WOMEN'S HOCKEY/Preview: While Ballymoney, Cork Harlequins and Hermes have all tasted Sharwood's Irish Senior Cup success in the past three years, the last time Loreto, who complete the line-up for tomorrow's semi-finals, were triumphant in the competition Seán Lemass was Taoiseach, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was unleashed on an unsuspecting public and a promising young boxer by the name of Cassius Clay won gold at the Rome Olympic Games. The year? 1960.
If the current crop of Loreto players is to move one step closer to bridging that 42-year gap, they will have to overcome the considerable challenge of Munster champions Harlequins at Beaufort tomorrow. The teams last met in the 2000 league finals when Loreto won 2-1, but Karen O'Brien insists Harlequins will provide their Leinster opponents with a tougher game this time around.
"That match came only a week after we'd won the Irish Cup so we weren't up to scratch that day, we still had her heads in the clouds - it will be a different game on Saturday," she said. "We were delighted to beat Alexandra in the quarter-finals, especially having lost twice to them in the league play-offs last year, so we've plenty of confidence at the moment. We know exactly what it's like to win the cup so I'd give anything to feel that again, it was amazing."
O'Brien has had a superb season for Harlequins, but much as she would love to return to the international fold she doubts whether work commitments will allow her.
"I'd give anything to go back, I really, really miss it, but now that they've qualified for the World Cup the commitment is even more intense. The players will probably have to go full-time come August, and it's hard to ask for that kind of time from your employer, even if it's unpaid leave.
"I haven't totally ruled it out, because in my heart I would love to go back, I feel like there's more in me, but at the same time circumstances probably won't allow me."
IRISH SENIOR CUP - Semi-finals: Ballymoney v Hermes, Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30; Loreto v Cork Harlequins, Beaufort, 12.45
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Tomorrow - Division One: Railway Union v Old Alexandra, Sandymount, 11.0; UCD v Corinthian, Belfield, 1.0. Division Two: Three Rock v Aer Lingus, Grange Road, 1.15; Old Alexandra II v Pembroke Wanderers II, Ballsbridge, 1.15; Clontarf v Muckross, Dardistown, 2.0; Loreto II v Our Lady's, Beaufort, 2.30. Sunday - Division Two: Clontarf v Loreto II, Dardistown, 1.15; Avoca v Three Rock, St Andrew's, 1.30.
ULSTER LEAGUE - Senior One: Ballymena v Pegasus, Ballymena, 2.30; Ards v Portadown, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30; Belfast Harlequins v North Down, Deramore, 2.30; Randalstown v Knock, Antrim Forum, 2.30.
