HOCKEY fans in Cork are spoilt for choice this weekend as eight of the country’s top sides do battle on Leeside in round three of the Irish Hockey League.

CORK Harlequins and Church of Ireland both qualified for the quarter-finals of the ESB Irish Senior Women’s Cup after extra-time scares against Loreto and Ards respectively on Saturday, but both landed extremely tough away games in the quarter finals.

THE Cork Church of Ireland women’s team face a long journey north for the second year in a row in this weekend’s ESB Senior Cup, but coach Phil Oakley reckons that the prize of a quarter-final place will be motivation enough for his side.

CORK Harlequins came out on top in their clash with Church of Ireland in the ladies hockey’s Munster Senior Cup on Saturday. A Karen Bateman goal with five minutes to go saw them win 3-2 in a close and physical game.

THE improving form of the Cork Church of Ireland women’s side is perhaps due its biggest test of the season at Garryduff tomorrow when they face the powerful northern outfit Pegasus in the quarter-final of the ESB Senior Cup (hit-off 2 pm).

Uncapped players Louise Henderson, Zanya Dahl, Sinead Dooley and Katherine Elkins have all been named in Ireland’s squad which will begin preparations for the World Cup qualifying competition in Rome next April.

TEENAGE hockey sensation Emma Stewart has been named in the final Irish squad for the European Championships in Dublin in less than two weeks time.

THE two Munster sides in action in the first legs of the qualifying round of the All-Ireland Hockey Club Championships lost on Saturday.

NIGEL BUTTIMER has announced his retirement from international hockey at the age of 28.

Ireland women’s coach Riet Kuper has omitted three experienced internationals from her training squad, which travels to Spain next month, in order to give younger players a chance.

NEW Government rules governing eligibility for rent allowances is causing havoc for the poor and vulnerable, according to a nationwide survey.

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.

IRISH ladies hockey coach Riet Kuper has named a squad of 20 to travel to America next month as preparations intensify ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland from March 19-28.

Five uncapped players have been named in the Irish women’s hockey squad to play three Test matches in the USA next month.