Such is the way Saturday's fixtures pan out, the serious hockey fan could get to at least four games without much difficulty.The action begins out Santry direction where David Bane's Trinity side will hope to take advantage at 10am of the quartet of Loreto players - Louisa Healy, Lizzie Colvin, Cathy McKean and Nikki Symmons - involved with the Irish team in their series with Canada.
Currently, Niamh Small is available for the league fixture as she is outside of Gene Muller's 18-woman Irish panel for Saturday's game but could be called in should there be injuries on Friday afternoon.
Old Alex get underway at a more regular 1.15pm in the highlight of the day's action as the improving hosts to take on third placed Hermes - who welcome back their own quintet of Ireland A players: Emma Grey, Anna O'Flanagan, Chloe Watkins, Niamh Atcheler and double goal-scorer Nikki Evans.
At Park Avenue, leaders Railway will hope to get back to winning ways but will need Sarah McDonald and Emer Lucey on top form to hold out Nicci Daly and Mary Waldron. Glenanne, though, may be without Marie Goulding after she needed stitches for a facial injury sustain
ed against Corinthian.Corinthian, meanwhile, are waiting on the fitness of skipper Carol McGowan for their visit to Pembroke who have yet to lose at home this term.
The final port of call sees UCD on pitch directly after the national women with Lisa Jacob in the Irish panel. Flinn, in a similar manner to Niamh Small, is included in the Irish squad for Friday and Sunday but has the day off on Saturday, making her available for UCD barring injuries.
Bray's Mary Goode is another to miss out for her club due to national priority.
International series:
(Friday)Ireland vs Canada, 2pm, Belfield
(Saturday)Ireland vs Canada, 2.30pm, Belfield
(Sunday)Ireland vs Canada, 2pm, Belfield
Division One (Saturday):
Railway Union vs Glenanne, 2.30pm, Park Avenue; Pembroke vs Corinthian, 4pm, Serpentine Avenue; Trinity vs Loreto, 10am, Santry Avenue; UCD vs Bray, 4.15pm, Belfield; Old Alex vs Hermes, 1.15pm, Alexandra College
6 comments:
I see Railway easily beating Glenanne this weekend. They have too much pace up front for the Glens defence and will benefit from their outrageous lack of internationals. All the same if Glens can get the ball to Nicci Daly they will have a chance. She might be their only hope
It is such a catostrophic shame railway are lacking any international standard players, my oh my. Im going to have to check out the canada games at the weekend, the standard must be exceptional that not one railway player will be seen.
No Senior game should have to start at 10 am. Trinity should not be allowed get away with this
I agree, Trinity should definitely not be allowed to have their matches at 10am. It is not only bad for spectators but it disrupts players who have a crucial role in coaching and developement of our younger players, who have schools matches/club colts training every Saturday morning. Leinster Council should put an end to this unnecessary disruption immediately and support the coaches and teachers out there who support underage and school hockey every Saturday morning.
The rules say you can play your game between 10am and 4pm in division one. Trinity are within their rights to play their home matches whenever suits them best. It is a pity that some of those more involved in hockey on other teams should lose out because of this, but every team has its problems and Trinity's is that it has a very good coach who is also a very good player. As a result he cannot be at Trinity's matches when he has to be playing for Fingal. It is in their best interests to have him on their sideline and they are doing what they have to for the best of their team and club by fixing their matches early.
Out of interest, is there any particular reason why the start time of Men's Division 1 matches are restricted to the afternoon and the Ladies Division 1 are not?? Surely it should be the same ruling!
Post a Comment