Each of Munster’s three representatives in the women’s Irish Hockey League will be seeking capital gains this weekend as all face tricky trips to Dublin for the second round of the competition — where they will renew acquaintances with former team-mates.
Ireland have been left with the unenviable task of having to defeat hosts Argentina by three goals on Saturday to have any chance of keeping their World Cup qualification hopes alive after drawing with the Czech Republic.
Ten goals and two wins represents a satisfactory start to Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign in Argentina, but Paul Revington will know his side must step up a gear in their crucial clash with Belgium tomorrow.
UCC turned the formbook on its head with a penalty strokes win over Quins in the women’s Irish Junior Cup, while three other Munster sides progressed to round three. Quins and Institute continued their winning ways in the women’s league, while Quins B claimed a notable win at Institute in the only tie of a men’s programme hit by postponements.
Ireland coach Paul Revington has described the loss of C of I’s David Hobbs and Gleanne’s Joe Brennan to injury on the eve of his side’s World Cup qualification campaign as “a body blow” to their hopes of progressing.
Karen Bateman was once again the match-winner as Quins saw off Old Alex in the unusual surrounds of Garryduff, but a second-half onslaught wasn’t enough to prevent UCC from crashing out of the ESB Irish Senior Cup at Ards, while former College girl Aine Connery (above) didn’t have much luck either as her Hermes side went down to Railway.