Old rivals Quins and Cork C of I set for IHL showdown

THE opening weekend of this season’s women’s ESB Irish Hockey League will have a distinctly local flavour to it on Leeside, where perennial rivals Cork Harlequins and Cork Church of Ireland will lock horns in Pool A tomorrow (Harlequin Park, 2pm).

With three Munster sides qualifying for this season’s competition – C of I emerged from the wildcard playoffs after Quins and UCC took the automatic spots – two of them were always going to be drawn together.

Current form suggests Quins should continue to have the indian sign over their rivals, who they defeated twice last season en route to a 14th straight Munster title. They have recruited well and come into this game in ruthless goalscoring form; Karen Bateman alone has bagged five in her last two outings.