WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Just 10 days to go now before Ireland open the World Cup against England in Perth, and so far preparations are going smoothly, with yesterday's 10-0 win over local side South West Academy giving the forwards a profitable, if none-too-testing, run-out under the Bunbury sun, with temperatures peaking at 31 degrees.
Top scorer in the game was Jenny Burke, who helped herself to a hat-trick, but it was a dazzling display by Eimear Cregan, in for the injured Claire McMahon (hamstring) on the right wing, that caught the eye of coach Riet Kuper.
Cregan, one of three 20-year-olds in the squad, has, until now, been used largely as a substitute by Kuper, but such has been her form in the build-up to the World Cup she is making selection for that right wing slot less of a formality than it used to be.
The Castletroy native, who has also represented Limerick and Munster in camogie, golf and gymnastics, made her senior debut in August 2001, but yesterday produced what manager Denise McCarthy described as "her finest performance in an Irish shirt".
Laura Lee (two), Arlene Boyles, Jill Orbinson and Lynsey McVicker completed the day's scoring in a game that centre-back Daphne Sixsmith sat out with a wrist injury.
The squad returns to training today before taking on Canada and Germany in unofficial internationals in Bunbury, tomorrow and Sunday, respectively.
At home, the Sharwood's Irish Senior Cup gets under way tomorrow with seven first round ties. Trinity, fresh from their impressive displays at the intervarsities last week (where goalkeeper Barbara Sheehy-Skeffington was outstanding), take on Glenanne in the round's only all-Leinster affair.
Coleraine player-coach Caryn Bentley misses her side's tie against Belfast Harlequins with a broken thumb, sustained a fortnight ago against Randalstown.
Ballymena, Genesis, Knock, Old Alexandra, Portadown, Randalstown, UCD, Victorians and Waterford will join the first round victors in the draw for the second round.
The seeded clubs, Hermes, Loreto, Pembroke Wanderers, Pegasus, Ballymoney, Ards, Cork Harlequins and UCC, enter the competition at the third round stage.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
IRISH SENIOR CUP - First round: Bandon v Ballyclare, Bandon Grammar School, 2.0; NUIG v Railway Union, Mervue, 1.30; Trinity v Glenanne, Santry, 1 .0; Belvedere v Galway, Ballincollig, 2.0; Coleraine v Belfast Harlequins, Coleraine, 2.30; Church of Ireland v Greenfields, Garryduff, 1.0; Parkview v Corinthian, Jordanstown, 1.0.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Tomorrow - Division Two: Hermes II v Clontarf, Belfield, 11.0; Genesis II v Old Alexandra II, Rathdown, 12.0; Our Lady's v Pembroke Wanderers II, Terenure, 1.0; Loreto II v Aer Lingus, Beaufort, 2.0. Sunday: Clontarf v Three Rock, Dardistown, 10.15.
MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Harlequins v UCC, Farmers Cross, 11.30.
