Cork Harlequins will be hoping to continue their hoodoo over Ulster sides as they continue their Irish Senior Cup defence at home to Cookstown tomorrow (3pm).
The Farmer’s Cross men dispatched Banbridge, Annadale and Instonians en route to their fairytale victory last season. Cookstown will have no fears of Harlequin park having won here comfortably in the Irish Hockey League last year, but their University of Ulster contingent won’t exactly be relishing another trip to Cork just four days after an energy-sapping intervarsities campaign on Leeside.
The potential hangover from that tournament could also affect UCC, who will hope to turn it into a positive keep the good vibes going from their Mauritius Cup final victory over UU on Tuesday. They have a very tough ask away to a YMCA side who have Irish international Jonny Bruton and Polish man mountain Krystian Makowski in fine fettle.
Post-varsity motivation is an altogether different matter for UCD. They will be fuming at being surprisingly dumped out by DIT; that the latter had a large Monkstown contingent in their ranks tees up a tie full of intrigue when the ‘Town visit Belfield tomorrow.
The tie of the round pitches Lisnagarvey at home to Pembroke Wanderers. Both sides have their tails up, ‘Garvey having ensured EuroHockey League progression while Pembroke have returned to the top of the pile in Leinster.
The first round of the women’s tournament rakes place with plenty of famous clubs lining up to dethrone champions UCD, who have a bye to round two.
Last year’s beaten finalists Loreto have set the pace in Leinster thus far and should have the edge going into their home tie against Queens University, a repeat of last year’s semi-final which the Beaufort girls won 4-1.
An Irish international-laden Hermes side will also be keen to challenge and also begin their campaign at home to Ulster opposition in Randalstown.
Railway Union are the competition’s other big name in action here and will hoping to be improve on their last visit to Cork Harlequins, where they drew 0-0 in the IHL.
Quins’ biggest problem will be the pitch they’re at; they haven’t been tested yet in Munster this season but Cliodhna Sargent and Yvonne O’Byrne should be at a decent pitch having led CIT to a varsity plate in midweek.
Domestically, there’s derbies of various hues in Munster’s women’s league dominating the agenda.
Champions Catholic Institute meet Limerick in the Treaty city derby at Villiers, while the intervarsity theme continues for UCC and UL as they lock horns in Limerick.
Both the visiting teams will be expected to come away with the points, while struggling Bandon could bear the brunt of a backlash from Ashton, who were mugged late on by Institute last time out despite a performance that deserved a positive result.
The men’s Peard Cup also gets underway, with Bandon likely to be fearing a trip to play Cork C of I firsts having gone down 3-0 to their seconds last weekend.
Men’s Irish Senior Cup Rd 2: Cork Harlequins v Cookstown, Harlequin Park, 3pm; YMCA v UCC, Milltown, 3pm; Kilkeel v Avoca, McAuley Park, 2.45pm; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke Wanderers, Comber Road, 2.30pm; NICS v Railway Union, Stormont, 2.30pm; Fingal v Banbridge, ALSAA, 2pm; UCD v Monkstown, Belfield, 1pm; Instonians v Three Rock Rovers, Shawsbridge, 1pm.
Men’s Peard Cup Rd 1: Cork C of I v Bandon, Garryduff, 2.30pm.
Women’s Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup Rd 1: Hermes v Randalstown, St Andrew’s, 3.15pm; Victorians v Ards, Victorians, 3pm; Loreto v Queen’s University, Beaufort, 3pm; Greenfields v Corinthians, Dangan, 2.30pm; Ulster Elks v Glenanne, UUJ, 2.30pm; Armagh v Lurgan, Ardmore, 2.30pm; Old Alex v Portadown, Milltown, 1pm; Cork Harlequins v Railway Union, Farmer’s Cross, 1pm.
Women’s Munster Div 1: Ashton v Bandon, Ashton School, TBC; UL v UCC, 1pm; Limerick v Catholic Institute, Villiers, 1.45pm.
Hi Alan, can I on behalf of myself and Greg convey our sincere and heartfelt thanks to many Cork Harlequin people – but in particular to Wes Bateman and Sarah Jones who looked after Greg pitchside until the paramedics arrived. Also, as always to Johnny Hobbs, who really looked after us..Johnny is a true friend. As much as I love this game, a hockey result doesn’t matter at all when you see your son in distress on a pitch. But, as usual, the unique hockey family that we are all part of on this island, came together to look after a few of their own. Greg stayed overnite in hospital -he still cant eat solids and the headaches are still there -no hockey for 3 weeks – – he’s already working out what opponents he will miss out on!! Again, many thanks to the good people of Cork Harlequins. Les Allen