Ireland travel to Russia in June for challenge event

WOMEN'S HOCKEY WEEKEND PREVIEW:IRELAND'S SCHEDULE for 2009 will include a trip to Kazan, Russia in June for the inaugural Champions Challenge II, the third division of the annual Champions' series.

Gene Muller's team will be joined in the event by Netherlands Antilles, Belgium, Canada, China, India, Ukraine and hosts Russia.

Meanwhile Muller now knows the nature of the challenge that faces his squad at August's EuroHockey Nations tournament in Amsterdam after Ireland were drawn in a pool with Germany, Spain and Scotland, with Holland, England, Azerbaijan and Russia making up Pool A.

On the home front Leinster division one leaders Railway Union have the weekend off, with their coach Mick McKinnon on duty with Leinster at the under-16 interprovincial tournament in Kilkenny, where Connacht will be defending their title.

The chasing pack, then, have a chance to close the gap on Railway, with Loreto in action twice over the weekend. If they win both games they will move within a point of the leaders, having played an extra match, but their fixtures couldn't be any more testing: they're away to Old Alexandra tomorrow and Hermes on Sunday.

Alexandra have been bolstered by the arrival, for three months, of South African international Lesley-Ann George. The 23-year-old has won 89 caps for her country.

UCD lost further ground in the table when they drew with Trinity on Wednesday, Trinity's first point of the season, and could be tested again by Glenanne in Tallaght tomorrow.

Leinster League, Div One: Tomorrow - Glenanne v UCD, Tallaght, 12.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Trinity, Serpentine Avenue, 12.30; Old Alexandra v Loreto, Milltown, 1.30. Sunday: Hermes v Loreto, St Andrews, 3pm. Munster League, Div One: Tomorrow - Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, Harlequin Park, 2.30; Ashton v Univ of Limerick, Ashton, 3.30; Belvedere v UCC, Ballincollig, 11.30; Bandon v Church of Ireland, Bandon, 12.30. Under-16 Interprovincial Tournament (at Kilkenny College): Tomorrow - South East v Connacht, 9.30; Ulster v Munster, 11am; South East v Leinster, 12.30; Munster v Connacht, 2pm; Leinster v Ulster, 3.30. Sunday: Leinster v Munster, 9.30; Connacht v Ulster, 11am; South East v Munster, 12.30; Leinster v Connacht, 2pm; South East v Ulster, 3.30.