Bandon’s women can all but ensure they will avoid any Munster Division 1 relegation trouble later this season with victory over UL in west Cork tomorrow.
Ger Burns’ charges scored a fine 2-0 win over Fermoy last week, following up on a scoreless draw with a fancied Cork C of I side. Should they continue that fine home form against the Limerick students, they can begin to reach for greater heights.
Limerick, 3-2 winners over UL last week to boost their own chances of staying out of the drop zone, are unlikely to have similar luck this week as they visit a rampant Cork Harlequins.
Buoyed buy their from-behind extra-time victory at Belfast Harlequins last week, the champions have looked imperious in Munster and should continue their 100% record.
Catholic Institute’s trip to Garryduff to face Cork C of I has banana skin written all over it but Ger O’Carroll’s side will be favourites nonetheless.
They routed Ashton 6-0 in Limerick on Thursday night, Orla Curtin and Michelle Barrett with two each as the goals get spread around the team in the absence of the retired Eimear Cregan.
C of I started the season well but have dropped back somewhat since, failing to win in Bandon before losing to Quins.
UCC shouldn’t have much difficulty eking out three points at Fermoy, who are without a point this season and have yet to score, although playing last year’s top four among their opening five games hasn’t helped in that regard.
In the men’s league, Cork Harlequins bid to arrest an alarming decline at home to UCC while the students will be sniffing blood.
Quins’ first and second teams have both suffered big losses in recent weeks that would have been unthinkable just a year ago; similarly, College choked badly in relinquishing their intervarsities crown but a fine defensive performance in a 3-0 defeat to Monkstown will inspire some confidence in a side that nabbed a 3-3 draw in this fixture last term.
C of I host an ever-improving Bandon, whose tails are up after beating Quins for the first time in Munster league history 10 days ago. The hosts will have to keep tabs on Ali and David Smith but should have enough overall quality – plus the sharpest short corner unit in the province – to claim three points without too much fuss.
Nationally, Limerick begin their Irish Hockey Challenge campaign at home to Portrane with the strongest side they’ve had at their disposal in a couple of seasons.
A couple of returnees – such as Roger Clarke after his time with Trinity – allied to the captures of goalscorring threats Philip Brennan (UCC) and Cathal Duggan (Institute) bode well for the Treaty men, while Munster underage stars Jonny Powell, Nathan Eacrett and David Cardy have formed an excellent understanding in attack too. Keeping it tight at the back will be their biggest priority.
Dungarvan and Clonmel go toe to toe in the women’s competition on the grit in west Waterford, both likely cursing being drawn against Munster opponents.
They also met in the 2011 quarter-finals, with Clonmel coming out on top; Aoife McGovern is the star turn for the hosts while Dawn Grace and Jacqui Stokes are both big goal threats for the Tipperary outfit.
Finally, Cork C of I will remember a fallen hero as the third Andrew Chambers Memorial Match gets underway at Garryduff at 5pm tomorrow.
The former C of I player/coach died tragically in 2010 when he collapsed suddenly on the Garryduff pitch prior to an Irish Senior Cup clash with Kilkeel, and could not be revived.
A cake sale will be held beforehand, with all proceeds going to the Irish Heart Foundation.
Men’s Div 1: Cork Harlequins, v UCC, Farmer’s Cross, 2.30pm; Cork C of I v Bandon, Garryduff, 3pm.
Irish Hockey Challenge, Rd 1: Naas v Wicklow, Naas, 11.45am; Galway v Bray, Dangan, 12.30pm; Ballynahinch v Armagh, Ballynahinch, 1pm; St James Gate v Ballymena, Iveagh Grounds, 1pm; Limerick v Portrane, Villiers, 2pm.
Andrew Chambers Memorial Match: Garryduff, 5pm.
Women’s Div 1: Bandon v UL, Bandon Grammar, TBC; Fermoy v UCC, Loreto Fermoy, 12pm; Cork Harlequins v Limerick, Farmer’s Cross, 12.45pm; Cork C of I v Catholic Institute, Garryduff, 1pm.
Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Challenge, Rd 1: Dungarvan v Clonmel, The Friary, 1pm; South Antrim v Raphoe, Friends School Lisburn, 2.30pm. Sunday: Portlaoise v Gorey, Kilkenny College, 12pm.
Catholic Institute’s trip to Garryduff to face Cork C of I has banana skin written all over it but Ger O’Carroll’s side will be favourites nonetheless.
They routed Ashton 6-0 in Limerick on Thursday night, Orla Curtin and Michelle Barrett with two each as the goals get spread around the team in the absence of the retired Eimear Cregan.
C of I started the season well but have dropped back somewhat since, failing to win in Bandon before losing to Quins.
UCC shouldn’t have much difficulty eking out three points at Fermoy, who are without a point this season and have yet to score, although playing last year’s top four among their opening five games hasn’t helped in that regard.
In the men’s league, Cork Harlequins bid to arrest an alarming decline at home to UCC while the students will be sniffing blood.
Quins’ first and second teams have both suffered big losses in recent weeks that would have been unthinkable just a year ago; similarly, College choked badly in relinquishing their intervarsities crown but a fine defensive performance in a 3-0 defeat to Monkstown will inspire some confidence in a side that nabbed a 3-3 draw in this fixture last term.
C of I host an ever-improving Bandon, whose tails are up after beating Quins for the first time in Munster league history 10 days ago. The hosts will have to keep tabs on Ali and David Smith but should have enough overall quality – plus the sharpest short corner unit in the province – to claim three points without too much fuss.
Nationally, Limerick begin their Irish Hockey Challenge campaign at home to Portrane with the strongest side they’ve had at their disposal in a couple of seasons.
A couple of returnees – such as Roger Clarke after his time with Trinity – allied to the captures of goalscorring threats Philip Brennan (UCC) and Cathal Duggan (Institute) bode well for the Treaty men, while Munster underage stars Jonny Powell, Nathan Eacrett and David Cardy have formed an excellent understanding in attack too. Keeping it tight at the back will be their biggest priority.
Dungarvan and Clonmel go toe to toe in the women’s competition on the grit in west Waterford, both likely cursing being drawn against Munster opponents.
They also met in the 2011 quarter-finals, with Clonmel coming out on top; Aoife McGovern is the star turn for the hosts while Dawn Grace and Jacqui Stokes are both big goal threats for the Tipperary outfit.
Finally, Cork C of I will remember a fallen hero as the third Andrew Chambers Memorial Match gets underway at Garryduff at 5pm tomorrow.
The former C of I player/coach died tragically in 2010 when he collapsed suddenly on the Garryduff pitch prior to an Irish Senior Cup clash with Kilkeel, and could not be revived.
A cake sale will be held beforehand, with all proceeds going to the Irish Heart Foundation.
Men’s Div 1: Cork Harlequins, v UCC, Farmer’s Cross, 2.30pm; Cork C of I v Bandon, Garryduff, 3pm.
Irish Hockey Challenge, Rd 1: Naas v Wicklow, Naas, 11.45am; Galway v Bray, Dangan, 12.30pm; Ballynahinch v Armagh, Ballynahinch, 1pm; St James Gate v Ballymena, Iveagh Grounds, 1pm; Limerick v Portrane, Villiers, 2pm.
Andrew Chambers Memorial Match: Garryduff, 5pm.
Women’s Div 1: Bandon v UL, Bandon Grammar, TBC; Fermoy v UCC, Loreto Fermoy, 12pm; Cork Harlequins v Limerick, Farmer’s Cross, 12.45pm; Cork C of I v Catholic Institute, Garryduff, 1pm.
Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Challenge, Rd 1: Dungarvan v Clonmel, The Friary, 1pm; South Antrim v Raphoe, Friends School Lisburn, 2.30pm. Sunday: Portlaoise v Gorey, Kilkenny College, 12pm.