Loreto to provide stiff challenge for Old rivals

Old Alexandra came within a minute of beating Muckross in the second round of matches in the Statoil Leinster League, only to be denied by a late Sarah Scott equaliser - this weekend they will hope to go one better against Loreto, another of the main challengers for the Senior A title.

Alex captain Susan Keogh is more than happy with the team's form so far this season under new coach David Judge. "It's working out extremely well with David, we're really enjoying our hockey at the moment.

"We're looking forward to Loreto, it's always a really gusty match. They're a hard team to play, especially with their corners - Mary Barnwell and Dearbhla O'Carroll are a big threat so we'll be looking out for that but we're very prepared, we're ready for it. Loreto always raise their standards, especially when they're playing us.

"Our squad has been strengthened a lot this season by the addition of Tracey Skoyles at sweeper, who's been a huge asset, and Clare Smith from Railway Union. We also have Anna Ancher to strengthen us up front," says Keogh of the Tasmanian player who has joined the club for a year. "She's an asset as well up front - she's very young, she's just coming out of under-21 hockey but she really adds something to the squad."

Trish Conway, the Old Alexandra forward, is Leinster's leading scorer this season, with seven goals in four games, and Keogh is hopeful that her team-mate's form will secure her a place in the international squad next year. "Trish has a tremendous hunger for scoring goals, even in practice. She's a fine player - we all thought she was very unlucky not to make it to Zimbabwe but hopefully this year she'll get her chance. She works so hard, she deserves it."

Meanwhile Muckross have learned that they will not, after all, be hosting the A Division of the European Club Championships next year. The All-Ireland champions had accepted the European Hockey Union's invitation to host the event, which they accepted, only to have the offer withdrawn after the Ukraine, belatedly, agreed to stage the event.