WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Although the country's eight leading teams have byes into the last-16, the second round of the Sharwoods-sponsored Irish Senior Cup will provide ample interest tomorrow.
Notably, it is reckoned that the universities champions, Trinity, are in much sharper form than they were in mid-October when they lost 4-0 to tomorrow's opponents, Old Alexandra. This tie at Santry may well be finely balanced if the students' front runners, Kim Wallis and Choilfoinn Rowan, can disturb the visitors' defence in the opening exchanges.
Alexandra, though, have yielded little this season and with Leanne Ryan back to join Zanya Dahl and Jan Perrin in midfield, the likelihood is that they can gain control.
Experience, too, will be a factor with six former Trinity captains in the Alexandra squad, from which coach Ivan Ovington can afford to rest the Leinster under-18 skipper, Laura Murphy, as she prepares for next week's interprovincials.
Of the other university sides, UCD - though missing their three World Cup players - should still be too well equipped for Belvedere at Ballincollig while NUIG, having eliminated Railway Union in the first round, seem capable of beating Waterford at Mervue.
A top-quality Leinster-Munster pairing involves Corinthians and Cork C of I at Whitechurch Park, where Rosita Wolfe and Kathy Johnson could be key figures in a home victory.
TOMORROW: Irish Senior Cup (second round) - Belfast Harlequins v Bandon, Deramore Park, 2.30 (D Murphy, D Tovey); NUIG v Waterford, Mervue , 1.30 (Z Howe, A Logan); Ballymena v Portadown, Ballymena Showgrounds, 2.30 (J Lough, K.Burrell); Genesis v Knock, St. Gerards School, Bray, 2.0 (N Brislane, C Metchette); Dublin University v Old Alexandra, Santry , 2.30 (G Banks, A Murray); Belvedere v UCD, Ballincollig, 2.0 (K. Treacy, C Kelly); Corinthians v Cork C of I, Whitechurch Park, 1.0 (P Hale, J Beamish); Randalstown v Victorians, Antrim Forum, 2.30 (A. McCloskey, P Hall). Leinster League: Division Two: Aer Lingus v Clontarf, ALSAA, 10.30; Genesis II v Three Rock Ladies, Rathdown ,12.0; Loreto II v Our Lady's , Beaufort 12.30; Pembroke Wanderers II v Corinthians II, Serpentine Avenue, 5.0; Old Alexandra II v Hermes II, Milltown 5.0.
SUNDAY: Leinster League - Division One: Trinity v Pembroke, Santry 12.0; Glenanne v Old Alexandra, Tallaght, 3.15.
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