Irish sweeper Arlene Boyles has given senior coach Riet Kuper a boost by confirming this week that she is putting her international retirement plans on hold. The Pegasus stalwart was one of a small group of players known to be contemplating retirement after the team's failure to qualify for the Olympic Games in March.

As yet none has permanently withdrawn from the panel although Caitriona O'Kelly has decided to take a year out from the international set-up. With the next competitive date in Ireland's diary likely to be September 2000's World Cup qualifier in France, the upcoming schedule is light with the panel not due to meet again until early next year.

Boyles' Pegasus will expect to pick up another Ulster league win this weekend when they play Ards at home while their main rivals, Portadown and Belfast Harlequins, meet in what will be a dress rehearsal for their Irish Senior Cup clash next month.

In Leinster, Pembroke Wanderers can go third in the table if they win both their games this weekend - they play Old Alexandra tomorrow and Glenanne on Sunday - while second-placed Loreto can narrow Hermes' lead to just one point if they beat Railway Union at Beaufort.

A week after Munster champions Harlequins beat Church of Ireland in the league, the teams meet again in the Senior Cup at Garryduff.