Repeat doses for Munster sides

A repeat of last year’s final is the early highlight of the women’s Irish Hockey League, although Railway Union’s hosting of Cork Harlequins looks set to end in more disappointment for the Farmer’s Cross outfit. The efforts exerted in the epic semi-final win over Pegasus last term caught up with them in the decider as Railway cruised to a 4-0 win, and the summertime comings and goings at both clubs suggest Mick McKinnon’s sides will be favourites again. Railway have added Irish internationals Julia O’Halloran – formerly of Quins – and Alex Speers to their impressive ranks.

However, Quins have seen an exodus of their top players, mostly to retirement, and will be hard-pressed to take anything from a game against opposition they have never scored against in the IHL. Railway will, however, have to do without Cecilia and Isobel Joyce, who are on Irish international cricket duty in South Africa. UCD look to be Pool B’s dark horses, having seen an influx of top-quality young talent in the form of senior internationals Chloe Watkins, plus two of Connacht’s finest in Brenda Flannery and Jess McMickan. Watkins blasted five in their recent 7-0 defeat of Glenanne, and will be keen to add to that tally as Ballymoney come knocking at Belfield. The northerners have installed Bridget Cleland as player/coach and feature two of Ireland’s U17 Olympians in goalkeeper Jenna Holmes and sharshooter Katie Mullan. The pool’s other clash is an all-Ulster clash between Armagh and Ards, sides who have troubled bigger teams in the past but who do not look capable of challenging for a semi-final spot on paper. Meanwhile, Catholic Institute face a baptism of fire as they make their IHL debut this Sunday in Belfast against Pegasus in Pool A. The Limerick outfit are widely considered to be Munster’s best bet for success in the competition, as they sit atop the provincial league with 30 goals already to their name, and have a side well-stocked with talent. Eimear Cregan has hit 12 goals in four games, and she is ably supported by former international Elaine Bromell, Ireland U18 Naomi Carroll and U17 Olympians Rebecca Barry and Roisin Upton. Despite producing some notable wins on the road en route to winning last season’s Irish Trophy, coaches Ger O’Carroll and Dave Passmore will know that downing Pegasus on their Belfast home turf is a completely different proposition. A couple of years without silverware on the national stage is considered a drought for them, and they have made a statement of intent by signing Armagh’s Steph Quinn and Randalstown’s Vanessa Surgeoner, while Jill Orbinson and Lyndsey Mallon return from maternity. They will strengthen a squad that already boasts current Irish full-back and drag-flicker Michelle Harvey, plus veteran finishers Claire McMahon and Suzanne Beaney. Picking up a bonus point would be a decent result for Institute here. There will be a college reunion of sorts at Belfield on Sunday, as UCC visit pool favourites Hermes. Audrey O’Flynn and Aine Connery wore the skull and crossbones with distinction in recent years but are now regular fixtures for Dubliners.

Connery scored the breakthrough goal in last year’s 2-0 win for Hermes in this fixture, and looked shell-shocked at the time. It could be O’Flynn’s turn to deal with the mixed emotions this weekend, as she drag-flicks against her old team-mates for the first time. An infusion of Munster talent has given Hermes one of the strongest squads in the country. O’Flynn was joined at St Andrew’s by ex-Quins defender Sinead McCarthy and C of I midfielder Sinead Connery, while Clare native Eimear Horan arrived from Ards. College were unlucky to see a few narrow losses undo their hopes in last year’s competition, but the loss of O’Halloran and O’Flynn, plus Emily Kenefick and Karen Olden, has robbed them of guile and experience. New arrivals Aine Curran and Kate Humphreys are still settling in, but Hermes will have to keep Miriam Crowley, Ali O’Regan and Fiona O’Connell in check to make their favourites’ tag count on the scoreboard. In the pool’s other game, Loreto – free-scoring in Leinster this term but currently without talismanic midfielder Nikki Symmons due to Irish cricket commitments – visit Belfast Harlequins, for whom Jenny McAuley (nee McDonough) is still the heartbeat of the side. Claire Coey and Sarah Wilkinson are dangerwomen up front for Quins, but Loreto’s international-laden side, with Cathy McKean in fine form, are tipped to prevail. Irish Hockey League Rd 1 (All games Saturday unless stated) Women’s Pool A: Belfast Harlequins vs Loreto (Deramore Park, 6pm); Hermes vs UCC (Sunday, Belfield, 2pm); Pegasus vs Catholic Institute (Sunday, Queens, 12pm). Women’s Pool B: Armagh vs Ards (Armagh, 2.30pm); Railway Union  vs Cork Harlequins (Park Avenue, 5pm); UCD vs Ballymoney (Belfield, 4pm). Women’s Examiner Cup: Ashton vs Cork C of I (Sunday, Ashton School, 1.30pm);