Ulster open the defence of their under-16 and under-18 interprovincial titles in Cork today with Garryduff and Farmers Cross the two venues for the tournament. The players at both levels have the added incentive of winning a place in the Irish panels ahead of next July's under-16 and under-18 European Nations Cups, should they impress.
The pools for the European tournaments, both of which will be staged in Rotterdam, were announced this week with Ireland drawn with hosts Holland, Spain and France - Germany, England, Belgium and Poland make up the other pool.
On the club front holders Loreto meet Old Alexandra's seconds in the second round of the Coca Cola Leinster Senior Cup in one of four first versus second division ties - Clontarf, second in division two after an impressive start to their league campaign, take on the first division's bottom club Glenanne, Railway Union play Aer Lingus and, on Monday, Loreto's IIs meet UCD.
Hermes, last season's beaten finalists, are away to Trinity and Corinthian play Old Alexandra in the only all-first division ties while the pairings of Avoca and Pembroke Wanderers II and Hermes II and Our Lady's guarantees at least two second division clubs in the last eight.
On Sunday, Genesis will do well to retain their unbeaten league record and keep their fourth successive clean sheet of the season when they take on Hermes at Belfield. Loreto play Corinthian at Beaufort and Trinity meet Railway Union in Santry. In Munster, Bandon, winners of their first ever Irish Senior Cup tie last weekend, play champions Harlequins at home, while the match of the weekend in Ulster is the meeting of Portadown and Pegasus.
