Cork C of I odds-on to retain Munster League crown

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND are odds-on favourites to retain their men’s Munster Senior League title tonight, as they welcome Cork Harlequins B to Garryduff (6.30pm).

C of I need just a point to take their first piece of silverware this season, which will come as welcome relief as they have already ceded their Munster Senior Cup to Quins and are out of contention in the Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League.

Meanwhile, Pembroke Wanderers will hope to put home advantage to good use when Europe’s second-biggest club tournament, the EuroHockey Club Trophy, comes to Serpentine Avenue for Easter weekend.

They will be hoping to replicate Glenanne’s heroics in this competition last year, and are bang in form after their spectacular 5-1 demolition of Annadale last weekend.

That result prompted Annadale coach Andy Smyth to eulogise them as “one of the best club sides we’ve ever played against”.

Should they take the trophy and Three Rock Rovers perform some heroics in the EuroHockey League later this month, it may help give Ireland a second EHL slot.

Meanwhile, the Munster women’s title play-off between UCC and Cork Harlequins has been fixed for Harlequin Park on Sunday, April 26.

The students ceded home advantage after losing the toss, but will be hoping for a repeat of their 4-3 at the ground earlier this week, which left the sides level at the summit.

Ireland’s senior women’s international side also go into action twice against England this weekend, with Eimear Cregan back to skipper the side. Armagh’s Rachel Mulligan has been called in to replace the injured Lisa Jacob.

Elsewhere, the Irish Hockey Association has confirmed that the rescheduled men’s U-21 interprovincial tournament will take place over a single day on Sunday at Grange Road. The auto-pass rule will be used, but games will be just 30 minutes each way.