HOCKEY WOMEN'S PREVIEW:CLUBS WILL keep a nervous eye on the forecast for this weekend as they attempt to get back in to action following the postponements during the Christmas season.
Usually tomorrow’s games mark the beginning of the second half of the league season but, in Leinster, eight of the Division One teams have to reschedule two postponed games, with Loreto and Railway Union having to squeeze three each in to their already busy programmes.
The bulk of those games are likely to be played midweek or on Sundays, meaning clubs will have to do without their international players – they can only turn out for league games on Saturdays.
For clubs involved in the Irish Hockey League and still in the Irish Senior Cup there is a particularly busy time ahead, with the second round of the Cup scheduled for January 22nd and three rounds of the Irish Hockey League to be played between February 5th and March 19th.
Loreto, a point behind Hermes in the Leinster First Division, but with a game in hand, are due to play twice this weekend, away to bottom club Corinthian tomorrow and at home to fourth-placed Old Alexandra on Sunday. Two wins out of two and they will take over at the top of the table.
Hermes, meanwhile, are at home to Pembroke, while UCD, four points adrift, will need to beat Bray if they are to keep in touch with the top two. Before their meeting with Loreto on Sunday Old Alexandra are at home to Glenanne, while Railway Union host Trinity at Park Avenue.
In Munster there’s a crunch Division One fixture, with leaders Catholic Institute at home to second-placed UCC, both teams are unbeaten thus far. Cork Harlequins, who aren’t playing this weekend, are eight points behind the leaders, but also have a game in hand.
Tomorrow– Leinster League, Division One: Bray v UCD, Loreto Bray, 1.00; Hermes v Pembroke Wanderers, St Andrews, noon; Corinthian v Loreto, Whitechurch, 3.45; Old Alexandra v Glenanne, Milltown, 1.15; Railway Union v Trinity, Park Avenue, 12.15. Sunday: Loreto v Old Alex, Beaufort, 12.30. Leinster Senior Cup– Jacqui Potter Trophy – Second rd – Sunday: Hermes v Three Rock, St Andrews, 1.30. Munster League– Division One – Tomorrow: Catholic Institute v UCC, Rosbrien, 1.00.
