Muckross lose out to Eurovision

WHEN Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest, yet again, in Norway earlier this year little did the players and officials, of Muckross know that one of the consequences of the victory would be the abandonment of their plans' to host the European Club women's hockey championships in Dublin next May.

When the Irish Les Hockey Union set about booking hotel accommodation for the seven European clubs scheduled to play in the championships with Muckross at Belfield they discovered the event was clashing with the 1997 musical battle of Europe, leaving most Dublin hotels fully booked.

The end result of the accommodation shortage is that the Italians have stepped in to replace Muckross as hosts and the Championships will now take place in Sicily.

Muckross will hope to find Loreto a little more accommodating" in the top of the table clash at Rathdown School tomorrow. After, a month long break from the Leinster Senior League, when the weekends were occupied by the Leinster Cup and the senior and under 21 interprovincials, the joint leaders meet for the first time this season with Loreto keen to erase, the memory of their defeat to Hermes a month ago which brought an end to their 100 per cent start to the campaign.

A 0-0 draw at Rathdown would be the best possible outcome for third and fourth placed Old Alexandra and Hermes who play Trinity and Railway Union, respectively.

Meanwhile in Palmerstown tomorrow Leinster begin the defence of their under 18 interprovincial title with the opening match of the tournament against South East. Leinster field a young team, most of whom played at under 16 level last season, and will expect a strong challenge from Munster and Ulster in particular over the two days.