Munster trio seek capital gains

Each of Munster’s three representatives in the women’s Irish Hockey League will be seeking capital gains this weekend as all face tricky trips to Dublin for the second round of the competition — where they will renew acquaintances with former team-mates. Cork Harlequins’ visit Railway Union is the most enticing tie on paper, with both sides sitting atop Pool A having picked up bonus points in their opening-day wins over Cork C of I and Ards. Quins’ vastly-experienced spine of Cliodhna Sargent, Rachael Kohler and Karen Bateman are tasked with quelling the influence of the Leinster league leaders, who once again have been propelled by Jean McDonnell, Emma Smyth and Isobel Joyce. Railway’s Cork camogie star Emer Dillon should be in for an interesting evening too, as she attempts to out one over her old club.

The other marquee tie in the pool sees C of I visit Pembroke Wanderers, with both sides struggling for different reasons. The hosts’ league form has been indifferent, while C of I haven’t seen any pitch time whatsoever in the past month. Pembroke coach Natalie Fulton nonetheless insists her side “will come out fighting and are ready for the challenge”, none more so than Karen Hales, whose sister Jenifer will be captaining C of I. The final game in the pool is an all-Ulster affair between Ballymoney and Ards. The visit of UCC to Belfield to take on Hermes is the highlight of Pool B, especially so given the number of alumni of the Cork college lining out for the Dubliners. Their most recent recruit, Áine Connery, faces her old team-mates for the first time since her October move, and her battle on the left with former College co-captain Ali O’Connor should be worth the admission fee alone. College’s season has nose-dived somewhat since their hammering of Randalstown that has them sitting atop the pool, with Ulster Elks and Ards dumping them out of the intervarsities and Irish Senior Cup respectively. But their hopes of getting a positive result here have been buoyed by the news that Ireland U18 starlets Chloe Watkins and Gillian Pinder will miss out for Hermes — who have endured a stuttering start to their season — while the vastly experienced Linda Caulfield’s participation is also in doubt. IHL holders Loreto’s trip to Belfast powerhouses Pegasus is the other highlight of the pool, while Old Alex will be looking to inflict further misery on Randalstown when they visit the Antrim Forum. The primary focus for the remainder of Munster’s Division One sides is the Irish Trophy. UCC and Galway must hit the road to lock horns with Belfast Harlequins and Weston in the men’s competition, with Catholic Institute hosting Newry.

The Limerick outfit’s women are also at home, to Skerries, as are Bandon, who welcome North Down, while Waterford are Belfast-bound to take on Queens University. Ashton are already through after being given a walkover by Priorians. Domestically, just two top-flight ties go ahead this weekend, though both may be in doubt due to the weather. Should Garryduff survive the recent deluge, C of I B will see tonight’s battle with Quins B as a vital one as they bid to kick-start their season. With Bandon impassable on either the Cork or Clonakilty side last night, it remains to be seen whether Quins will be able to get to Bandon Grammar on Saturday morning, or whether the pitch has survived the horrific weather. Should the game go ahead, the visitors will be red-hot favourites, having disposed to the west Cork side 5-0 twice thus far this season. Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy Rd 2: Queens University vs Portadown (Queens, 2.30pm); Suttonians vs Down (Sutton Park, 1pm); Belfast Harlequins vs UCC (Deramore Park, 1pm); Antrim vs Trinity (Antrim Forum, 1pm); Catholic Institute vs Newry (Rosbrien, 2pm); NICS vs Avoca (Stormont, 2.30pm); Navan vs Cliftonville (Kings Hospital, 12.30pm); Weston vs Galway (Griffeen Valley Park, 2.30pm). Munster Div 1: Cork C of I B vs Cork Harlequins B (Tonight, Garryduff, 8pm); Bandon vs Cork Harlequins (Bandon GS, 11.30am). Women’s Irish Hockey League Rd 2 Pool A: Railway Union vs Cork Harlequins (Park Avenue, 4pm); Pembroke Wanderers vs Cork Church of Ireland (Serpentine Avenue, 5pm); Ards vs Ballymoney (Ards Leisure Centre, 6pm); Pool B: Pegasus vs Ballymoney (Queens Playing Fields, 5.30pm); Randalstown vs Ola Alexandra (Antrim Forum, 2.30pm); Sunday: Hermes vs UCC (Belfield, 2pm). ESB Irish Hockey Trophy Rd 2: Knock vs Naas (St Colman’s School, 1pm); Dromore vs North Kildare (Ferris Park, 2.30pm); Diocesan vs Muckross (High School, 1pm); Queens vs Waterford (Queens, 1pm); Wexford vs Ballymena (Enniscorthy, 2pm); Three Rock Ladies vs Yeats County (Grange Road, 1pm); Omagh vs NICS (Youth Sport Omagh, 2.30pm); Galway vs Cookstown (Dangan, 12pm); Fingal vs Greenisland (ALSAA, 2.15pm); Bandon vs North Down (Bandon GS, 1.30pm); Suttonians vs Portadown (Sutton Park, 3.30pm); Greenfields vs Our Ladys Terenure (Mervue, 1.15pm); Catholic Institute vs Skerries (Rosbrien, 12.30pm); Ashton w/o Priorians scr; Clontarf vs Parkview (Mt Temple, 2.30pm); Banbridge vs Carrickfergus (Havelock Park, 2.30pm).