Muller hoping big hitters will turn on style

IRELAND senior women’s hockey coach Gene Muller is hoping his players will give him plenty of food for thought in this weekend’s three-game series against Canada at Belfield.

Guy Garrett took the coaching reins as Muller watched a number of his fringe players in action for Ireland A against the same opposition earlier this week, recording a 2-0 win and a 2-2 draw.

But the majority of Muller’s heavy hitters are in action this weekend, bar Munster’s Eimear Cregan and Hollie Moffett, who are sidelined by foot and facial injuries respectively.

Domestically, the second round of the Irish Junior Cup gets underway tomorrow, with Cork Church of Ireland already many people’s favourites for the men’s title, having already seen off big hitters Annadale and Cork Harlequins.

They travel to Dubliners Weston this time around, while Cookstown’s clash with Lisnagarvey at Coolnafranky is the pick of the remaining ties.

In the women’s competition, Cork Harlequins face the daunting task of attempting to down Pegasus in Belfast, while C of I meet Ashton, 3-0 winners over Clontarf in round one, on Sunday.

It’s a big weekend for the Blackrock Road outfit as their firsts head north to meet Ulster Elks in the quarter-finals of the Irish Trophy, while Catholic Institute travel to Three Rock Ladies in the same tournament. There is the added reward of an Irish Senior Cup berth for the victors of both ties.

In Munster, C of I can draw level with Quins at the summit of the women’s league if they win their game in hand against Bandon.

UCC will be hoping to stay in touch as they host Belvedere, with club captain Sarah Gray poised to make a comeback after a four-month injury layoff.

The men’s league sees Catholic Institute host the might of Quins, a perfect warm-up for the Limerick club’s Irish Senior Cup tie at Leinster powerhouses Glenanne next weekend.

Bandon will be determined to stem the flow of penalty corners that undid them in an 8-0 defeat to C of I earlier this term when they host the leaders on Sunday.

At the other end of the table, UCC will be determined to put some daylight between themselves and basement side Quins B, having lost to them twice before Christmas.