Weather eye on cup

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: All four clubs in the semi-finals of the ESB Irish Senior Cup will have a nervous eye on the forecast for tomorrow, particularly Old Alexandra's hosts Ballymoney, where the wintry conditions set in earlier in the week and haven't abated.

With the international players, who are all available to their clubs for the cup games this weekend, heading to South Africa next week for a training camp and four-nations tournament, all concerned will be doubly anxious that neither game is postponed tomorrow.

Two intriguing ties they are as well, with Church of Ireland attempting to shock Hermes at Garryduff, just as they upset All-Ireland champions Pegasus in the last round. The Munster side will be aiming to reach their first final; in contrast, Hermes, the cup holders, will be seeking their seventh final appearance in just 10 years.

Hermes, though, insist they will not be underestimating C of I, as Pegasus might have done, and sent two of their players to watch them in the Munster Cup against Harlequins a fortnight ago. Internationals Linda Caulfield, Caitriona Carey, Kristin Farrell and Fiona Connery are all available.

Ballymoney will also have their Irish players, Angela Platt and Bridget McKeever, back.

Beaten finalists last year, Ballymoney won the cup on their first appearance in a final, back in 2001 when they beat Pegasus on strokes. Alexandra have to go back to 1998 for the last time they reached the final, but it is 15 years since they won the competition.

IRISH SENIOR CUP - Semi-finals - Saturday: Ballymoney v Old Alexandra, Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30; Church of Ireland v Hermes, Garryduff, 2.0.

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One - Saturday: UCD v Loreto, Belfield, 2.15; Pembroke Wanderers v Trinity, Ballsbridge, 3.30; Railway Union v Corinthian, Sandymount, 3.30. Division Two - Saturday: Loreto III v Pembroke Wanderers II, Beaufort, 1.30; Genesis v Loreto II, Belfield, 4.0; Diocesan v Glenanne, Rathgar, 4.15. Sunday: Old Alexandra II v Corinthian II, Milltown, 3.15.