Catholic Institute will look to build on the momentum generated by their hard-earned victory over UCC when they visit Bandon today (12pm).
Insta saw off College 2-0 to roar back into the title race last Saturday but it will count for little if they drop points in west Cork. Both sides have plenty in common with a smattering of Munster and Irish underage internationals coming up to replace older heads who have moved on or retired, while both have key fulcrums up front.
The difference is that while Insta will be without Naomi Carroll – on Ireland duty in Spain – Bandon have former Ireland U21 starlet Olivia Roycroft in tow as the Belgian league in which she plies her trade is still in its winter break.
The visitors nonetheless have greater strength in depth should Ger O’Carroll have a full deck at her disposal, and will start as favourites. But if Bandon can keep Insta out of their circle and utilise the pace of recent Munster U21 call-up Loraine Copithorne on the break, a shock result is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Cork Harlequins are also missing key players Cliodhna Sargent and Yvonne O’Byrne due to Irish commitments and thus will be glad to have the league’s basement side, Fermoy, at home – the first of three consecutive fixtures away to the top three for the north Cork girls.
The champions were in ruthless form when winning the reverse fixture by a facile 13-0 margin and shouldn’t have too much difficulty collecting three points here. The visitors will hope to have shown some improvement since then and have midfielder Maeve Murphy and goalkeeper Ondine Roche back in situ, although pacy forward Trish Fitzpatrick is away.
Limerick head south to play Cork C of I, hoping to ruffle some feathers having come on since their 4-0 home defeat to the same opposition on the opening day of the campaign, with Sandra Hedigan and Lorraine McGowan among the key attackers.
Eddie Kirwan’s charges felt they were closer to Cork Harlequins than the 4-1 scoreline suggested last weekend however, and with Ali O’Connor back and young guns Sinead James and Emma Barber in fine form, they will be targeting maximum points.
Ashton’s pitch has been both frozen and flooded at varying stages this week but they will hope for a dry day as UCC come calling.
College have plenty of frustration to take out after failing to score in their crucial game against Insta last week, while Kate Harvey, Shauna Fagan and Emma Dobson are likely to want to impress in their first game against their former club.
Irish U16 midfielder Michelle Barry is growing into an important fulcrum for the hosts while Mary-Claire Cummins and Caroline McCarthy are among the others who can hurt Paidi Hartnett’s side if they are not fully tuned in.
Cork Harlequins’ visit to Bandon is the main attraction in the men’s Division One, with the two C of I sides playing each other.
Bandon made history when beating Quins 1-0 earlier this season and are on a good run of form which has taken them to second in the table, with Ali Smith’s return providing an attacking outlet that can change a game. Quins, however, have found some consistency of personnel recently after a messy start to the campaign and with Paul Lombard fighting fit and stamping his authority on games, could turn the tables here.
Women’s Div 1: Bandon v Catholic Institute, Bandon Grammar, 12pm; Cork C of I v Limerick, Garryduff, 1pm; Ashton v UCC, Ashton School, 1.30pm; Cork Harlequins v Fermoy, Farmer’s Cross, 3pm.
Men’s Div 1: Bandon v Cork Harlequins, Bandon Grammar, 2pm; Cork C of I v Cork C of I B, Garryduff, 3pm.
The visitors nonetheless have greater strength in depth should Ger O’Carroll have a full deck at her disposal, and will start as favourites. But if Bandon can keep Insta out of their circle and utilise the pace of recent Munster U21 call-up Loraine Copithorne on the break, a shock result is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Cork Harlequins are also missing key players Cliodhna Sargent and Yvonne O’Byrne due to Irish commitments and thus will be glad to have the league’s basement side, Fermoy, at home – the first of three consecutive fixtures away to the top three for the north Cork girls.
The champions were in ruthless form when winning the reverse fixture by a facile 13-0 margin and shouldn’t have too much difficulty collecting three points here. The visitors will hope to have shown some improvement since then and have midfielder Maeve Murphy and goalkeeper Ondine Roche back in situ, although pacy forward Trish Fitzpatrick is away.
Limerick head south to play Cork C of I, hoping to ruffle some feathers having come on since their 4-0 home defeat to the same opposition on the opening day of the campaign, with Sandra Hedigan and Lorraine McGowan among the key attackers.
Eddie Kirwan’s charges felt they were closer to Cork Harlequins than the 4-1 scoreline suggested last weekend however, and with Ali O’Connor back and young guns Sinead James and Emma Barber in fine form, they will be targeting maximum points.
Ashton’s pitch has been both frozen and flooded at varying stages this week but they will hope for a dry day as UCC come calling.
College have plenty of frustration to take out after failing to score in their crucial game against Insta last week, while Kate Harvey, Shauna Fagan and Emma Dobson are likely to want to impress in their first game against their former club.
Irish U16 midfielder Michelle Barry is growing into an important fulcrum for the hosts while Mary-Claire Cummins and Caroline McCarthy are among the others who can hurt Paidi Hartnett’s side if they are not fully tuned in.
Cork Harlequins’ visit to Bandon is the main attraction in the men’s Division One, with the two C of I sides playing each other.
Bandon made history when beating Quins 1-0 earlier this season and are on a good run of form which has taken them to second in the table, with Ali Smith’s return providing an attacking outlet that can change a game. Quins, however, have found some consistency of personnel recently after a messy start to the campaign and with Paul Lombard fighting fit and stamping his authority on games, could turn the tables here.
Women’s Div 1: Bandon v Catholic Institute, Bandon Grammar, 12pm; Cork C of I v Limerick, Garryduff, 1pm; Ashton v UCC, Ashton School, 1.30pm; Cork Harlequins v Fermoy, Farmer’s Cross, 3pm.
Men’s Div 1: Bandon v Cork Harlequins, Bandon Grammar, 2pm; Cork C of I v Cork C of I B, Garryduff, 3pm.