Loreto, Railway to bounce back

Women's Hockey Leinster Senior League: Only a month in to the Leinster first division campaign and all 10 clubs have dropped…

Women's Hockey Leinster Senior League:Only a month in to the Leinster first division campaign and all 10 clubs have dropped points. Railway Union were the latest to relinquish a perfect start to the season when they conceded a last-minute equaliser to Loreto on Monday. Zara Delany rescued a point for the champions.

Loreto will expect to get back to winning ways tomorrow when they play hosts to Corinthian, who have taken just a point from their three games, at Beaufort, while Railway, who have made such a positive start under new coach Mick McKinnon, will be hopeful of retaining their unbeaten record when they play Genesis at Belfield.

The game of the day looks like the meeting of Pembroke Wanderers and Old Alexandra in Ballsbridge. Both clubs are intent on improving on their fourth and third place finishes, respectively, in last season's campaign. Pembroke are now coached by their former South African international Natalie Fulton, who is being assisted by former Glenanne goalkeeper Ian Clarke, and have been boosted by the arrival of Irish international Emer Harte, who has returned from England where she played with premier division club Chelmsford.

Hermes, no less intent on regaining their title from Loreto, should take the points when they play Trinity in Booterstown, while UCD, who have started the season well with draws against Pembroke and Alexandra, will be looking for their first win when they meet Three Rock at Belfield.

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WEEKEND FIXTURES

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Tomorrow - Division One: UCD v Three Rock, Belfield, 1.15; Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra, Ballsbridge, 2.0; Loreto v Corinthian, Beaufort, 2.15; Hermes v Trinity, Booterstown, 2.30; Genesis v Railway Union, Belfield, 2.30. Division Two: Suttonians v Hermes II, Sutton, 11.0; Corinthian II v Bray, Whitechurch, 1.0; Glenanne v Pembroke Wanderers II, Tallaght, 1.30; Clontarf v Old Alexandra II, Clontarf, 2.0; Loreto II v Railway Union II, Beaufort, 3.45.

MUNSTER LEAGUE - Tomorrow - Division One: Cork Harlequins v Univ of Limerick, Farmers Cross, 1.30; Church of Ireland v UCC, Garryduff, 2.0; Catholic Institute v Ashton, Rosbrien, 1.0.

IRISH JUNIOR CUP - First round draw: Belfast Harlequins II v UUJ, Lisnagarvey II v Randalstown II, Ards II v Pegasus II, Newry v Portadown II, Omagh II v Banbridge, Priorians II v Knock II, Annadale v Armagh II, Lurgan II v Parkview, Old Alexandra II v Newbridge, Our Lady's Terenure v Corinthian II, Hermes II v Fingal, Naas v Three Rock II, North Kildare v Loreto II, Weston v Clontarf, Glenanne v Diocesan, Muckross v Genesis II, Skerries v Pembroke Wanderers II, Avoca v Suttonians, UCD II v Railway Union II, Bray v Trinity II, NUIG v Fermoy, Galway v Cork Harlequins II, Waterford v Kilkenny, UCC II v Wexford, Greenfields v Catholic Institute II. Ties to be played November 24th.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times