Quins to face down Loreto

Cork Harlequins must take on the might of a star-studded Loreto side in their quest to become the first winners of the Irish Hockey League. The Munster champions left it late to secure a bonus point against Armagh yesterday, but other results went their way to allow them qualify for the semi-finals at Grange Road. There they will meet a Loreto side who have been irrisistable in this competition, hitting 19 goals in five games and only dropping points for the first time yesterday against Railway Union.

Nonetheless, with Eimear Cregan back in harness and Karen Bateman and Cliodhna Sargent also hitting top form recently, Quins will fancy their chances on final weekend, which takes place from May 2-3. To their immense credit, they have made the last four despite never having a full team out this season. Cregan has missed most of it with a leg injury, Jan Dillon has only just returned and Rachael Kohler, Cliona O’Connor and Jane Chapple are all currently out of action. Hermes will take on Pegasus in the other semi-final as two sides who inevitably shine in knockout competitions reprise their classic Club Championships semi-final clash of last season, which the Dubliners won with a golden goal. In the men’s semi-finals, Banbridge fly the flag for Ulster hockey as they are the only side capable of preventing a Leinster team from taking the trophy. They will meet Glenanne, while Three Rock Rovers and Pembroke Wanderers go head-to-head in the other semi-final in a tie that never fails to capture the imagination, as those who witnessed the ding-dong battles between the sides over the past two seasons. Irish Hockey League finals weekend, Grange Road, May 2-3 Saturday May 2 Women’s semi-finals: Loreto vs Cork Harlequins (10.30am); Hermes vs Pegasus (12.30pm). Men’s semi-finals: Glenanne vs Banbridge (3pm); Three Rock Rovers vs Pembroke Wanderers (5pm) Sunday May 3 Women’s final (1.30pm) Men’s final (4pm)