Railway on track but Hermes and Loreto drop points

Women's IHL Week One round-up:
Leinster champions Railway Union gave notice of their intent in this year's IHL in Saturday's evening game at Park Avenue with a resounding 4-1 win over competition newcomers Ards. A goal in each quarter was the order of the day as Mick McKinnon's side continued their perfect start to the season.

Cecelia Joyce's brilliant turn and reverse broke the deadlock in the 13th minute and once she netted her second from a close-range tap-in the result rarely looked in doubt. Kate Dillon flicked in a corner rebound to make it 3-0 in the second half before Eimear Horan pulled one back.

But Emer Lucey bagged the fourth of the day to seal the bonus point with two minutes to go to ensure a perfect start to the campaign for Railway. It sets up an early Pool A showdown on November 21 when the Sandymount club hosts Cork Harlequins, the other side on maximum points after round one.

Sunday's two fixtures, meanwhile, saw 2008/09 IHL finalists Hermes and Loreto both drop points on home territory in their opening game of the competition.

Pegasus gained a modicum of revenge for their semi-final exit at the hands of Hermes last time round as they plundered a 1-0 win from UCD. Former international Claire McMahon scored the only goal of the game in the 19th minute when she finished off good work by Kate McConnell and Suzanne Beaney by sliding the ball under Emma Gray. It was one of a rare few chances in the first half.

And that pattern continued after the break though Deirdre Duke's one on one chance was well saved by Sharon Moffett while Gray did well to keep four Pegs' corners. It left Hermes with a losing bonus point while the Ulster club return North with three to their name from round one.

For the second week running, Loreto got a late goal but unlike their win against Bray, Cathy McKean's late strike salvaged a draw against Old Alex as the Milltown club were denied a first win in the competition.

An end-to-end game with plenty of goalmouth action saw Louisa Healy and Pamela Smithwick produce top notch performances between the posts at either end. The former saved well from Lucy Cotter's corner strike early on before the latter matched her efforts to deny Nikki Keegan's reverse-stick effort.

And so it continued with each side trading chances. Rachel Griffith and Ann-Marie Cullen pulled off huge tackles to keep the scoreboard blank until the final quarter when Nicola Gray converted a well-worked corner, won by Barbara Fitzgerald.

But Loreto had the final say when Catriona Tipping's run gave the Beaufort club good field position, eventually earning a corner. Hannah Matthews struck crisply and McKean deflected for the leveller and two points for both sides to conclude a lively opening IHL weekend.

Irish Hockey League results:
Pool A: Ballymoney 2 (D McNeill, L Mullen) Pembroke 2 (A Sherriff, S Doyle); Cork Harlequins 4 (K Bateman 2, L-A Daunt, J Bourke) Cork C of I 1 (C Kenefick); Railway Union 4 (C Joyce 2, K Dillon, E Lucey) Ards 1 (E Horan)
Pool B: UCC 4 (A O'Flynn 3, F O'Connell) Randalstown 0; Loreto 1 (C McKean) Old Alex 1 (N Gray); Hermes 0 Pegasus 1 (C McMahon)

Standings (points/goal difference):
Pool A: 1. Cork Harlequins 4pts (+3) 2. Railway Union 4pts (+3) 3. Ballymoney 2pts (0) 4. Pembroke 2pts (0) 5. Ards 0pts (-3) 6. Cork C of I 0pts (-3)
Pool B: 1. UCC 4pts (+4) 2. Pegasus 3pts (+1) 3. Loreto 2pts (0) 4. Old Alex 2pts (0) 5. Hermes 1pt (-1) 6. Randalstown 0pts (-4)

* For Deryck Vincent's photos from Railway Union vs Ards, click here and his shots from Hermes vs Pegasus, click here. For Adrian Boehm's photos of Loreto vs Old Alex, click here

Pembroke produce sublime IHL comeback

Women's IHL Round One (Saturday fixtures):
Pembroke scored twice in the closing quarter to succeed where many have come away empty-handed as they snatched a draw against Ballymoney at the Joey Dunlop Centre, a more than useful two points to begin this year's IHL campaign.

The hosts had bossed the opening stages and built up a 2-0 lead by three-quarter time from Diane McNeill's deflection and Laura Mullan's tap-in following a fine advanatge played by the umpire.

But Aoife Sherriff cracked in Pembroke's third corner of the day to give Pembroke a lifeline and, straight from the restart, the Ballsbridge club went straight up the pitch to win anothe corner. This time round, Shona Doyle was the striker to tie the game up at 2-2 to guarantee two points for each side.

Cork Harlequins, though, seized the early initiative in Pool A as they took a bonus point win from their home tie with city rivals Cork C of I. Karen Bateman's corner and goals from Leslie Ann Daunt and Jane Bourke had the Farmer's Cross hosts cruising before Cathy Kenefick's deflection gave CI a glimmer of hope. Bateman extinguished any such hopes, however, with Quins' fourth, four minutes from time.

In Pool B, UCC had a debut day to remember as they put Randalstown to the sword with a 4-0 wipe-out of Randalstown. Audrey O'Flynn's corner triple was the catalyst before Fiona O'Connell added the icing in the last five minutes.

Pool A: Ballymoney 2 (Diane McNeill, Laura Mullen) Pembroke 2 (Aoife Sherriff, Shona Doyle); Cork Harlequins 4 (Karen Bateman 2, Leslie-Ann Daunt, Jane Bourke) Cork C of I 1 (Cathy Kenefick)
Pool B: UCC 4 (Audrey O'Flynn 3, Fiona O'Connell) Randalstown 0

Trinty tied at top while Bray off mark

Corinthian 0 Trinity 2 (Kylie Deverall, Maebh Horan)
Trinity notched their second win of the season and are in the rare position of a tie for top spot, taking advantage of the rest of the league's IHL involvements. Fresher Kylie Deverall (pictured) scored her first goal for the club in the first half and Maebh Horan's penalty corner strike sealed the deal after the break.

Bray 3 (Cathy O'Toole, Linda O'Neill, Nicky Dignam) Glenanne 0
Linda O'Neill's stunning goal lit up what was a scrappy affair at Loreto today as Bray got off the mark for the season in a tight affair, despite the disparity on the score-sheet. Cathy O'Toole scored first before O'Neill embarked on a mazy run from half-way to disect the Glenanne defence and roof her shot. Nicky Dignam rounded off a brilliant team move which worked its way via Cathy Brock and Cathy O'Toole to complete the rout.

* Adrian Boehm's pictures from Corinthian vs Trinity can be seen here

Rovers take thriller as favourites show their hand

Men's Division One:
Three Rock Rovers 5 (Sven Galjaardt 2, Peter McConnell, Patrick Shanahan, Peter Blakeney) Monkstown 4 (Gareth Watkins 2, Stephen Cole, Ian Allen)
An early contender for match of the season as Three Rock and Monsktown played out a cracker at Grange Road which left a very decent crowd on the edge of their leaning points throughout. Stephen Cole opened the scoring with a reverse-stick peach in the 15th minute from some brilliant Garteh Watkins' burrowing. Peter McConnell swept in a rebound from a duffed corner move; Sven Galjaardt taking the improvised shot and the influential Dutchman - now approaching some form of match fitness - made it 3-1 by the break with one particularly tasty first-time effort.

But the Town were rarely out of the game and were back in the game when Ian Allen snaffled a corner rebound. Patrick Shanahan restored the two-goal advantage with a stunning deflection from Galjaardt's cross before Watkins netted a stroke. Peter Blakeney tapped in Garry Ringwood's shot, again instigated by a pull-back from Galjaardt but Watkins ensured a nervy finish with a scrmabled fourth. A few late corners added to the drama with Blakeney plucking one off the line but Rovers held on for a fourth consecutive win.

Pembroke 10 (Gordon Elliott 2, Justin Sherriff 2, Mick O'Connor 2, Tim Lewis, Conor Harte, Alan Sothern, Maurice Elliott) Railway Union 0
Any derby day threat posed by Railway Union was neutralised early on by Pembroke as they racked up a second double-figures win from two Leinster league games and, coupled with their EHL success, have shown it will take some effort to stop them. Gordy Elliott, Justin Sherriff and Mick O'Connor all netted twice while Tim Lewis finished off the move of the game, sliding in after Justin Sherriff and Alan Sothern created a superb opening. Conor Harte scored a stunning reverse-stick effort too in a comfortable win.

Corinthian 1 (Chris Pelow) Glenanne 3 (Shane O'Donoghue, Johnny Goulding, Stephen Butler)
Glenanne bounced back from their EHL setbacks to comfortably put top three hopefuls Corinthian to bed at Whitechurch Park this afternoon. Stephen Butler was in top form, scoring at corner-time to go with a fine performance at sweeper in place of the injured Joe Brennan with Graham Shaw taking on the midfield work. Chris Pelow's goal had put the reds on terms at 1-1 but the Glens cruised clear in the latter stages.

Clontarf 2 (Andrew Poynter, Luke Hayden) Fingal 3 (Chris Neville, Adrian Sweeney, Paddy Gahan)
For the second week running, Clontarf were left feeling points were left unclaimed as they led twice in the North Dublin derby but Paddy Gahan's 60th minute goal broke their hearts as Fingal got the mark for the season. Andrew Poynter's quick hands netted the first for the only goal before half-time. Chris Neville's corner levelled the game but a counter-attack Luke Hayden goal put the Bulls back in the lead. Fingal had plenty of play but were being stung time and again by Clontarf's pace and could have been further behind before Adrian Sweeney rolled in at the back post for 2-2. And Gahan popped in Dave Bane's pull-back to take all three points.

YMCA 2 (Jacob Webber 2) UCD 1 (Jamie Tobin)
Jacob Webber's sharp-shooting continued YMCA's unbeaten start to the season as they took their chances to beat UCD for the second time in a week. He potted a short corner and one from play, assisted well by Andy Walker in the second half before former YM youngster Jamie Tobin pulled one back with the last touch of the game.

* Adrian Boehm's photos from Corinthian vs Glenanne can be found here while photos of TRR and Monkstown can be seen here

Suttonians hold Bray at bay to stay top

Men's Division Two results:
Bray 2 (Simon Cox 2) Suttonians 3 (Reuben Holden 2, David Quinn)
Suttonians kept their unbeaten record but not before enduring a dramatic late Bray fightback which almost nicked their first point of the season. Reuben Holden's double had the northside club well in command at half-time at 2-0, the second from a drag-flick, and when Dave Quinn finished off a fine move involveing Ed Hipwell and Conor Gillett it looked an easy win. But former Monkstown front man Simon Cox banged in a pair of his own to ensure a nervy finish. Suttonians held on and stay top.

Navan 0 Avoca 4 (Stephen Brownlow 3, Jamie Clabburn)
Stephen  Brownlow continued is fine form with his first hat-trick of the season, making it five in two games, as Avoca won a hard-fought battle at King's Hospital against Navan. The Blackrock club, though, look set to be without Scott Wilkie who picked up a red card for a physical tackle on a Navan attacker bearing down on goal and a further two yellow cards were also dished out on the day.

Dublin Uni 1 (Tolly Humphreys) Weston 2 (Shane O'Hare, Daryl Carey)
Daryl Carey shot Weston's second half winner in a high-tempo battle at Grange Road as the Lucan club defended their circle well to deny clear opportunities and took their chances when they came. A neat interchange saw Andy Gray set up Tolly Humphreys for the game's opening goal but the wily Shane O'Hare (pictured celebrating) brought it level soon after. Daire Coady thought he had given Trinity a second half lead with a deflected corner strike but it was denied due to an over eager team-mate encroaching the circle. Weston took full advantage and former Glenanne man Carey nabbed the winner.

* For photos from Dublin Uni vs Weston, click here

Hermes and Pegasus raise curtain on IHL season

As curtain-raisers go, drawing the winners of ten of the past 11 national club titles would take some beating. Hermes host Pegasus at UCD on Sunday in a defining Pool B tie in a fixture usually reserved for the Springtime.

Shelley Sloan swaps navy for red while Nikki Evans has moved on but there will still be plenty of spice to the fixture with a wealth of former international talent on display. Pegasus do have the know-how to win in Dublin and the winner will have a huge early boost in the tougher of the two groups.

Loreto’s inclusion means three of last year’s semi-finalists fight for two spots with student upstarts UCC adding to the mix. The Beaufort club start with a home tie against transitional Old Alex for whom former player Ann-Marie Cullen will wear the captain’s armband. Sarah Scott and Nicci Daly are in to try and replace the goals supplied last season by Zara Delany.

In Pool A, Railway Union have a much more favourable draw than their last time out and have a significant Ards-connection for their debut tie. Team manager Helen Johnston is a former Ards’ club member while former UCD player Katy Fraser has lined out in Ulster colours with Helen Stevenson. The auto-pass suits Mick McKinnon’s pacy side down to the ground, especially with the link play provided by Sinead Walsh (below, right), and look well set for a semi-final berth.

The other spot is likely to be contested by Ballymoney, Cork Harlequins and Pembroke though the Ulster side, inspired by Bridget Cleland have the major benefit of the comforts of the Joey Dunlop Centre for their first three ties against the other fancied sides. Harlequins’ derby day with city rivals C of I is another opening weekend belter to look out for.

Off pitch, the embryonic has endured a couple of week’s of preseason shenanigans as the qualification rules came up for discussion yet again. Clubs initially received word that an IHL committee proposal for an additional place for a Connacht club in the end of season, wildcard play-offs, would be implemented; increasing the competition to five teams for the final two IHL places.

The IHA management board belatedly over-ruled that option, deeming it as a ‘significant structural change’ to the Irish Hockey League. Such ‘significant’ changes are protected in a clause stating the IHL structure remains unaltered for three years.

In a statement released this week, the IHA said "the opinion of the Board is that if the rule remained as put forward by the IHL committee then the IHA would be legitimately open to appeal by Clubs against the rule change."

It is a blow for Connacht hockey, especially in the manner the affair was conducted. They were the one province not to gain an extra entry to the major, national competition in the expansion from the eight-team club championship up to 12 teams in the IHL – holding just a sole wildcard play-off place. The ruling means they will not have two places at least until the end of this three year period.

In a similar vein, the destination of Ireland’s two European places is currently up for discussion for the 2010/11 season. The deadline for club submissions is today (Friday) as to whether two places should go to the IHL as opposed to the current situation where one place is allocated for the IHL and one for the Irish Senior Cup winners. Nonetheless, the hockey takes centre-stage this weekend with some serious action in prospect.

*For a team by team analysis of the IHL season ahead, click here

Pool A (Saturday): Ballymoney vs Pembroke Wanderers, 1pm, Joey Dunlop Centre; Cork Harlequins vs Cork Church of Ireland, 2pm, Farmer’s Cross; Railway Union vs Ards, 5pm, Park Avenue
Pool B (Saturday): UCC vs Randalstown, 12.30pm, The Mardyke
(Sunday): Loreto vs Old Alexandra, 3.30pm, Beaufort; Hermes vs Pegasus, 1.45pm, UCD

Quartet looking for upward mobility

With the women's IHL taking centre-stage this weekend, last season's bottom four are the only side's in women's Leinster division one action this Saturday. All four have realistic ambitions on narrowing the gap to the top six and have shown a fairly competitive edge.

Bray have pushed both Pembroke and Loreto to the limit thus far, notably last weekend only to be denied by Nikki Symmons' stroke 15 seconds from time. Grania Howe's midfield workings have dovetailed well with former internationals Catherine Murray and Linda O'Neill though they will be concerned with their non-performance against closer rivals in the standings, Trinity.

Likewise, Glenanne lost their opening league game to Corinthian and then defied the odds to outdo an immensely talented Ulster Elks in the Irish Senior Cup. Both sides will hope to show their true colours at Loreto on Saturday.

Corinthian and Trinity, meanwhile, find themselves in the unfamiliar surrounds of the top five at this early stage in the season with the possibility for one to tie for first place. For the reds, a settled squad has borne immediate fruit with their win from their only league outing to date while a respectable ISC showing against Pegasus augurs well.


David Bane, meanwhile, is fairly pleased with his panel for whom Katie Grehan, Kylie Deverall and Eanna Horan are more than handy additions.


Leinster Ladies Division 1
Saturday: Bray v Glenanne, 1pm, Loreto Bray; Corinthian v Trinity, 1pm, Whitechurch

The Women's IHL runners and riders

IHL 2009/10 Groups:
Pool A: Railway Union, Ballymoney, Ards, Pembroke, Cork Harlequins, Cork C of I
Pool B: Pegasus, Hermes, Loreto, Randalstown, UCC, Old Alex

Pool A
Ards
Last Year: n/a
IHL Record: First appearance
Qualified as: 3rd in Ulster
The lowdown: Losses to Lisnagarvey and Armagh in the past fortnight is not the ideal build-up to a tie for a tournament baptism at Park Avenue. Their next two games will be key – hosting Ballymoney and Cork C of I – if their interest in the play-offs is to continue into the New Year.

Ballymoney
Last Year: 3rd Pool B
IHL Record: Pl 5 W2 D2 L1 GF 12 GA 7
Qualification as: 2nd in Ulster
The lowdown: Denied a semi-final spot by Eimear Cregan’s stunning last gasp goal against Armagh which gave Harlequins the crucial bonus point. Until five minutes to go, they occupied the play-off spot. Revenge will be on their mind in round four in April. Teams rarely come away from the Joey Dunlop Centre with a full set of points and so three home games is a major boost. Their away trips, to Ards and C of I, are very winnable making ’Money a very good bet for a semi-final place this time out.

Cork C of I
Last Year: 4th Pool A
IHL Record: Pl 5 W1 D0 L4 GF 4 GA 14
Qualification as: 2nd in IHL play-offs; 3rd in Munster
The lowdown: Very much Pool A outsiders with the loss of Deirdre Casey and Michaela Mihailou while one former Railway Union Kenefick sister is swapped for another as Cathy returns from her travels while Jenny moves to Canada. They begin with three away trips and will certainly need something from trips to Ards and Pembroke to have any hope in the New Year.

Cork Harlequins
Last Year: semi-finalists, lost to Loreto 2-0
IHL Record: Pl 6 W3 D1 L2 GF 9 GA 8
Qualification as: Munster champions
The lowdown: Despite three home games as Munster champions, their away trips to Railway and Ballymoney mean a repeat semi-final looks a tough proposition. Rachael Kohler, Cliona O’Connor, Jane Chapple and Jan Dillon’s absence will also be felt. Six new additions, though, including Sinead McCarthy – from Poynton in England – balance the books. McCarthy looks very much the real deal while youngsters Yvonne O’Byrne and Acacia Taylor are progressing.

Pembroke Wanderers
Last Year: 5th Pool B
IHL Record: Pl 5 W1 D0 L4 GF 5 GA 10
Qualification as: 4th in Leinster
The lowdown: An early win over Armagh failed to spark a concerted charge for the play-offs. This year, long trips to Ballymoney and Harlequins and a short hop to Sandymount rivals Railway Union make this a daunting group but if Olympian Natalie Fulton can galvanise her side with an increased playing presence, Pembroke can cause a few problems. They need to get goals, though, from alternative sources, though, now Louisa Moore has left these shores.

Railway Union
Last Year: 3rd Pool A
IHL Record: Pl 5 W3 D1 L1 GF 13 GA 6
Qualification as: Leinster champions
The lowdown: Denied a semi-final place by a bonus point, their tussles with Pegasus and Loreto were the highlights of the group stages in 08/09. A Leinster league win has the reward of an easier group on paper this time around and a strengthened squad are likely to give the IHL a serious punt this year. Ballymoney is a tricky trip while Harlequins cannot be discounted but their considerable fire-power could see a few bonus point wins to help progression.

Pool B
Hermes
Last Year: Runners-up, lost 2-1 on penalty shoot-out to Loreto
IHL Record: Pl 7 W5 D2 L0 GF 16 GA 5*
Qualification as: 3rd in Leinster

The lowdown: Very much ‘group of death’ territory here with three of last year’s semi-finalists duking it out. Their first IHL match under Simon Filgas is an absolute belter; Pegasus at UCD is usually reserved for All-Ireland final’s day, not mid-October could well be a defining moment. Preseason assertions that Linda Caulfield would rest up until Christmas may be on hold as she lined out against Trinity and her involvement along with the returning Fiona Connery will be key. Just one of three away trips – Randalstown – is outside the capital.

Loreto
Last Year: Champions
IHL Record: P7 W5 D2 L0 GF 21 GA 9*
Qualification as: 2nd in Leinster
The lowdown: The reigning champions have drawn the short straw in having to travel to Pegasus in November and will also need to find the goals to replace the departed Zara Delany – last season’s top scorer despite missing the play-offs with her current injury. Nonetheless, the squad is still on the formidable side. Pitfalls abound in their group with a tricky trip to the unfamiliar surrounds of the Mardyke and local derbies with Hermes and Old Alex. But they conquered the tougher group last time out and have the confidence to do so again.

Old Alex
Last Year: n/a
IHL Record: First appearance
Qualification as: IHL Playoff winners; 5th in Leinster
The lowdown: The changing of the guard at Alex and just one competitive game to date – a 3-0 loss to Railway – makes this a very tough debut IHL season. A trip to the champions, Loreto, in week one followed by a Randalstown away day is a far from ideal start. They bossed the play-off last year and will hope to bring confidence from that success into the competition and if they can salvage some early points, the abundance of youth in Miles Warren and Ivan Ovington’s squad could grow as the tournament develops.

Pegasus
Last Year: Semi-finalists, lost 4-1 to Hermes
IHL Record: Pl 6 W4 D0 L2 GF16 GA12
Qualification as: Ulster champions
The lowdown: Whether what happened to Pegasus at the business end of last season is a terminal decline or a blip will likely be determined in this season’s IHL. Indeed, the reckoning comes sooner rather than later with a trip to Hermes before they host Loreto in round two. A glut of former international talent remains and Shelley Sloan is back from a year in the capital. Belgian-based Alex Speers is their big loss. The scars of UCD and Hermes’ big wins may still remain but if they can lay one of those demons to rest on Sunday then they can be a very dangerous proposition. They finish with two very winnable home games so even in a couple of draws would suit them fine in the early stages.

Randalstown
Last Year: 6th Pool A
IHL Record: Pl5 W0 D1 L4 GF 10 GA 19
Qualification as: 4th in Ulster
The lowdown: A winless debut IHL season for Randalstown and the worst defense in the competition last time round suggest they may struggle again in such a high quality grouping and they will need Vanessa Surgeonor and Rebecca Dallas to be on form to dispel such thoughts. They start with a long road-trip to UCC for a crucial tie for both sides. A win there followed by a home tie with Alex would see them in good shape before the big three come out to play. Anything less and it could be a very hard slog.

UCC
Last Year: n/a
IHL Record: First appearance
Qualification as: Munster runners-up
The lowdown: The regular turnover of players in student clubs did not materialise and the retention of Audrey O’Flynn and Julia O’Halloran gives UCC some international clout. They will need it with the group’s big three lying in wait after Randalstown this weekend, making this an exceptionally tough debut year. A play-off for the Munster title last season suggests they have the ability to get by Alex and Randalstown but breaking into the play-offs will be a tall order, especially with Hollie Moffett now residing in England.

*Shoot-out counted as draw

Glens backlash threat to Reds revival

Corinthian’s credentials will be put to their most severe test of whether they can break the top three as they face the threat of a wounded Glenanne. Two games inside 20 hours in the scorching Barcelona heat took its toll but there was enough in their defeat to European kingpins UHC Hamburg to suggest they are in fairly decent fettle. The backlash to dented pride could be severe.

Joe Brennan, though, will be out and faces a race against time to be ready for the World Cup Qualifiers due to a serious looking hand injury. They get underway on November 14 and Brennan’s absence would be a big blow to Paul Revington’s plans.

The sweeper has enjoyed a rejuvenated international career since the South African took over and has been a near ever-present in the past year. The initial prognosis last Sunday was three to four weeks.

The reds have Darren Kimfley back in the fold, a major influence when Corinthian tied 3-3 with the Glens before winning on strokes in the Mills’ quarter-final last season.

Three Rock and Monkstown is the other big game. Rovers have shown more flint than flair to date, grinding three wins in a row. Defensively, they have shown solidity but await the goals from Peter Blakeney and Sven Galjaardt – recently introduced to the fold after injury.

Charlie Henderson trained this week and could don the pads ahead of Stephen West who impressed last week in ALSAA.

In Monkstown, they play a side with the opposite issues. Eight scored and eight conceded from three league games tells their tale. Something has to give and if Watkins’ form last week and the potential corner threat from Andy Ewington or newcomer Matt Fairweather make this a shoot-out, this could be a fascinating battle.

In the Sandymount derby, Pembroke will hope there is no lingering hangover from their high-octane EHL adventure against Railway Union who relish the prospect of upsetting the homecoming.
Across town, the first division one, northside derby for a couple of years will see either Fingal or Clontarf get off the mark.

Mukhtar Ahmed made his debut for the Bulls last week after a couple of seasons in Sutton and provides a tricky outlet. Both sides need to get their scoring sticks functioning, though, if they are to escape a prolonged relegation scrap. YM and UCD face off for the second time in a week.

In division two, the top three face the bottom three though form or predictions have counted for little to date. Dublin Uni will hope to keep a measure of home advantage despite their move away from the Santry sands to the Grange Road water.

Steven Roberts, a match winner against Avoca, knows the ground well having moved just a month ago from Rovers. Former Trinity skipper Brian Scully, though, will hope to spoil the student’s plans as Weston make the quick trip around the M50.

The Lucanites will hope to make use of the high levels of possession they have enjoyed in recent times and stick a few goals away.

Table-toppers Suttonians face coastal rivals Bray while Navan’s competitive edge will be in effect when they host Avoca. The twin threats of Jamie Clabburn and Stephen Brownlow need to be contained, though, if Steven McGrath’s charges are to pick up their first win this term.

Leinster men’s fixtures (Saturday)
Division 1: Pembroke Wanderers vs Railway Union, 2pm, Serpentine Avenue; Clontarf vs Fingal, 2.15pm, Mount Temple; Three Rock Rovers vs Monkstown, 3pm, Grange Road; Corinthian vs Glenanne, 2.30pm, Whitechurch Park; YMCA vs UCD, 2pm, Alexandra College

Division 2: Navan vs Avoca, 12.30pm, King’s Hospital; Dublin University vs Weston, 1.15pm, Grange Road; Bray vs Suttonians, 2.30pm, Loreto Bray

Wesley continue winning ways as Gerards drop first points

Leinster Schoolgirls Premier League
Section A

Week Three results:
Mount Temple 1-3 Wesley
Wesley continue their 100pc record after three rounds of the Premier League  while Mount Temple will rue missed opportunities early on against the section A front-runners.  Twice they created one-on-one chances but on both occasions they could not convert.  Hannah Honner put Wesley in front, and the same player netted her fourth of the competition so far with seconds to go to the interval to give Wesley a 2-0 lead at the break.  Nicola Taylor pulled a goal back for Mount Temple, but Amy Stewart ensured Wesley maintained their perfect start in Section A.

St Andrew's 2-0 Loreto, Bray
St Andrews maintained their perfect start to the league with a comfortable victory against Loreto Bray. Gillian Pinder opened the scoring from a corner, and Sarah Woodroofe doubled the lead. In the second half Bray defended excellently and created a few chances themselves, but the scoreline was not added to by either side.

Rathdown 0-5 Muckross Park
Muckross impressed in Glenageary as the 2008/09 league finalists picked up their first win of this year’s campaign.

Section B
Week Two result
High School 1-0 Loreto Foxrock
A fairly even game with chances at both ends was settled when Susan McRann scored a short corner in the last ten minutes to win the match. It’s their second win from two outings so far this term.

Week Three results:
Alexandra College 4-0 High School
Alexandra College were away to a young and talented High School team that played well for long periods of time. The two teams were evenly matched for the first half with only a brilliant solo effort from Deirdre Duke making it 1-0 at half time. In the second half Alex started to control possession a little more with their forwards all creating chances for each other. High School were dangerous on the counter-attack, with some good chances and winning a few corners. In the end, the sustained pressure from Alex paid off when they scored three late goals to make the final score 4-0.

Sutton Park 0-2 Mount Anville
Sutton showed further improvement, as they kept Mount Anville at bay for all of the first half.  The away side dominated possession and territory, but had few circle penetrations or shots on goal in the opening period.  Mount Anville settled their nerves early in the second period when they forced a roll-over from the Sutton defence, and made no mistake in finishing the move.  A second goal midway through the half ensured there would be no surprise result. The Goatstown school now has two wins from two.

St Gerards 2-2 Holy Child Killiney
St Gerards may well be wondering how they managed not to take all three points from this fixture.  Goals from Danni Maher and Meadhbh Delahunt had them two up at the break which could have been more - they also sent a stroke wide in the opening period.  Killiney got back into the game when Ailish Naughton deflected in a corner.  Naughton also scored the equalizer after a fantastic solo run.  Killiney had goalkeeper Sadie Lowe to thank as she pulled off a brilliant save in the dying seconds to keep the scores level which gave Killiney their first point of the campaign and Gerards dropped their first points from three games.

Week 4 (to be played by October 24)
Section A: Our Lady's Terenure v St Andrews College; Loreto, Dalkey v Rathdown; Loreto, Bray v Muckross Park; Wesley v Mount Sackville
Section B: St Gerards v The High School; Holy Child, Killiney v Sutton Park; Alexandra College v Mount Anville; The Kings Hospital v Loreto, Beaufort

Pembroke vs Rotterdam - EHL extended highlights

Glenanne vs UHC Hamburg highlights

Cookstown and Andrews set for re-match

Cookstown and St Andrew's are set to renew rivalries at Campbell College next week as the pair were once agin drawn in the same group for the All-Ireland Schools competition.

The two schools were the major winners last year with Cookstown taking the John Waring 'Super Sixes' title while Andrew's overcame the Co Tyrone school in a 3-2 nail-biter in the group stages of the enlarged competition en route to overall glory.

This time out, neither are likely to be favourites going in to the tournament as Banbridge - who won three years ago when Campbell last hosted - look set to blaze the trail.

Featuring nine of the recently triumphant Ulster U-18 panel - including star man Stephen Dowds - Bann look the team to beat. Bandon GS look their biggest competitor for the one semi-final spot on offer from Pool C.

Wesley, as always, will hope to have a major say at the business end of the competition and are drawn against Sutton Park, Sullivan Upper and Raphoe's Royal and Prior.

The competition will get underway with group matches on October 21 and 22 and the semi-finals and finals on Friday, October 23.

All-Ireland School’s draw
Pool A: Ashton School, Kilkenny College, Kilkeel HS, Friends School
Pool B: Cookstown HS, Wallace HS, St Andrew’s College, Midleton
Pool C: Bandon GS, Banbridge Academy, Campbell College, Mount Temple
Pool D: Wesley College, Sutton Park, Sullivan Upper, Royal and Prior Raphoe

* A full preview will appear in Thursday's Evening Herald.

Hermes and Railway face off in ESB second round

All-Ireland finalists Hermes will play Leinster league champions Railway Union on November 7 in the pick of the local ties drawn yesterday for the second round of the ESB Senior Cup.

With eight of the 17 remaining Senior Cup entrants hailing from Leinster, it was always likely the draw would throw up a high profile local derby and it did not disappoint.

Elsewhere, Pembroke's reward should they get by Lurgan is a home tie against Glenanne. Loreto also enjoy home advantage when they play Ards. The only side to leave the capital is Old Alex who face a tester against Cork Harlequins. UCD's defence continues in Bray.

Meanwhile, there is a cracking All-Ulster contest in waiting as Pegasus and Randalstown face off.


ESB Senior Cup Second round draw (November 7):
Hermes v Railway Union; Pembroke Wanderers or Lurgan v Glenanne; Loreto v Armagh; Ards v UCC; Cork Harlequins v Old Alex; Pegasus v Randalstown; Bray v UCD; Lisnagarvey v Ballymoney

Pembroke vs Kelburne highlights