Friday, March 19, 2010

Hermes hoping for double delight

On another hectic weekend of hockey, Hermes will hope to rebuild an advantage at the top of division one as they finish both Corinthian and Trinity’s season’s this weekend.

Neither side have much to play for bar staking a claim for sixth spot in the final standings, a finishing point which would signify decent progress for both.

Corinthian have proven a far more robust side this year with a settled side to choose from after a couple of years of player transiency while Stewart Walker has brought good know-how to the party.

They host title-chasing Hermes in their final match on Saturday before the Booterstown club faces Trinity on Sunday.

In a similar vein, David Bane has worked well with his student side, making them particularly solid at the back though their challenge for an IHL place fell on hard ground due to the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer.

They face another side jockeying for sixth, Glenanne, on Saturday who can leap-frog both sides with three points and a fixture to go.

But the significant action all takes place in relation to the title race. The season looks to be building to a final day crescendo with Railway and Hermes facing off.

Hermes have the easier ties, though double weekends can prove tricky, especially as their St Andrew’s contingent have three games in their legs from the Ireland school’s action.

Railway’s derby date with Pembroke could also be tough against a side looking to bounce back after their Jacqui Potter cup final defeat on Wednesday.

Loreto rely on other results to get back into the fray and Alex have proven to be a tough nut to crack.

Bray play UCD needing a win to have any hope of avoiding the bottom rung in the standings.
Elsewhere, two Irish titles will be handed out over the weekend at Belfield.

First up, Fermoy play UCD in a repeat of the 2009 ESB Irish Hockey Challenge final before Sunday sees Catholic Institute attempt to change from runners-up to winners in the Irish Hockey Trophy.

Railway Union II and Old Alex II fight for the right to represent Leinster in the Irish Junior Cup final, too.

Leinster Ladies Division One
Saturday:
Railway Union vs Pembroke, 12.45pm, Park Ave; Corinthian vs Hermes, 1.30pm, Whitechurch; Loreto vs Old Alex, 2pm, Beaufort; Bray vs UCD, 2.30pm, Loreto Bray; Glenanne vs Trinity, 3.15pm, Glenanne Park
Sunday: Hermes vs Trinity, 12.15pm St Andrews; Loreto vs Pembroke, 4.30pm, Beaufort

ESB Irish Hockey Challenge Final
Saturday:
Fermoy v YMCA, 1.30pm, Belfield

ESB Irish Hockey Trophy Final
Sunday:
Catholic Institute v Greenfields, 1.30pm, Belfield

ESB Irish Junior Cup Semi Finals
Saturday:
Randalstown II v Lurgan II, 2.30pm, Antrim Rd; Railway II v Old Alex II, 4pm, Park Ave

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Persuming Hermes and Railway get the same result this week end. What happens if there head to head game is a draw they will be tied on points. Is there a playoff or do the play et and strokes straight away?

Anonymous said...

Alex 2nds should do well tomorrow as they have almost won every game this season and are a strong team!!

Anonymous said...

wins then goal difference then goals for I think.