A PLAYER eligibility issue involving defending Irish Senior Cup champions Pembroke Wanderers threatens to overshadow the Dubliners’ quest to retain the trophy when they lock horns with Cookstown at Belfield on Sunday (1.15).

PEMBROKE WANDERERS were given a stern test by Cork Harlequins in the opening round of the Irish Hockey League at Serpentine Avenue yesterday, but Alan Sothern’s second-half strike gave the hosts a 2-1 win and all three points.

AFTER a season which promised so much for Cork Harlequins, the club finished up with nothing to show from a year’s strenuous endeavour.

The Irish Women's Hockey team drew 0-0 with Azerbaijan today, (2.45pm Irish time), in their final pool match, their third in as many days, at the World Cup Qualifying tournament in Rome.

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).

Ireland 2 China 5

Ireland missed out on a bronze medal at the KT Cup in South Korea after China, ranked fourth in the world, won the third-placed play-off 5-2.

Ireland women’s coach Riet Kuper has handed first call-ups to five players for a three-day Easter training camp.

MUNSTER bridged an eight years gap when winning the ladies senior hockey interprovincial title at Harlequin Park, Cork - drawing with Leinster and taking the honours in fine style against Ulster and Connacht.

MUNSTER revived their hopes of retaining the men’s hockey Interprovincial Championship by beating Ulster at Harlequins Park yesterday but it was Connacht ladies who commanded the spotlight.