UCD tests for Munster sides

University College Dublin will get an early indication of where their elite player programme is taking them as they send both their men’s and women’s sides to Munster for Irish Senior Cup clashes. The famed competition, one of the oldest hockey tournaments in the world with the men’s cup being contested for the 117th time this year, is getting underway earlier than usual due to Ireland’s involvement in Olympic qualifiers next spring. And it’s the visit of UCD’s pair to Cork that may provide the most intrgiue. The women’s side have brought in 14 new players this year, including Irish international Anna O’ Flanagan and Republic of Ireland soccer star Dora Gorman, who has also worn green for the Irish U18 hockey side.

The side’s older players will  meet a familiar foe in Cork Harlequins’ Elaine Collins, a former team-mate who recently moved south and notched a vital goal in her side’s 3-2 Munster league win over Ashton last Saturday. Despite playing on home turf at Farmer’s Cross (1.30pm), Quins will start as underdogs. UCD laid down a big statement of intent in defeating Loreto 4-2 last weekend and will welcome back star player Chloe Watkins, one of a number of internationals who comes back into the club fray after a month’s “active rest” following a gruelling summer schedule with Ireland. Meanwhile, UCD’s men will look to Nick Burns and Ben Dobson for some insider information when they travel to play Bandon in west Cork (3pm). The former Cork Church of Ireland and Ireland U18 hitmen have plenty experience of Stephen Jackson’s side – and Jackson himself coached the duo at C of I –  and the tricky sand pitch at Bandon Grammar, and will lead their charge alongside senior international Shane O’Donoghue. Patrick Shanahan, a recent acquisition from Three Rock Rovers, will be visiting his old club, who will be without key men David Smith and Andrew Kingston for this tie as they attend the wedding of David’s brother, C of I defender Philip, in Portugal. UCD, perennial relegation fodder in Leinster, have done well against big guns YMCA and Monkstown but without coming away with any points, while Bandon were unlucky to lose to a Cork Harlequins golden goal in Peard Cup action last time out. The Belfield students will also have bad memories of Bandon’s star forward Alistair Smith; he hit two stunning goals for Cork IT to wrest a thrilling intervarsity semi-final from UCD’s grasp this time last year. Elsewhere, UCC go in search of scalps up north, with the men visiting Lisnagarvey while the women travel to Armagh. Neil Welch’s men’s side have added real quality to their ranks in the form of Adam O’Callaghan and Stuart O’Grady, losing none of their key men in the process, and will take inspiration from having won in Ulster last season against crack Donegal outfit Raphoe. Nonetheless, ‘Garvey are in a rich vein of early-season form, recently dumping Banbridge out of the Kirk Cup, and will be unbackable favourites to advance. UCC’s women had a chastening beginning to their season in losing to Catholic Institute in Limerick but can take heart from how close they ran the Munster champions, with a number of their new girls impressing. They’ll find an Armagh side – backboned by Stewart sisters Emma and Amy, who at different times held the honour of being the youngest ever senior women’s Irish internationals – a tough nut to crack, but will be hoping to advance in a competition they’ve had little luck in during recent seasons. Back home, there’s one women’s Division One game as UL hit the road for the third consecutive weekend, this time to face Cork C of I. Form guides are tricky to ascertain for this one, though the hosts’ greater experience throughout will have them pegged as favourites against the students, who will be keen to pull off another shock on Cork soil. Men’s Irish Senior Cup (1st rd): Pembroke W v Clontarf, Serptentine Ave,  1pm; Instonians v North Down, Shaws Bridge, 1pm; Monkstown v Fingal, Rathdown, 1.30pm; NICS v Corinthian, 2.30pm; Belfast Harlequins v    Kilkeel, Deramore Park, 2.30pm; Lisnagarvey v UCC, Hillsborough, 2.30pm; Annadale v YMCA, Lough Moss, 2.30pm; Railway U v South Antrim, Park Avenue, 2.45pm; Bandon v UCD, Bandon Grammar, 3pm. Byes: Cork Church of Ireland , Cork Harlequins, Banbridge, Cookstown, Mossley, Glenanne, Three Rock Rovers ESB Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Senior Cup (1st rd): Armagh v UCC, Orchard RC, 1pm; Queens v Randalstown, 1pm; Cork Harlequins v UCD,  Harlequins Park, 1.30pm; Lurgan  v Ulster Elks, Lurgan Junior HS, 2.30pm; Lisnagarvey v Loreto, Hillsborough, 2.30pm; Ards v Dublin University, 2.45pm; Three Rock Rovers v Pegasus, Grange Road, 3pm; Pembroke W  v Old Alex, Serpentine Avenue, 3pm. Byes: Ballymoney, Belfast Harlequins, Portadown, Catholic Institute, Corinthian, Glenanne, Hermes, Railway Union. Women’s Div 1: Cork C of I v UL (Garryduff, 1pm).