Women's hockey: The University of Limerick have had to concede defeat in their attempts to overturn the Irish Hockey Association's decision to order a replay of their first-round Irish Senior Cup tie against Cookstown and, reluctantly, have agreed to travel to Dublin for the game, which will be played today at St Kilian's German School in Clonskeagh.
UL had hoped the International Hockey Federation (FIH) would agree to hear an appeal against the decision but were told by Roger Webb, the FIH technical manager, "there is no facility in the FIH statutes and regulations for review of decisions by member associations, unless specified in the association's own regulations".
Cookstown successfully appealed against the result of the game, which UL won on penalty strokes, on the grounds that the umpires erred by not reversing the order in which the strokes were taken after the first series of 10.
UL, then, have conceded they have no alternative but to replay the game but are less than happy about the whole affair.
Their annoyance is heightened by the fact that having already paid approximately 1,500 for transport to and accommodation for the original tie the players have had to pay out again for transport to Dublin - the IHA, however, have offered 250 towards the expenses of UL and Cookstown for the trip.
On a more positive note, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Catherine Byrne, will officially open Pembroke Wanderers' new pitches - an Olympic standard Astroturf water-based pitch and a sand-based mini-pitch to be used for training - at Serpentine Avenue on Sunday.
To mark the occasion, Pembroke women's team will play a Leinster President's selection at 1pm, and the Pembroke men will play an Ireland selection at 4pm.
FIXTURES (all Saturday)
IRISH SENIOR CUP - First round: Cookstown v Univ of Limerick, Clonskeagh, 1.30.
IRISH JUNIOR CUP - Third round: Cork Harlequins v Glenanne, Farmer's Cross, 1.30; Wexford v Banbridge, Loreto Kilkenny, 12.45; Fermoy v Lurgan, Midleton College, 12.30; Hermes II v Old Alexandra II, St Andrew's, 3.0; Pembroke Wanderers II v Larne, Serpentine Avenue, 2.0; Genesis v Loreto II, Belfield, 4.0; Ashton II v Bray, Ashton School, 1.0; Pegasus II v Catholic Institute II, Queens, 1.0.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Trinity v Corinthian, Santry, 12.0; Clontarf v Railway Union, Clontarf, 1.0.
MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Church of Ireland v Ashton, Garryduff, 5.30; Belvedere v UCC, Ballincollig, 3.0; Catholic Institute v Bandon, Rosbrien, 3.0.
