Busy schedule after postponements

HOCKEY: AFTER ALL the recent weather interruptions there’s a jammed schedule of league and cup matches in all the provinces …

HOCKEY:AFTER ALL the recent weather interruptions there's a jammed schedule of league and cup matches in all the provinces this weekend, with the first round of the Irish Junior Cup also due to be played.

Leinster League leaders Hermes face a testing game away to fourth-placed Old Alexandra, while Loreto, who had both their matches postponed last weekend, get back in to action with a home tie against Glenanne.

UCD will hope to keep pace with the top two by taking the points from their meeting with Trinity at Belfield, while Bray host Railway Union, the team a place above them but six points clear. Pembroke Wanderers, meanwhile, play bottom club Corinthian at Serpentine Avenue.

A frozen pitch forced the postponement of last weekend’s game between the top two in Munster, Catholic Institute and UCC, but both teams will – weather permitting – resume their campaigns with ties against Ashton and Church of Ireland, respectively. Cork Harlequins, eight points behind the leaders, are away to Belvedere who have yet to win a point this season.

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WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday – Leinster League, Division One: Bray v Railway Union, Loreto Bray, 1.0; UCD v Trinity, Belfield, 1.0; Old Alexandra v Hermes, Milltown, 3.0; Loreto v Glenanne, Beaufort, 3.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Corinthian, Serpentine Ave, 3.30. Irish Junior Cup, first round: Queens v Portadown, Queens, 1.0; Railway Union v Ulster Elks, Park Avenue, 1.0; Lurgan v Armagh, Lurgan High School, 2.30; UCD v Catholic Institute, Belfield, 4.15; Belfast Harlequins v Greenisland, Deramore Park, 4.0; Old Alexandra v Church of Ireland, Milltown, 1.15; Bandon v Loreto, Bandon School, 12.30; Pegasus v Victorians, Queens, 4.0; Dromore v Corinthian, Ferris Park, 1.0; Randalstown v Pembroke Wanderers, Antrim Forum, 1.0; Lisnagarvey v Glenanne, Hillsborough, 2.30; Hermes v Cork Harlequins, St Andrews, 1.15; Ashton v Galway, Ashton 2.0; UCC v Genesis, The Mardyke, 3.0.

Sunday – Leinster Jacqui Potter Cup: Trinity v Our Lady’s, Santry, 1.0; North Kildare v Old Alexandra, Kilcock, 1.30; Loreto v Bray, Beaufort, 2.15; Railway Union II v Pembroke, Park Ave, 2.30; Glenanne v Pembroke II, Glenanne Park, 2.30; Muckross v UCD, Teresians, 4.0; Old Alexandra II v Genesis, Milltown. 1.0.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times