WOMEN'S HOCKEY IRISH LEAGUE:THE BATTLE for places in the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League steps up a notch this weekend with the penultimate round of matches in the pool phase of the competition. Loreto and Railway Union, in Pool A, and Hermes and Cork Harlequins, in Pool B, are the teams to catch, but three of them are away this weekend, giving the chasing packs some hope of closing the gap.
With 11 points from three games so far, including two bonus points, and 12 goals scored, Loreto are the IHL’s leading performers to date with their young forward Zara Delany the competition’s top scorer (with five goals). If they can maintain that form on their trip to the Antrim Forum, where they play Randalstown, who are bottom of Pool A, they would all but guarantee their semi-final place.
That would leave Railway, who are three points behind Loreto, and Pegasus, a further point adrift, contesting second place in the pool.
Railway, who play Loreto in their final pool game, travel to Garryduff to take on Church of Ireland tomorrow, while Pegasus meet neighbours Belfast Harlequins at Deramore.
Pool B is an even closer affair, with just three points separating leaders and reigning All-Ireland champions Hermes and third-placed Ballymoney. Hermes are at home to their nearest challengers, Cork Harlequins, on Sunday, while Ballymoney host Pembroke Wanderers.
Armagh, without a coach after parting company with Neil Madeley earlier this week, are at home to UCD, the start of a busy weekend for the students who have a league game against Bray on Sunday.
The inaugural IHL finals have been switched from Belfield to Grange Road (May 2nd and 3rd) to accommodate coverage by Setanta Sports, a welcome shot in the arm for Irish hockey.
“One of the key objectives of the IHL is broader exposure to the sport and therefore we are delighted to have secured the televising of the finals’ weekend with Setanta, for both the women and men,” said IHL chairwoman Inez Cooper.
FIXTURES: Irish Hockey League: Pool A: Tomorrow: Church of Ireland v Railway Union, Garryduff, 2.0; Randalstown v Loreto, Antrim Forum, 4.0. Sunday: Belfast Harlequins v Pegasus, Deramore Park, 2.30. Pool B: Ballymoney v Pembroke Wanderers, Joe Dunlop Centre, 1.30; Armagh v UCD, Ardmore Leisure Centre, 2.30. Sunday: Hermes v Cork Harlequins, Belfield, 1.30. Leinster League: Division One: Sunday: UCD v Bray, Belfield, 9.0.
