WOMEN'S HOCKEY:The club season gets under way again tomorrow after the Christmas break, with several clubs having to make do without their leading players who are bound for South Africa today with the Irish squad. Gene Muller's panel will take on their hosts and Canada in six matches over eight days, marking the build-up to this summer's European Championships in Manchester.
Five players - Shirley McKay (Randalstown), Róisín Flinn (UCD), Rachel Mulligan (Armagh), Shauna Frey (Old Alexandra) and Áine Connery (UCC) - will hope to win their first senior caps in South Africa, with Connery aiming to emulate her older sister, Fiona, who already has over 50 caps to her name.
As one of the 12 monthly winners in The Irish Times/VHI Healthcare Sports Women of the Year awards, Fiona will attend today's presentation in Dublin, where the overall winner will be named, before heading for the airport to join the rest of the squad.
Hermes, then, will be without Connery and Irish captain Linda Caulfield when they resume their league campaign away to Clontarf tomorrow, while leaders Loreto, who play Three Rock, are without forward Cathy McKean and goalkeeper Louisa Healy.
Loreto are also in action on Sunday when they play UCD in the second round of the Jacqui Potter Cup.
In Ulster, Pegasus will have a chance to avenge their 4-0 Shield defeat by Randalstown at the start of the season when the sides meet in the league. Randalstown went on to win the Ulster Shield by beating Armagh in the final a fortnight ago.
Tomorrow: Leinster League - Division One:Clontarf v Hermes, Clontarf, 12.30; Railway Union v Corinthian, Sandymount, 2.15; Loreto v Three Rock, Beaufort, 2.15. Munster League - Division One:Catholic Institute v Ashton, Rosbrien 2.0; Belvedere v Bandon, Ballincollig, 12.0.
Sunday: Leinster Jacqui Potter Cup - Second round:Corinthian v Glenanne, Whitechurch, 12.15; Trinity v Pembroke Wanderers II, Santry, 1.0; Loreto II v Clontarf, Beaufort, 2.0; Genesis v Railway Union, Belfield, 2.15; Railway Union II v Old Alexandra II, Sandymount, 3.0; UCD v Loreto, Belfield, 4.15.
