Draw sets a challenge for Munster clubs
Another top match to look forward to is the meeting of Three Rock Rovers II and Cork Harlequins II in Dublin.
Overall, yesterday’s draw has given some difficult matches to Munster clubs. Bandon face a long trip north to play Raphoe II, while the winners of the Midleton-UCC II match, which takes place at Midleton College tomorrow, (12 noon), will have to travel to play North Down II.
Although they received a home draw, Waterford will still have a tough game against Instonians II. Cork Church of Ireland II will be pleased with their home tie against Kilkeel II while Galway will play Antrim II at Mervue in Galway.
The full first round draw for the Irish Junior Cup, matches to be played November 22 is:
Belfast Harlequins II v Down; Galway v Antrim II; Monkstown II v Glenanne II; Lisnagarvey II v Pembroke Wanderers II; Cork Church of Ireland II v Kilkeel II; Cookstown II v Newry II; SE Wanderers v Railway Union II; Corinthians II v Dublin YMCA II; Bangor II v Parkview; South Antrim II v Suttonians II; Three Rock Rovers II v Cork Harlequins II; Portadown II v Annadale II; Waterford v Instonians II; Raphoe II v Bandon; Kilkenny v Ballynahinch; North Down II v Midleton or UCC II. In the Munster Senior League Division 1 on Saturday, both Cork Harlequins and Cork Church of Ireland should continue their winning streak.
Harlequins, the current leaders with 18 points from six games, travel to play Waterford at Newtown School.
Harlequins’ new coach Stephen Dale is pleased with the way the side has been playing this season. They have already scored 28 goals in the league and Dale, with a full strength squad to select from tomorrow, will be looking for another big win as his side builds up to the top of the table clash with league title holders Cork Church of Ireland at Garryduff in two weeks Church of Ireland are in second place with 12 points from four games. They should make up some ground this weekend as they play UCC at the Mardyke on Saturday and Cork Church of Ireland ‘B’ at Garryduff on Sunday.
Church of Ireland will go into these games on the back of a big 7-2 midweek win over Belvedere at Garryduff.
That defeat for Belvedere was a big blow to the Ballincollig side who had won their previous matches, defeating Bandon 2-1 in the Charity Cup and Cork Church of Ireland ‘B’ 3-2 in the Peard Cup.
On Saturday, Belvedere will again play Cork Church of Ireland ‘B’ in the league and are confident that they can repeat last weekends win.
A win for Belvedere would give them their first league points of the season.
In the remaining division 1 match, Catholic Institute return to Harlequin Park for the second weekend running, this time to play Cork Harlequins ‘B’.
Last Saturday, Catholic Institute suffered a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Harlequins ‘A’.
However, things should be a lot closer tomorrow with the Limerick side expected to return home with something from the game. Meanwhile, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has launched its first official World Ranking System.
The system will determine the pool composition of major FIH and Continental Federation events and their qualifiers.
In future, further comparisons of relative strengths of international active countries will be published at regular intervals, at the end of each set of related events (eg, Olympic Games; World Cups; Champions Trophies and Challenges; Continental championships).
Ireland’s men were not rated in the top 20, but the women’s side were rated at 14.
The top 20 men’s and women’s teams are: Men: 1. Germany, 1928; 2. Netherlands, 1805; 3. Australia, 1800; 4. Korea, 1448; 5. Pakistan, 1390; 6. India, 1224; 7. Argentina, 1068; 8. England, 1008; 9. Spain, 851; 10. Malaysia, 793.
Women: 1. Argentina, 1854; 2. Netherlands, 1778; 3. Australia, 1691; 4. China, 1635; 5. England, 1183; 6. Korea, 1073; 7. Spain, 1058; 8. Germany 1025; 9. New Zealand, 946; 10. United States 738; 14. Ireland 410.
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