Crucial fixture postponed

A complete lack of clarity over the issue of Irish internationals playing for their clubs after Christmas, when they are expected to devote their energies to the build-up to the Olympic Qualifier in March, contributed to the Leinster branch postponing yesterday's crucial Senior A fixture between Hermes and Old Alexandra, just hours before the game was due to be played.

Neither club was consulted about the decision which was made despite the fact that Hermes had been given permission on Saturday night by the Irish Council to play their five internationals. The fixture had originally been scheduled for December - when Hermes were entitled to field their Irish players - but a frozen pitch forced its postponement. The club then asked the Leinster branch if they had permission to use the five players in the re-arranged match but were told last week to seek clarification on the matter from Ireland.

This they did, in a letter sent last Wednesday, and late on Saturday night they were told by Ireland that because of the circumstances surrounding the match, namely that it should have been played before Christmas, they would be allowed use their internationals, a sequence of events confirmed by Hermes club captain Roly Burke. "We got word on Saturday night that we could play our internationals, but were then told by Leinster that the game was postponed," she said.

So, the most puzzling aspect of the whole affair is that after passing the decision over to Ireland Leinster then stepped back in and postponed the tie - which both clubs were willing to play - after Ireland had given their verdict.

Whether or not Leinster was aware of Ireland's decision by the time they made their own is not clear because Eithne Coyle, President of the Leinster branch, was unwilling to comment on the matter. If they were then they effectively over-ruled an Irish decision, at least on a temporary basis; if they weren't then there appears to be a problem with the channels of communication between Ireland and one of its branches.

"Due to the air of uncertainty about the availability of Irish players and the fact that the girls had two hard games and had to travel on Saturday (for their Irish Senior Cup ties) we decided we would postpone the game - the matter will be considered at our next February meeting," was all Coyle was prepared to say on the matter.

There was, however, no uncertainty about the availability of Irish players because Hermes were given permission for them to play, and it has been known since the draw was made on December 12th that both clubs would be playing Irish Senior Cup matches in Ulster on Saturday.

Interestingly, Irish coach Riet Kuper, the one person whose opinion should, perhaps, count most on the issue, confirmed yesterday that she has no objection to her players playing club hockey on weekends when they are free from international duty.

"If we had the luxury of having full-time international players then there would be no discussion - they would not play for their clubs in the build-up to a major tournament. But we don't have that luxury so it is much better for a player to play for her club than to sit at home. As national coach that is my point of view but I do not want to enter the politics of the controversy."

The whole business added a slightly farcical end to what had been a good weekend for Hermes, who beat Victorians 3-0 in Saturday's Sharwoods Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals, and a desperately disappointing one for Old Alexandra who lost 2-1 away to Ballymoney.

Second half goals from Carol Devine, Caitriona Carey and Daphne Sixsmith gave Hermes a comfortable win away to their Ulster opponents but, after going two goals down, Alexandra failed to cap a second-half fight-back by levelling the match. Ballymoney goalkeeper Angela Platt saved a penalty stroke from Trish Conway before Fiona Sweeney scored what proved to be merely a consolation goal eight minutes from time.

A hat-trick from Claire McMahon gave Pegasus a 3-1 win over Portadown but Harlequins and Pembroke Wanderers must meet again next Saturday after drawing their quarter-final 1-1 in Cork - Nicky Fuller gave the Dublin side the lead but Karen O'Brien equalised in the second half and extra time failed to produce a winner.