Irish team manager Des Donnelly, said Katie Taylor is focused and ready for first assignment next Monday when she will meet either Queen Underwood (USA) or Natasha Jonas (Great Britain) for a bronze medal.

ORLA RYAN and Pamela Orr were yesterday dropped by Irish ladies hockey coach Riet Kuper, as she announced her squad for the forthcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand from March 19 to 28.

DESPITE the fact that Cork Harlequins have beaten today’s Irish Senior Women’s Cup opponents Knock in the competition for the past two years, coach Ivan Bateman is taking nothing for granted in the third round encounter at Harlequin Park (hit off 1.30pm).