Judgement day for Munster IHL hopes

After a five-month hiatus, the IHL returns to action for the penultimate round of fixtures which are likely to prove pivotal for Munster’s leading lights.

On the men’s side, Cork C of I are best placed after three rounds facing winless Three Rock Rovers, a side short on outdoor form since the end of a fruitful indoor season which yielded the national title and a European silver medal. For CI, more of the form which accounted for city rivals Harlequins three weekends ago could well see them break into the playoff places. They will likely have to contend with the absence of Andrew Daunt who was injured in Munster’s U-21 interprovincial campaign last weekend. But Rovers are a side shy on players, too, missing Irish striker Peter Blakeney and underage international Ross Canning while former Midleton man Craig Moore is struggling for fitness. Should C of I take advantage, with just one point currently separating second and fifth, it could open up Pool B with an all or nothing date against Annadale in round five of the competition. One of YMCA and Pembroke at least will drop points while the meeting of first and third, Lisnagarvey and Annadale, means a full compliment would push them into major contention. Harlequins’ task, meanwhile, is more on the unlikely side as Banbridge, Cookstown and Monkstown look set to divvy up the two semi-final places between them. The long trip from Co Tyrone could be in the Cookstown legs at Farmer’s Cross but the international quality of Ian Sloan in midfield is a talent Mark and Jason Black will need to tame. A loss will pretty much end their interest in the competition bar defeats for Monkstown and Banbridge who face tricky ties against Glenanne and Instonians. UCC’s push for a maiden IHL berth could progress one step should they win at bottom-placed Catholic Institute, a result which move them within touching distance of confirming a wildcard spot. They do so buoyed by Brian Corcoran, Adam O’Callaghan, Peter Catchpole, Stuart O’Grady and Fionn O’Leary’s call-ups for Irish U-21 trials. On the women’s side, Harlequins meet UCC in a battle for the minor Pool B places but Catholic Institute are right in the mix at the top of a congested Pool A with four sides battling for two finals’ weekend places.

They travel to Dublin to play a Hermes’ side able to call upon five of their half-dozen internationals but Dripsey native Audrey O’Flynn is out as she nurses a broken jaw sustained at the Olympic qualifiers in Belgium. Insta must win to remain in contention in the pool for a semi final place. The two teams met in the competition last year with Hermes coming out 2-1 winners in a pivotal tie. Institute will look to the experience of Eimear Cregan and Elaine Bromell on the day. Last weekend’s EuroHockey Club Champion’s Trophy victory has shown just how threatening Pegasus can be, especially with Suzanne Beaney, Vanessa Surgeoner and Claire McMahon all in scintillating form. Their exploits look to virtually assure Ireland – and this season’s IHL winners – a first ever place in the new format of European Club Champions Cup. It raises the stakes going into round four of the Irish Hockey League. For Pegs, their main worry for the battle with Armagh is availability of defensive lynch-pin Arlene Boyles who took an injury toward the end of that intense tournament. Cork C of I ladies, meanwhile, hold up the province’s end in the Irish Junior Cup, facing a mighty battle on Sunday at the home of Leinster division two champions Loreto. Fixtures (all Saturday unless stated) Men Irish Hockey League Pool A: Banbridge v Instonians, 6pm, Havelock Park; Cork Harlequins v Cookstown, 1pm, Farmer’s Cross; Glenanne v Monkstown, 3pm, St Mark’s Pool B: Cork C of I v Three Rock Rovers, 2.30pm, Garryduff; Lisnagarvey v Annadale, 4pm, Comber Road; YMCA v Pembroke Wanderers, 1.30pm, Milltown Irish Junior Cup (Sunday): Cookstown v Banbridge, 3pm, Coolnafranky; Corinthian v Lisnagarvey, 1pm, Whitechurch Park Women Electric Ireland Irish Hockey League Pool A: Pegasus v Armagh, 2.30pm, Queen’s; Hermes v Catholic Institute, 3pm, St Andrews; UCD v Old Alex, 4.20pm, Belfield; Pool B: Cork Harlequins v UCC, 3pm, Farmer’s Cross; Loreto v Railway Union, 2pm, Beaufort; Ballymoney v Lurgan, 2.30pm, Joey Dunlop Centre Electric Ireland Irish Junior Cup (Sunday): Pembroke v Hermes, 2pm, Serpentine Avenue; Loreto v Cork C of I, 1pm, Beaufort