Pembroke face test in division of two halves

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: With cup and weather interruptions there haven't been many full Leinster Division One schedules of late, but all 10 sides are due to be in league action tomorrow, with the top five meeting the bottom five.

There is a sizeable gap between the two halves, fifth-placed Hermes 11 points ahead of Pembroke Wanderers in sixth, with the latter just four clear of bottom club Glenanne. And Pembroke face what looks like being tomorrow’s toughest task, an away trip to leaders UCD, who seek a ninth league win in a row.

The teams drew 3-3 in their opening fixture of the campaign, UCD dropping another five points in their next two games, but have been on a roll since. They will, though, be weakened when their seven internationals head to Spain next month with Ireland for, first, a training camp and then the FIH World League II.

Railway Union, Old Alexandra and Loreto will be less effected, with two players each on the panel, but Hermes will lose four players.

TOMORROW – Leinster League – Division One: Trinity v Hermes, Wesley College, 1.30; Old Alexandra v Corinthian, Milltown, 3pm; North Kildare v Loreto, Kilcock, 3.30; UCD v Pembroke Wanderers, Belfield, 4.15; Glenanne v Railway Union, St Mark’s, 4.30.

Irish Junior Cup – Second round: Ashton v Queens, Ashton, 1pm; Banbridge v Railway Union, Havelock Park, 1pm; Lisnagarvey v Loreto, Comber Road, 1pm; Ballymoney v Old Alexandra, Joey Dunlop Centre, 1.15; Lurgan v Randalstown, Lurgan, 2.30; Portadown v Hermes, Edenville, 2.30; UCD v Genesis, Belfield, 2.30; Ulster Elks v Pembroke Wanderers, UUJ, 2.30.