HOCKEY:A YEAR after losing their senior interprovincial title to Ulster at Grange Road by a single score on goal difference, Leinster will hope to make better use of home advantage this time around when they stage the tournament at Serpentine Avenue over the weekend.

Victor Shaw’s side, co-captained by Railway Union’s Sinead Dooley and Glenanne’s Audrey McCormack, begin their campaign against Connacht this afternoon, before Ulster, coached by Stephen Watt, open the defence of their title against Munster.

Work commitments may rule Ulster’s Suzanne Beaney out of the opening game, but the scorer of that decisive goal in last year’s draw with Leinster, who has topped the 50 mark in a season that saw Pegasus win the Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League, is expected to be available against Connacht and Leinster.

Munster’s squad features seven of the Catholic Institute players who helped the club win its first league title since 1993, while Connacht, coached by Bryan Madden, are captained by Brenda Flannery, who had an impressive debut season with UCD.

SENIOR INTERPROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT(at Serpentine Avenue)

Today: Leinster v Connacht, 4.0; Munster v Ulster, 6.0.

Tomorrow: Connacht v Ulster, 1.0; Leinster v Munster, 3.0.

Sunday: Connacht v Munster, 12.0; Leinster v Ulster, 2.0.

JUNIOR INTERPROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT(at Grange Road)

Tomorrow: Leinster v Connacht, 9.30; Ulster v Munster, 11.15; South East v Connacht, 1.0; Leinster v Munster, 2.45; Ulster v South East, 4.30.

Sunday: Munster v Connacht, 9.30; Leinster v South East, 10.0; Connacht v Ulster, 12.0; South East v Munster, 1.0; Leinster v Ulster, 3.0.