HOCKEY/WOMEN'S INTERPROVINCIALS: Having already taken both places in next month's Irish Senior Cup final and won the under-21 interprovincial tournament, for the first time since 1985, Leinster will look to make it a memorable season for the province at the senior event in Galway this weekend. Ulster, though, have the small matter of a five-in-a-row to complete while hosts Connacht will be determined to build on last year's success when they finished level on points with Leinster in second place.
With Irish coach Riet Kuper expected to add some names to the international panel after the tournament, there is an added incentive for the players on view. For the coaches, too, seeing more of their players make an international breakthrough is one of the goals of the weekend.
"Of course we want to win the tournament and that is definitely the priority for the girls but I would like to see a few more of these players on the international panel," said Leinster coach Rudi Wortmann.
Wortmann has called up three of the successful Leinster under-21 squad - UCD's Catherine Murray and Linda O'Neill and Loreto's Nikki Symmons (Old Alexandra's Leanne Ryan was also in contention but injury ruled her out) - but is without Jenny Burke (injured) and Caitriona Carey (unavailable). Three Pembroke Wanderers players - goalkeeper Mary Goode, a member of the Connacht squad last year, Viv Doran and Clara Hayes - and Anne Marie Cullen (Genesis) have been selected while Trinity's Anya Bowers, formerly of Ulster, is also included.
Ulster, captained this year by Jackie McWilliams, retain the bulk of the squad that triumphed at Grange Road last season but have lost Karen Humphreys (shoulder trouble), Jeanette Turner (hand injury) and Lynsey McVicker (unavailable).
Munster have the most depleted squad, having lost five of their key players. Captain Rachael Kohler, the Hermes trio of Fiona Connery, Johanna Hyland and Aisling Keane and the retired Sarah Kelleher will all be absent this weekend.
Connacht, though, are boosted by the return of Loreto pair Clodagh Grealy and Sarah Scott and will aim to at least match their scoreless draw with Leinster in the opening game of last year's tournament when the two provinces meet today (5.30). Ulster open the defence of their title against Munster this evening (7.30).
CONNACHT: T Browne (Hermes), O McGuinness (UCD), C Deacy (capt), L O'Hagan, S Ryan (all Pembroke Wanderers), O Fitzgibbon, P Ryan, S Walsh (all NUIG), C Grealy, O Ryan, S Scott (all Loreto), E Ryan (Galway), H Hughes (Genesis), M McDonald (Greenfields), O Canavan (Harlequins), A Mitchell (Trinity). Coach: Orla Bell.
LEINSTER: N King, T Conway (capt), A Bowers (all Old Alexandra), M Goode, V Doran, C Hayes (all Pembroke Wanderers), C McKean, C O'Kelly, S Rand, N Symmons (all Loreto), C Murray, C O'Brien, L O'Neill (all UCD), L Caulfield, D Sixsmith (both Hermes), A M Cullen (Genesis). Coach: Rudi Wortmann.
MUNSTER: R Wolfe (Corinthians), C Ronan, E Cregan (both Univ of Limerick), K O'Brien (capt), E Bromell, S Canning, A McCarthy (all Harlequins), A Carey, C Kenefick, J Lawson, L Ryan (all UCC), J Hodgins, E J Walsh (both Hermes), N Lyons, S O'Meara (both Loreto), R Kingston (Bandon). Coach: John McGrath.
ULSTER: A Boyles, P Magill, K Maybin, C McMahon, K Mills, C Redpath (all Pegasus), J Gibson, S Beaney, J McDonagh, L Feeney (all Belfast Harlequins), J Stewart, T Stronge (both Ards), J McWilliams (Ballymena, capt), A Platt (Ballymoney), J Orbinson (Portadown), S Parkhill (Randalstown). Coach: Graham Quincey.
