Friday, February 19, 2010

Trinity in IHL "last chance" saloon

The top five meet the bottom five in women’s division one this Saturday in what looks to be a series of fixtures which could go a long way to deciding who takes fourth and fifth in the table.

David Bane sees his side’s battle with Old Alex as very much a “last chance” to close the gap on the top five and earn an IHL place. Goals have been hard to come by for the students – scoring just seven league goals – and just two from play – but a strong defensive resolution means they are still in the mix for fifth place.

Lucy Small could be out for the visit of Alex who were more than a match for Railway for long periods on Wednesday night while American Roz Ellis is a powerful presence in the back-line.
The University of Iowa woman is in Ireland during her off-season to try and propel herself further into the American national team’s plans.

She visits Santry with a sizable former-Trinity contingent in tow with Laura McCoy a key bustling presence while Nicola Gray's powerful corner shot could also return after a Wednesday night absence.

UCD are the other side in the reckoning for an IHL place and welcome back defensive lynch-pin Megan Tenant-Humphreys for the trip to Pembroke after she missed the colours match due to a work placement.

Pembroke are also in the last chance saloon for IHL qualification for a third successive year, surprisingly lying just a point off bottom.

Hermes and Railway will fancy their chances against Glenanne and Corinthian while Loreto will have their international quintet available for selection against Bray before they head out to England on Sunday.

It means Old Alex will be the only side affected in the Jacqui Potter Cup semi-finals as Roisin Flinn will be unavailable for the Milltown date with Corinthian.

Hermes' Emma Gray will not be travelling with Irish set-up this week and the 4.30pm tip off time means that players involved in Ireland training may yet be able to make it to the tie with Pembroke in the second semi-final.

Women’s Division One fixtures (Sat):
Trinity v Old Alex, 11am, Santry; Pembroke v UCD, 12.30pm, Serpentine Ave; Hermes v Glenanne, 1.15pm, St Andrew's; Bray v Loreto, 1.30pm, Loreto Bray; Corinthian v Railway Union, 3.30pm, Whitechurch

Jacqui Potter Cup (Sun):
Old Alex vs Corinthian, 2pm, Milltown; Hermes vs Pembroke, 4.30pm, St Andrew’s

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

HOW WILL RELEGATION/PROMOTION GO???