Dublin to host under-21s

HOCKEY/Women's News: The Irish Hockey Association's application to host next July's under-21 women's European Championships (A division) has proved successful - the European Hockey Federation yesterday named Dublin as the venue for the eight-team tournament.

Ireland, who won promotion from the B division in Prague in August, have been drawn in a pool with Holland, Scotland and Spain, while England, Germany, Belarus and France make up the other group. The Irish under-21 men's team, who must travel to Belgium for their event, will compete against Holland, England and Scotland in the pool stage - Germany, Spain, Belgium and Poland complete the tournament line-up.

It's a busy weekend for Irish hockey off the pitch, with the launch of the IHA's Strategic Plan in Dublin and a national coaching and umpiring seminar also taking place, the latter resulting in this being a particularly quiet weekend in playing terms.

There is just one Leinster League fixture, on Sunday, but it's a significant one - the top two from last season, Hermes and Old Alexandra, meet at Milltown (4.30). A win for Alexandra would see them go top of the table, with four wins out of four, while a Hermes victory would put them level on points with current leaders Loreto.

In Ulster, Randalstown, the league's early-season leaders with five wins out of five, have suffered a setback with the news midfielder Louise Burns is likely to miss the rest of the campaign after severing nerves in her hand in an accident at home.

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Sunday - Division One: Old Alexandra v Hermes, Milltown, 4.30.

MAY COSTLEY CUP - First round draw: Carlow v Dungarvan, Enniscorthy II v Athlone, Moyne-Thurles v Wexford II, Mullingar v Malone, Weston v Gorey. Ties to be played November 8th. Fermoy, Mallow and Kilkenny II have a bye in to the second round.