College gunning for Insta revenge

Catholic Institute will once again be forced to keep their enemies close as they aim to raid the Mardyke once more when visiting UCC in today’s Munster Senior Cup semi-final (12pm). A quirk of the fixture list has Munster’s top two playing each other four times across three competitions in the space of a month. This instalment is round two, after Institute edged College out 1-0 at the same venue in league action a fortnight ago. College must visit Rosbrien in eight days’ time for the return league clash – which could decide the destination of the title – while Institute are back in the ‘Dyke a fortnight later for the duo’s final Irish Hockey League pool clash.

Eimear Cregan’s ongoing availability for Institute since her international retirement could once again prove the difference; her class won the day last time out. The winner of this clash will be automatic favourites in the final, where they will meet either Cork C of I or Cork Harlequins, who square off at Garryduff (3.30pm). Two seasons ago, this would be considered a heavyweight clash but both sides have been stripped of their most experienced campaigners for various reasons and are very much in transition. Both outfits have nonetheless improved since Quins won a scrappy league tie 2-0 here in October, while the winner of the midfield tussle between Quins’ Rachel McSharry and C of I’s returning Sandra Hackett could help tip the balance overall. Longer term, there is some good news for C of I with news of Melanie Ryan’s return to first-team action. The former Ireland A international took some time out of the game after last season but is set to return to the C of I line-up in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, places in the competition’s plate final are also up for grabs as UL host Ashton and Bandon visit a rejuvenated Belvedere. Munster Senior Cup semi-finals: UCC v Catholic Institute (Mardyke, 12pm); Cork C of I v Cork Harlequins (Garryduff, 3.30); Munster Senior Plate semi-finals: UL v Ashton (UL, TBC); Belvedere v Bandon (Ballincollig CS, 12pm).