Munster trio hunting semi-final berths

The Irish Hockey Trophy quarter-finals command most of this weekend’s attention, with see three Munster sides looking to get on the right path to sniff out some silverware. Catholic Institute’s men will hope their recent improvement in goalscoring can continue as they host Donegal side Raphoe at Rosbrien, with Cathal Duggan, Simon Brickenden and Eric Callendar their primary dangermen while goalkeeper Tristan Murphy commands the circle at the other end.

They will nonetheless need to tighten up at the back against an outfit who have winning form – they are battling Antrim for promotion to Ulster’s premier division – and who are well used to picking out precise long hit-passes on the sand at their Royal and Prior grounds. UCC, last year’s beaten finalists, must again familiarise themselves with northern opposition as they hit the road to play Bangor, hoping to learn the defensive lessons from last weekend’s 4-3 Munster Senior Cup defeat to Bandon. College won at Raphoe last year and saw off Antrim 4-3 in round one this season, and Neil Welch will be keen to unleash his pacemen, Fionn O’Leary and Shrew Power, against a side who have the second-worst defensive record in Ulster’s second tier (where they lie 5th of 10) but one of its more potent attacks. In the women’s competition, Bandon welcome Galway outfit Greenfields with the club high on confidence following a number of big results on the national stage, not least the 5-1 dismissal of YMCA in the previous round. The Connacht outfit were edged out 2-1 by Bandon on neutral territory in Limerick earlier this term, but have been in the mix at IHL wildcard playoffs and are well used to competing against top sides. Domestically, Cork C of I’s men begin their attempt to chase down leaders Cork Harlequins with a tough assignment in Bandon, while Quins and C of I’s B teams meet at Garryduff. Catholic Institute have already won the women’s Division One title but are seeking a ‘perfect’ season, visiting basement side Cork C of I tonight. UCC’s women go to Ashton  in a tie that could go a long way to deciding each side’s hopes of earning an Irish Hockey League wildcard qualifier slot, though College still have ambitions of overhauling Quins to finish second. Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Trophy Men’s quarter-finals: Catholic Institute v Raphoe, 1pm, Rosbrien; Portadown v Armagh, 1pm, Edenvilla Park; South Antrim v Rathgar Chiefs, Laurelhill, 2.30pm; Bangor v UCC, 2.30pm, Bangor Sportsplex. Women’s quarter-finals: Wexford v NICS, 2pm, Astro Active, Enniscorthy; Bandon v Greenfields, 1pm, Bandon Grammar; Women’s 3rd Round: Ballymena v Dromore, 2.30pm, Ballymena Showgrounds, Omagh v Portadown, TBC. Munster Men’s Div 1: Bandon v Cork C of I, 3.30pm, Bandon Grammar; Cork C of I B v Cork Harlequins B, 3pm, Garryduff. Women’s Div 1: Cork C of I v Catholic Institute, Friday, 8pm, Garryduff; Ashton v UCC, 4pm, Ashton School.