Women's IHL preview: Round Five

Seven teams will slug it out on Saturday afternoon for three remaining semi-final places on offer in the inaugural women's IHL, with Hermes the only side already guaranteed to advance after four rounds of competition.

The Booterstown club could do Leinster rivals UCD a favour, though, in Pool B if they were to beat Ballymoney. The Ulster side are the current incumbents of second place in the group which three sides are gunning for. UCD need to beat Pembroke at Serpentine Avenue to push their claims effectively as Cork Harlequins are not likely to have too many problems with coachless Armagh.

A cosmopolitan crowd is guaranteed at Pembroke as the ambassadors from the constituent countries taking part in the EuroHockey Cup Winners Cup on the Easter weekend will be in attendance. With one point covering three teams, it's too tight to call.

Pool A has the interesting scenario that Loreto have the best record by a distance in the competition thus far but are not guaranteed a semi spot just yet. In a grandstand finish to 'Super Saturday' beginning at 5.30pm, Railway's result against Loreto must outdo Pegasus at home to Cork C of I.

The Park Avenue side could win but still be eliminated while Loreto could go out if they lose by three and Pags win by the same margin. It makes for an expensive afternoon on the phones keeping up to date with all the permutations.

There is one dead rubber, meanwhile, as Belfast Harlequins and Randalstown have their last opportunity of the season to show off the excitement of the IHL.

ESB Women’s Pool A:

Pegasus v Cork C of I, 5.30pm, Havelock Park; Railway Union v Loreto, 5.30, Park Ave; Randalstown v Belfast HQ, 2.30pm, Antrim Forum

ESB Women’s Pool B
Hermes v Ballymoney, 1pm, UCD; Cork Harlequins v Armagh, 1pm, Harlequin Park; Pembroke Wanderers v UCD, 1pm, Serpentine Avenue