Hermes

Last Season: 3rd

Coach: Simon Filgas (1st season)

Players In: Elaine O’Neill (UCD)
Players Out: Nikki Evans (Railway Union), Shelley Sloan (Pegasus)

Summary: Following a stunning spell of nine titles under Colin Stewart, Simon Filgas has a hard act to follow and the unavailability of Jill Hodgins (November) and Linda Caulfield (January) for most of the first half of the season means another rebuilding year could be in the pipeline.

Fiona Connery’s return is as good as a new signing and gives the back-line a boost, helping replace Sinead McDonnell who is another on a year out.

But the likelihood is schoolgirls Sarah Greene, Niamh Atchelor, Gillian Pinder, Chloe Watkins and Deirdre Duke will become ever more central players.

Retaining a top three place will be the primary target in the Leinster league with Yvonne Kenny likely to see a lot of game-time given Emma Gray’s international status.

First three games: Sept 26 Loreto (h); Oct 10 Trinity (ISC) (h); Oct 17 Pegasus (IHL) (h)