Clubs facing league and cup juggling act

The country’s top hockey clubs are fighting battles on dual fronts this weekend, with vital league clashes mixed in with the novelty of the start of their Irish Junior Cup campaign. A handful of players will therefore be in action twice in 24 hours, potentially at opposite ends of the country. UCC’s men will be hoping there are no ill-effects from an IJC trip to Antrim’s Mossley when their firsts meet Catholic Institute at the Mardyke on Sunday — their first clash against an outfit outside last year’s top three in Munster.

Institute may have revenge on their minds after shipping a 5-1 defeat in the Irish Trophy before Christmas, and have shocked the students in the past. But if College’s Gray brothers Roger and Andy bring their drag-flicking A-game, it should give the hosts a first league win of the season. Cork Harlequins will also have plenty of travel in their legs; their seconds face South Antrim away before the firsts host Cork C of I B at home on Sunday where they will expect to maintain their 100% league record. The tie of the weekend takes place at Garryduff on Sunday, where Cork C of I will expect to be fully tested by Bandon. C of I may be without John Jermyn and Billy Lynch due to international commitments, and Bandon — who will look to Andrew Scannell, Ali Smith and David Smith to do goal-scoring damage — will know a result of any kind will provide a significant boost to their Irish Hockey League qualification hopes. Meanwhile, Catholic Institute’s women will be confident of putting Ashton to the sword as the Limerick girls visit Cork looking to make it eight wins from eight in the league this term. UCC are leading the chasing pack, five points behind Institute with a game in hand. They will be confident of picking up three points from their home clash with Cork C of I — formerly a bogey side for the students, but now in mid-table as they undergo a period of transition. Cork Harlequins should also stay in touch with a win at winless Belvedere, while Bandon will fancy their chances of doing the double over UL with victory in Limerick. All fixtures Saturday unless stated Men’s Div 1 (all Sunday): UCC v Catholic Institute, 12.30pm, Mardyke; Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I B, 1pm, Harlequin Park; Cork C of I v Bandon, 3pm, Garryduff. Men’s Irish Junior Cup Rd 1: Railway Union vs Kilkeel, 3pm, Park Avenue; Bandon vs Fingal, 2.30pm, Bandon GS; Monkstown vs Raphoe, 3pm, Rathdown; Banbridge vs Belfast Harlequins, 1pm, Havelock Park; Mossley vs UCC, 2.30pm, The Glade; NICS vs Antrim, 4pm, Stormont; Clontarf vs Pembroke, 4.15pm, Mount Temple; South Antrim vs Cork Harlequins, 2pm, Laurehill Sportszone; North Down vs Newry, 1pm, Comber Leisure Centre; YMCA vs Dublin Uni, 2pm, Claremont Road; Glenanne vs Instonians, 12.30pm, Glenanne Park; UCD vs Annadale, 2.30pm, Belfield; Lisnagarvey vs Cookstown, 2.30pm, Hillsborough; Corinthian vs Armagh, 2.30pm, Whitechurch Park. Women’s Div 1: Ashton vs Catholic Institute, 12.15pm, Ashton; Belvedere v Cork Harlequins, 12pm, Ballincollig CS; UCC v Cork C of I, Sunday, 2pm, Mardyke; UL v Bandon, Sunday, 3pm, UL. ESB Women’s Irish Junior Cup Rd 1: Queens vs Portadown, 1pm, Queens playing fields sand; Railway Union vs Ulster Elks, 1pm, Park Avenue; Lurgan vs Armagh, 2.30pm, Lurgan HS; UCD vs Catholic Institute, 4.15pm, Belfield; Belfast Harlequins vs Greenisland, 4pm, Deramore Park; Old Alex vs Cork C of I, 1.15pm, Alexandra College; Bandon vs Loreto, 12.30pm, Bandon School; Pegasus vs Victorians, 4pm, Queens; Dromore vs Corinthian, 1pm, Ferris Park; Randalstown vs Pembroke Wanderers, 1pm, Antrim Forum; Lisnagarvey vs Glenanne, 2,30pm, Hillsborough; Hermes vs Cork Harlequins, 1.15pm, St Andrew’s; Ashton vs Galway, 2pm, Ashton School; UCC vs Genesis, 3pm, Mardyke; Result: Dublin Uni w/o Omagh scr. ESB Women’s Irish Hockey Challenge Rd 1: NUIG vs Kilkenny, 1.30pm, Dangan.