Quins chasing lucky 13 but C of I bid to halt winning streak

THE picture regarding one of the most fascinating women’s title races in Munster should be a lot clearer as champions Cork Harlequins meet pretenders Cork C of I at Garryduff tomorrow (2.30pm).

A mind-boggling series of permutations still exist for both sides with in-form UCC also still in with a shout as the season reaches the business end.

Four games remain to see whether Quins’ 13-year winning streak will finally be broken and a win at Garryduff tomorrow will put their fate firmly in their own hands ahead of their April 7 date with College, while putting C of I out of the reckoning.

But anything less would make things unbearably close, with C of I still needing to travel to Institute and host Bandon. Should there be a tie at the top, a playoff will determine a winner.

For their part, College host basement side Belvedere on Tuesday night, knowing they realistically need maximum points and then beat Quins in their own backyard.

At the other end, Belvedere play the first of three games to avoid the drop as they travel to UL. The Ballincollig girls are three points behind Ashton, who have completed their league campaign — one of the two is likely to face the drop, with Waterford cutting a swathe in Division Two this term.

C of I and Quins also lock horns at Garryduff on Sunday in the men’s league. Having won 2-0 at Harlequin Park, C of I only need to avoid defeat to put one hand on the title. But, since then, Quins have come out on top in the Peard Cup and Munster Senior Cup meetings and three points for them would likely force a play-off.

C of I’s seconds will look to add Cookstown to a list of scalps that includes Annadale, Quins and Glenanne when they make the trek to Tyrone for their Irish Junior Cup semi-final at Coolnafranky. Also on the national stage, Pembroke Wanderers will find out their Irish Senior Cup final opposition as quadruple-chasing Cookstown meet Annadale.

The women’s ISC is also at the semi-final stage, with the odds suggesting the title may once again reside in Ulster. Pegasus, in search of a three-in-a-row, host Ballymoney, who are leaving their Joey Dunlop Centre fortress for the first time in the competition.

The other semi-final is an all-student affair; Ulster Elks and UCD didn’t meet at last October’s inter-varsities, won by the Dubliners, but UCD coach Mary Logue insists she saw enough back then to be well-versed on the star-studded Jordanstown outfit.

It’s also a big weekend for the women of Catholic Institute and Fermoy, who go into battle in the finals of two national competitions. Institute meet the Elks in the Irish Hockey Trophy final on Sunday, while tomorrow Fermoy face YMCA in the Irish Hockey Challenge decider.

Fixtures: Men: Tomorrow: Munster Div 1: Bandon v UCC (Bandon GS, 2.30pm).

Sunday: Cork C of I v Cork Harlequins (Garryduff, 1pm).

Munster Junior Cup semi-final: Cork C of I C vs Cork Harlequins B (Garryduff, 2.30pm)

Women: Tomorrow: Munster Div 1: Cork C of I vs Cork Harlequins (Garryduff, 2.30pm); UL vs Belvedere (UL, 1.15pm).

Div 2: Catholic Institute vs Ashton (Rosbrien, 12.30pm); Cork C of I vs Bandon (Garryduff, 4.15pm)

Sunday: Div 2: Waterford vs Harlequins (Waterford, 1pm).