Bandon’s recent revival will get its biggest test yet as Cork Harlequins come calling to west Cork tomorrow.
Under former international Ger Burns, Bandon have made huge progress this term, aided by the return of Ireland U21 hitwoman Olivia Roycroft, goalkeeper Emma White and defender Kate Murphy from UCC.
Young guns such as Saoirse O’Leary, Ingrid Burns and Jenny Buttimer – all 16 or under – have also impressed as they have hit six goals past both Fermoy and Ashton this term.
But Quins represent a huge step up; they won the sides’ first encounter 9-0 and are smarting from a rough few weeks that saw them knocked out of the Irish Senior Cup and held to a 1-1 draw by UCC last weekend.
Elsewhere, Fermoy’s date with Limerick is one that both sides will be targeting for much-needed points. John Meyler’s side have had a better season to date, picking up a win over UL and keeping the score down in clashes with leaders UCC and Quins.
Fermoy, ravaged by the regular unavailability of up to a dozen of last year’s squad, are without a point and have just one goal to their name but could be boosted by the return of midfielder Maeve Murphy from travelling and in-form goalkeeper Ondine Roche should a persistent ankle injury subside in time.
Cork Church of Ireland host UCC and will be hoping to get a few frustrating weeks out of their system. Having started the campaign well, they have stumbled with draws away to Bandon and Ashton but College are unlikely to yield too much, having beaten the Garryduff girls 5-0 a few weeks ago.
Ashton, who like Fermoy have had to hand first-team debuts to Junior Cert students this year when more experienced players have been unavailable, have the unenviable task of taking on Catholic Institute, who will be straining at the leash having been idle since November 18.
The men’s clash between Cork Harlequins and Cork C of I has lost much of its lustre in the past 12 months having become one-sided in favour of the Garryduff men, but Quins will nonetheless be keen to put up a fight on home turf tomorrow.
They are, at least, well tuned from two tough clashes with UCC in recent weeks – producing a league draw at the Mardyke and a Peard Cup semi-final defeat at home – while Paul Lombard is still having a big say on matters from midfield.
C of I will have gone back to the drawing board after their 4-1 Irish Senior Cup loss to Banbridge but will look to repeat the quick passing game that saw them engulf Quins in the second half of the return fixture, winning 6-1 that day.
Bandon will hope to lift their performance a few notches against Cork C of I B, having got out of jail against second-tier side Catholic Institute in the Irish Trophy. They won 4-2 earlier in the campaign and will hope Colin Kingston and Julius Haendel can continue the good form that earned them Irish U18 trials.
Men
Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I, Farmers Cross, 2.30pm; Cork C of I B v Bandon, Garryduff, 4pm.
Women
Munster Div 1: Fermoy v Limerick, Loreto Fermoy, 3pm; Bandon v Cork Harlequins, Bandon Grammar, 1pm; Ashton v Catholic Institute, Ashton School, 1pm; Cork C of I v UCC, Garryduff, 1pm.
Elsewhere, Fermoy’s date with Limerick is one that both sides will be targeting for much-needed points. John Meyler’s side have had a better season to date, picking up a win over UL and keeping the score down in clashes with leaders UCC and Quins.
Fermoy, ravaged by the regular unavailability of up to a dozen of last year’s squad, are without a point and have just one goal to their name but could be boosted by the return of midfielder Maeve Murphy from travelling and in-form goalkeeper Ondine Roche should a persistent ankle injury subside in time.
Cork Church of Ireland host UCC and will be hoping to get a few frustrating weeks out of their system. Having started the campaign well, they have stumbled with draws away to Bandon and Ashton but College are unlikely to yield too much, having beaten the Garryduff girls 5-0 a few weeks ago.
Ashton, who like Fermoy have had to hand first-team debuts to Junior Cert students this year when more experienced players have been unavailable, have the unenviable task of taking on Catholic Institute, who will be straining at the leash having been idle since November 18.
The men’s clash between Cork Harlequins and Cork C of I has lost much of its lustre in the past 12 months having become one-sided in favour of the Garryduff men, but Quins will nonetheless be keen to put up a fight on home turf tomorrow.
They are, at least, well tuned from two tough clashes with UCC in recent weeks – producing a league draw at the Mardyke and a Peard Cup semi-final defeat at home – while Paul Lombard is still having a big say on matters from midfield.
C of I will have gone back to the drawing board after their 4-1 Irish Senior Cup loss to Banbridge but will look to repeat the quick passing game that saw them engulf Quins in the second half of the return fixture, winning 6-1 that day.
Bandon will hope to lift their performance a few notches against Cork C of I B, having got out of jail against second-tier side Catholic Institute in the Irish Trophy. They won 4-2 earlier in the campaign and will hope Colin Kingston and Julius Haendel can continue the good form that earned them Irish U18 trials.
Men
Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I, Farmers Cross, 2.30pm; Cork C of I B v Bandon, Garryduff, 4pm.
Women
Munster Div 1: Fermoy v Limerick, Loreto Fermoy, 3pm; Bandon v Cork Harlequins, Bandon Grammar, 1pm; Ashton v Catholic Institute, Ashton School, 1pm; Cork C of I v UCC, Garryduff, 1pm.