IT IS semi final weekend in the Sharwoods sponsored Irish Senior Hockey Cup. South and North line up against each other again ink Dublin in the form of Muckross v North Down and Hermes v Pegasus.
Hermes are up against Ulster's top side, Pegasus, so they have a very tough game ahead of them. However, Joan Morgan, the Hermes coach, is hopeful that even though we are the underdogs, home advantage will prove to be vitally important."
Hermes have no injury worries and are keen to avenge their defeat by Pegasus in this round last year. An upset may be on the cards.
Muckross are strong favourites in the other tie. North Down are struggling in the Ulster league and given the fact that they are travelling and playing one of the best teams in Ireland, it is difficult to see them progressing to the final.
The interprovincial matches which were postponed last weekend due to the severe weather have been re scheduled for Dublin on February 17th, at Grange Road and St Columba's College. Ulster and Connacht have two matches to play while Munster and Leinster only have one. In view of the fact that the title will be decided by the final game between Ulster and Leinster, it would appear that Leinster have the upper hand.
Meanwhile, the Irish squad for the centenary internationals against England at Belfield on March 9th and 10th has been announced. The strength of the Ulster team is reflected in the composition of the squad, with Ii players in the 23 woman panel, while Leinster have six, Munster have four, and Connacht two.
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