Munster sides set for bridesmaid roles

Barring an avalanche of goals for Cork C of I and a YMCA slip-up at TRR, Munster sides will play peripheral roles once more as the business end of the Irish Hockey League pool stage rolls around. Catholic Institute can be king-makers as they host semi-final hopefuls UCD in Pool A, and they’ll be determined to prove their worth at this level after last week’s frustration at the hands of Hermes. Institute hammered the Dubliners’ goal for long periods last weekend but still ended up on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline. They’ll hope to take that anger out on Leinster league champions UCD, who are point behind second-placed Pegasus and have lots of international-calibre firepower in Deirdre Duke, Chloe Watkins and Anna O’Flanagan to call upon.

Pegs host already-qualified Hermes with the Belfast side needing to better UCD’s result at Rosbrien to join the Booterstown outfit in the semi-finals. Pool B is even tighter with just two points separating Loreto, Railway Union and Ballymoney. Railway head to Cork to take on Harlequins — a repeat of the 2010 final — knowing victory is enough to advance, while things will be finely balanced at the Joey Dunlop Centre where Ballymoney welcome Loreto, the latter needing a losing bonus point as a minimum requirement. Quins will welcome back former member Julia O’Halloran to Farmer’s Cross but she’s not the only dangerous forward they’ll have to keep tabs on – four of Leinster’s top goalscorers this term – including runaway leader Jean McDonnell – are in Mick McKinnon’s ranks. Each pool has a dead rubber that’s an effective wooden spoon battle to play out too; Old Alex meet Armagh in Pool A while UCC host Lurgan in Pool B. The students’ season will be extended far into May’s exam season as their wildcards have been moved to May 18-20 due to Hermes’ presence in the IHL semi-finals, a headache which could also yet befall the Mardyke’s men’s side. This is their last meaningful encounter before then, so they’ll want to finish their IHL campaign on a high to keep confidence up for the wildcards. Irish Youth Olympian Amy Kate Trevor is bang in form at centre-back but it’s been a while since College performed in a big game. Like the Cork students, Lurgan have found goals hard to come by and have shipped some heavy defeats, but they will take confidence from a 1-1 draw with Quins that could prove a useful barometer for them. There’s similarly tight permutations for the men’s competition, particularly in Pool A. Cookstown, with a three-point lead, are almost there and will be keen to make sure on their own terms as they visit Ulster rivals Instonians. But the Tyrone men could yet be edged out should Banbridge and Monkstown, tied in second place on 10 points with the same goal difference, eke out bonus point victories over already-eliminated Glenanne and Cork Harlequins respectively. Quins hit the road to Rathdown mainly looking to restore pride after last weekend’s 5-0 mauling at home to Cookstown, who withstood a first quarter onslaught before pulling clear.

But they’ll also look at this encounter as a freebie chance to discover some form ahead of next weekend’s Irish Senior Cup quarter-final assignment at home to Banbridge, not to mention a potential Munster title playoff against C of I. Pool B’s crucial game takes place at Milltown, where YMCA host Three Rock Rovers needing to avoid defeat by more than a single goal to advance to join runaway leaders Lisnagarvey in the last four. Should the Dubliners side slip up, Annadale and Cork C of I are the sides who could mathematically take advantage, should either record a bonus point victory in the duo’s showdown at Lough Moss in Belfast. However, there would still be a major goal difference deficit to make up on YM. C of I were left completely deflated by a 2-0 reverse to a youthful Three Rock last weekend, having monopolised possession. Chance conversion is an issue for them right now – it was a similar story in the Munster Senior Cup final defeat to Quins – and although ‘Dale aren’t the most solid side defensively, they have quality attackers in Peter Caruth and Andy Williamson to rely on. The pool’s dead rubber sees Lisnagarvey host Pembroke Wanderers, though the latter’s netminder David Williamson will be keen to put one over his former team-mates while ‘Garvey are protecting a 100% record in this tournament. Meanwhile, the Irish Junior Cup finals take place on Sunday as a double-header at Belfield, with Loreto strongly favoured to overcome Pembroke Wanderers in the ladies’ final while surprise package Corinthian meet Cookstown in the men’s decider. Irish Hockey League, Round 5 Men’s Pool A (all 3pm): Glenanne v Banbridge, St Mark’s; Monkstown v Cork Harlequins, Rathdown; Instonians v Cookstown, Shaw’s Bridge. Men’s Pool B (all 2pm): Annadale v Cork C of I, Lough Moss; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke Wanderers, Hillsborough; YMCA v Three Rock Rovers, Milltown. Women’s Pool A (all 1pm): Pegasus v Hermes, Queen’s University; Catholic Institute v UCD, Rosbrien; Armagh v Old Alex, Ardmore LC; Women’s Pool B (all 3pm): Cork Harlequins v Railway Union, Farmer’s Cross; Ballymoney v Loreto, Joey Dunlop Centre; UCC v Lurgan, Mardyke.