What should prove to be an intriguing Leinster Senior A season gets under way tomorrow afternoon with six of the division's 10 clubs in action. One of the four clubs that don't play until next week, defending champions Hermes, believe, with some justification, that their hopes of retaining their title have been dealt a blow by the Leinster Council before the season has even started.
With the Olympic Qualifier scheduled for Milton Keynes in March none of the Irish panel will be allowed play for their clubs after Christmas, except in Irish Senior Cup matches. Clubs such as Pegasus, Harlequins and Hermes, who between them provided 12 Irish panellists last season, would therefore be without their most influential players from January. In a move designed to ensure that such clubs would not have their title prospects hampered both Munster and Ulster agreed to split their seasons in two, with the teams topping the league tables at Christmas and in April playing off for the title and a place in the All-Ireland League finals. Leinster, though, after much debate, decided to leave their season unchanged so, from January, Hermes are likely to be without Mary Logue, Jenny Burke, Daphne Sixsmith, Caitriona Carey, Tara Browne and Sarah Hilliard. No other Leinster club will be similarly effected, although Trinity will be without Linda Caulfield and Loreto will lose Caitriona O'Kelly. Leinster's decision effectively makes Hermes a victim of their own success over the past three seasons. Although they have a strong second team they may find it difficult to ward off the challenge of Loreto and Old Alexandra in the second half of the season.
Loreto have acquired the services of Irish under-18 forward Nikki Symmons but have lost Orla Howe. Fiona Manning takes over as Hermes coach this season and she will be assisted by `trainer' Eric Gierts, the former Belgian international who is playing with YMCA this season. Railway Union, who open their campaign against Muckross tomorrow, have lost Irish under-21 Ciara O'Brien to newly promoted UCD.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Senior A: Railway Union v Muckross, Park Ave (2.00); Old Alexandra v Pembroke Wanderers, Milltown (1.30); Glenanne v Genesis, St Marks (12.30).
MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - Bandon v Belvedere, Bandon, (1.30); Church of Ireland II v Harlequins, Garryduff, (12.00).
ULSTER LEAGUE - Section Two: Owls v Banbridge, Paisley Park, (2.30); Civil Service v Saintfield, Stormont, (1.00); Enniskillen v Priorians, Irvinestown, (2.30); Larne v North Down, Jordanstown, (2.30).
