HOCKEY: Reigning champions Pegasus are through to the finals of the all-Ireland Club Championship without even having to take to the field following the withdrawal of UCC from the second leg of their quarter-final against the Belfast club.
It is the second year running Pegasus have been granted a walkover into the finals, and while it was almost inevitable that UCC, league runners-up in Munster this season, would pull out after losing the first leg in Cork 11-0, their decision is a rather gloomy reflection of the lack of strength-in-depth in Irish club hockey.
Pegasus compensated for their lack of action by agreeing to play Ards in a friendly to assist their fellow northerners' preparations for their second leg against Hermes at Belfield tomorrow.
Ards were surprise, 3-1 winners over Hermes last weekend, but the Leinster champions hope to be near full strength tomorrow, with Fiona Connery and EJ Walsh available again and the injured trio of Deirdre McDermott, Jenny Burke and Carol Devine rated as possible starters.
Loreto, too, have it all to do against Ballymoney at Beaufort after losing their first leg 1-0. With away goals counting "double" if the scores are level, Loreto will know a Ballymoney goal tomorrow would leave them with a task of the uphill variety.
Pembroke Wanderers will again be without the influential Claire Deacy for their return leg against Harlequins in Cork (the first leg finished scoreless).
Should any of the quarter-finals finish level (including on away goals) after extra-time, penalty strokes will determine who goes through to the finals.
ALL-IRELAND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - Quarter-finals, second legs (first leg scores in brackets): Cork Harlequins (0) v Pembroke Wanderers (0), Farmer's Cross, 1.0; Hermes (1) v Ards (3), Belfield, 3.0; Loreto (0) v Ballymoney (1), Beaufort, 1.0. Pegasus (11) v UCC (0) - UCC have withdrawn.
