The side also jumped two places to 16th in the world, and will enter March’s Olympic qualification tournament on home soil in Dublin with confidence.

For the full list of FIH All Star players and coaches, click here.

Audrey O'Flynn (left) and Cliodhna Sargent have become mainstays of the Irish women's team's defence. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Sargent became just the 20th female player in Irish hockey history to notch 100 caps, and at 23 she is the second youngest to do so — team-mate Shirley McCay, who reached the ton in April, is six months younger than her.

O’Flynn hit the 50-cap mark in yesterday’s clash, reaching the landmark in less than two years since her debut against Belgium in February 2010.

She notched Ireland’s equaliser in a 2-1 defeat to world champions Argentina in Parana on Saturday night — a drag-flick to the bottom corner — as Ireland continued to be competitive against higher-ranking opponents while frustratingly letting games slip away.

The pattern continued in last night’s bronze medal playoff against India, with Ireland going in front seven minutes in through Áine Connery but eventually losing 4-1, a scoreline which flattered the Indians, who claimed a couple of late goals while Ireland had Sargent operating as a kicking back to add the gloss.

Connery’s goals have been among the positives for Ireland, with Alex Speers also getting on the scoresheet at a time when the side looked too reliant on their corner strikers – almost exclusively defenders – for goals.

Confidence will be high going into 2012, but there’s nonetheless plenty to work on – in five of the eight games on this tour, Ireland turned potential wins into draws or draws into losses.

Four Nations, Buenos Aires/Parana, Argentina (Irish results only)

Ireland 0 South Africa 2
Ireland 1 (C Sargent) India 0
Ireland 2 (S McCay, C Sargent) Argentina 2
3rd/4th playoff: Ireland 1 (M Harvey) India 1 (aet, India win 4-2 on strokes)

Ireland 2 (A Connery, A Speers) South Africa 2
Ireland 1 (C Sargent) India 2
Ireland 1 (A O’Flynn) Argentina 2
3rd/4th playoff: Ireland 1 (A Connery) India 4

The Garryduff outfit face bitter rivals Quins twice during the festive season, beginning with tomorrow’s Munster league clash before they lock horns in the Peard Cup final nine days later.

C of I have had to do without talisman John Jermyn (ankle) since October, while key defender Phil Smith is honeymooning and Alec Moffett (broken hand) and Shane O’Donnell (family commitments) are also out.

Andy Herbert's return from his Australian soujourn has boosted injury-hit Cork C of I. Picture: Adrian Boehm

In the plus column, former Irish international midfielder Andy Herbert has made a timely return from Australia, where he continued to play high level hockey following his 2010 departure.

He lined out for the blues against Bandon last week and will be joined in the side by another experienced campaigner in Karl Burns, while Munster U16 pair Alex Burns and Simon Wolfe have also been called up.

Nonetheless, it all means Quins, who are operating largely at full strength with Paul Lombard, Phil McLaughlin and Jason Black back in harness, will be plotting a repeat of their successful raid of Garryduff in April, a 3-2 success which saw them deny C of I a fifth successive league title.

Elsewhere, the first of three pivotal women’s encounters sees champions Catholic Institute face their first major test on the road this term as they head to Cork Harlequins.

The Limerick outfit have drawn their last two encounters here, including a scoreless stalemate last term which denied them a 100% seasonal record at the last hurdle, but have been in ominous form recently, hitting a combined 19 goals past Ashton and UL in recent weeks.

Quins, however, have been buoyed by the return of Karen Bateman, not to mention last weekend’s come-from-behind 3-2 Munster Senior Cup win at UCC.

Meanwhile, UCC and Bandon meet in west Cork, with the stakes especially high for the students, who lie four points off Institute in second but have played a game extra and already lost twice this term.

It’s been something of a yo-yo campaign for Paidi Hartnett’s side as they continue to bed in a raft of freshers; Amy Kate Trevor’s range of passing has been a major addition, while Steffi Bowe and Emily O’Leary have added sparkle and goals to the attack.

But their collective inexperience has been shown up a couple of times, particularly the 2-1 reverse to Ashton and the 9-0 capitulation at Railway Union, not to mention giving up a two-goal lead against Quins last weekend.

For Bandon’s part, Amy Roycroft, Ciara McCarthy and Emma Peters have starred in a workmanlike campaign that’s seen them eke out six points from nine in the league, make a Munster Senior Cup semi-final and advance in the Irish Trophy.

John Dennis has made them more difficult to beat since they were carved apart by Institute on day one, and they will be keen to re-assert some superiority over College having endured a couple of reversals on home turf to them in recent years.

Germaine Doorenbosch's (left) stint with UL is over as she returns to Holland, while Amy Roycroft (right) is in fine form for Bandon. Picture: Ondine Roche

Finally, Ashton and UL lock horns in Limerick with both looking to avoid being cut adrift by the top four.

In some ways, these sides’ seasons have mirrored each other. Ashton began with high hopes after an excellent campaign last term, but have suffered a number of setbacks and struggled for consistency with long breaks between fixtures due to byes in both the MSC and IHT competitions.

For UL’s part, they stunned everyone in beating Quins at Farmer’s Cross and followed it up with strong performances at Bandon and C of I.

But a heartbreaking IHT exit on penalty strokes to YMCA put a spanner in the works, and they’ve had the misfortune of having to play Institute on back-to-back weekends since.

They are likely to be without the infuential Laura Peters, who is sidelined with a foot injury, while Germaine Doorenbosch’s short stint with the club has ended as she has returned to Holland.

Both sides will therefore be keen on a confidence booster before the Christmas break, with Caroline McCarthy and Karen Stokes the key women for Ashton while Steph Peters, Jean Devoy and goalkeeper Elaine O’Flynn will be pivotal to UL’s cause.

Further afield, the provincial qualification groups for the National Indoor Trophy get underway in Leinster and Ulster.

Bandon’s decision to pull out from both the men’s and women’s competitions mean that Galway and Greenfields will battle it out to qualify from the Munster/Connacht group on January 7, while UCC are the last Munster side standing on the men’s side by default.

Men’s Munster Div 1: Cork C of I v Cork Harlequins, 2pm, Garryduff.

Women’s Munster Div 1: Bandon v UCC, 10.45am, Bandon Grammar; Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, 12pm, Farmer’s Cross; UL v Ashton, TBC, UL.