College out to clip Pegasus’s wings

UCC will bid to put off-field distractions behind them tomorrow when they lock horns with Belfast giants Pegasus in a game that has all the makings of a six-pointer in Pool B of the women’s Irish Hockey League. College have had to deal with the trauma of going cap in hand to schools and clubs around Munster in search of training and match facilities after their grounds at The Mardyke were decimated by flooding in recent weeks. Garryduff, home of Cork C of I, is therefore the venue for this clash, in which the students will seek to bounce back from a 2-0 reverse at Hermes in round two, though they must do so without in-form forward Vicky O’Sullivan, who is out until the new year with a broken hand.

Pool-toppers Pegs represent a heady challenge though, as they seek to reassert their dominance on the national stage, which was broken by UCD and Loreto last term. An away win here could see them plant one foot in the semi-finals, while a College victory would ensure this pool remains intriguingly tightly-fought. Such has been the close nature of the battles that holders Loreto are still searching for their first victory — which they will be hopeful of claiming on home turf against Randalstown on Sunday. Old Alex will be keen to prove they are genuine contenders in their maiden IHL season as they host Hermes, having picked up five points on their travels in the first two rounds. Hermes’ win over College brought them back into contention after a round one defeat to Pegs, but they will be without teen starlets Deirdre Duke and Chloe Watkins for this encounter. In Pool A, Railway Union — who have picked up a maximum eight points from two games thus far — will have one foot in the last four if they can pick up a victory at winless Ballymoney. Cork C of I are also heading north, and must get something from their visit to Ards or they can forget about any faint hopes of progression. They will have noted UCC’s recent ISC loss and Railway’s narrow win there in the following round, and must quell the scoring threat of Katy Fraser.

Cork Harlequins will be keen to crank up the pressure on Railway by securing victory over Pembroke Wanderers, and will be glad to be back on familiar turf at Farmer’s Cross after recent defeats on the road to Railway and UCD. Meanwhile, three Munster sides are on Irish Trophy duty this weekend, with Bandon facing the toughest test as they go to Connacht league leaders Galway. In-form Catholic Institute will fancy their chances at home to Clontarf, as will Ashton, who host Greenfields. Irish Hockey League Rd 3 Pool A: Ballymoney vs Railway Union (Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30pm); Cork Harlequins vs Pembroke Wanderers (Harlequin Park, 4pm) Sunday: Ards vs Cork C of I (CIYMS Belfast, 1pm). Pool B: UCC vs Pegasus (Garryduff, 12.30pm); Old Alex vs Hermes (Milltown, 2.45pm); Sunday: Loreto vs Randalstown (Loreto Beaufort, 3pm). Irish Hockey Trophy Rd 2: Galway vs Bandon (Dangan, 12pm); Catholic Institute vs Clontarf (Rosbrien, 1.30pm); Ashton vs Greenfields (Ashton School, 2.45pm).