Harlequins set sights on cup

It was with some relief that Harlequins' Irish international Rachel Kohler greeted the first-round draw for the Sharwood's-sponsored Irish Senior Cup. A year ago the Cork team faced a marathon journey to Belfast when they were drawn against Pegasus in the second round - by her own admission the team froze, their 4-0 defeat bringing an early end to their interest in the competition. Tomorrow they will be on home ground at Farmers Cross where they play Trinity for a place in the second round. "Harlequins are really concentrating this year on the Irish Senior Cup - that's the priority," says Kohler. "Of course it depends on who we meet along the way but we're really hoping for a good run. We've been playing well and scoring a lot of goals."

For Trinity it has been a season of mixed fortunes, losing five of their opening six league fixtures despite some superb displays of attacking hockey. However their victory over UCC in the varsities' final a fortnight ago may give their season the kickstart it desperately needs. "We'll have every respect for them," insists Kohler.

UCC must put recent disappointments behind them - they were beaten by Harlequins in the league and then lost the varsities' decider to Trinity in extra-time - when they take on Railway Union at the Mardyke. Cork Church of Ireland tackle Old Alexandra in Dublin while Glenanne go west to play Greenfields at Dangan.

Ulster's top two have both been drawn away - Randalstown play UCG at Dangan while Pegasus travel to Limerick to play Catholic Institute. Pembroke Wanderers face a difficult trip north to meet an Ards team still smarting from a 5-0 league defeat by Pegasus.

Cup holders Hermes, Loreto, Coleraine, Belvedere, Collegians, Portadown, Muckross and Yeats County received byes into the second round, leaving 14 teams battling it out across the country tomorrow for the right to join them in the draw (which takes place on RTE Radio 1 on Sunday afternoon).

Denmark have taken the place of Greece in Ireland's pool for the European Nations Cup qualifying tournament in Helsinki next year. The group is completed by Wales and Belarus, with the second pool made up of France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and hosts Finland.