Big guns enter fray

Women's Hockey PreviewsSixteen clubs will battle it out this weekend for a place in the third round of the Irish Senior Cup as the top-seeded teams - Pegasus, Ballymoney, Randalstown, Hermes, Loreto, Old Alexandra, Cork Harlequins and Church of Ireland - enter the fray.

With three all-Ulster ties tomorrow the province is guaranteed six representatives in the third round, with North Down and Victorians, who meet Leinster opposition, and Belfast Harlequins, who play the University of Limerick, hoping to make it nine.

North Down beat Corinthians with an extra-time golden goal in the first round but face in-form Railway Union, while Victorians, also at home, are up against UCD, making their second trip north after beating Ballymena in the opening round. Only two Leinster clubs have home draws, Pembroke Wanderers, who host Bandon, and Trinity who meet Ashton, with both favourites to advance.

The game of the weekend on the league front is the meeting of Loreto and Old Alexandra at Beaufort.

Irish Senior Cup: Tomorrow: Second round - Trinity v Ashton, Santry, 1pm; North Down v Railway Union, Comber, 2.30; Armagh v Knock, Ardmore Centre, 2.30; Belfast Harlequins v Univ of Limerick, Deramore Park, 2.30; Ards v Ballyclare, Ards Leisure Centre, 3pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Bandon, Serpentine Avenue, 2.30; Victorians v UCD, Jordanstown, 2.30; Lisnagarvey v Omagh, Hillsborough, 2.30.

Leinster League: Tomorrow: Division One - Hermes v Corinthian, Booterstown, 12pm; Loreto v Old Alexandra, Beaufort, 2.15. Division Two - Bray v Loreto, Bray, 1pm; Corinthian II v Suttonians, Whitechurch, 1pm; Glenanne v Hermes II, Tallaght. 1.30; Pembroke Wanderers II v Old Alexandra II, Ballsbridge, 4pm.

Munster League: Tomorrow: Division One - Belvedere v UCC, Ballincollig 1.30; Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, Farmers Cross, 2pm.