With the opening round of the Irish Trophy getting underway – plus the need, already, to give the league tables a more realistic look by evening up the ‘matches played’ columns – there’s a reduced programme in Munster’s Division One this weekend.
The pick of the men’s matches, unusually doesn’t feature the firsts of C of I and Quins. Rather, the Rochestown outfit’s seconds host Bandon in a game that should tell a lot about the west Cork side’s competitiveness this year.
Bandon have already seen off Quins’ seconds earlier this term, but may find the going tougher at Garryduff. The form of Alastair Smith does give them reason to be confident, however; the 18-year-old bagged a hat-trick against Quins, and brought his form to the varsities in Kilkenny, where his double helped CIT defeat Ulster Elks 2-1.
They also possess a wildcard in Graham Kingston, who has settled back into hockey after a couple of years out of the game. One of the most naturally talented finishers at schools level, Kingston still retains the ability to turn a game on its head at any time.
In the other men’s games, it’s hard to envisage wins for either UCC or Quins B, who take on Quins A and C of I A respectively.
Elsewhere, aside from the UCC-C of I clash (previewed elsewhere) there’s just one other Division One women’s game this weekend, a bottom-of-the-table scrap between Ashton and Belvedere, while Catholic Institute host Galway in the new Irish Trophy competition.
The Limerick girls have had a Jekyll and Hyde start to the campaign, but Kym Daly, Rosie Pratt and Naomi Carroll have found some goalscoring form in recent weeks. They won’t have it all their own way against a Galway side littered with underage internationals, however.
Institute are also setting the pace once more in the women’s Division Two, and will be confident of taking three points off bottom-of-the-table UCC. In the men’s second tier, Galway’s position as leaders is safe even though they have the weekend off, though Limerick can tie with C of I C in second if they see off C of I D.
