Back to business as Bandon bid to rock Rovers

THE hockey season kicks back into gear tomorrow with the Irish Senior Cup looming into view for most clubs, after an enforced month-long absence.

The majority of squads have not seen any action since mid-December, with most pitches rendered frozen write-offs by the extreme weather, a scenario which increases the potential for shocks in the cup’s opening round.

Bandon are a side that relish the challenge of taking the big boys down a peg or two, and usually raise their game accordingly.

Such an attitude took them to an ISC semi-final five years ago, and they will look to evoke those memories as they travel to Three Rock Rovers.

The Dublin outfit’s star has fallen somewhat since the heights of a stellar 2007/08 season, as a number of foreign imports settle in to replace departed home-grown talent in Phelie Maguire, Andy McConnell and Mitch Darling.

For their part, Bandon were on fire before Christmas – hitting 13 goals in games against Catholic Institute and UCC – but they will know Rovers remain a tougher proposition.

Cork Harlequins are also Dublin-bound to visit YMCA. Both sides have been inconsistent this term; Quins almost left C of I with their pants down in the league, but then shipped seven to local rivals in a Peard Cup semi-final at Harlequin Park.

YM possess a top-class keeper in Iain Walker and a lethal finisher in Jacob Webber, but have claimed just 16 points from 11 league outings.

C of I will be confident of advancing as they welcome Clontarf to Garryduff. The newly-promoted Bulls have struggled to adapt to the pace of Leinster’s top tier, and are six points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Elsewhere, champions Pembroke Wanderers get their campaign underway with a home tie against Bangor, Banbridge will be favoured to see off North Down and Monkstown should edge a Dublin derby with UCD.

It’s also an important weekend for Catholic Institute, who welcome Belfast Harlequins to Rosbrien in the last eight of the Irish Hockey Trophy.

There’s a single league fixture down for decision in both Munster and Leinster; UCC visit C of I B, with Fingal hosting Glenanne.

The women’s Irish Senior Cup is already at the semi-final stage, with Railway Union’s visit to Pegasus looking the tastier of the encounters. Railway amazingly still boast a 100% record in all competitions, but the challenges don’t come any greater than taking on Irish hockey’s cup specialists in their Belfast back yard.

The all-Dublin affair of the other tie pits holders UCD – who bridged a 58-year gap by taking the trophy last term – against Loreto.

It could be a pivotal weekend in the increasingly competitive Munster women’s league. Catholic Institute have set the pace thus far, but face their first real test of the season as they lock horns with UCC. With the Mardyke still out of commission, that tie will go ahead at Mount Mercy, though the Cork students have been buoyed by the recent news that their stricken pitch is to be replaced with a full water-based surface, just the second of its kind to be installed in the province.

Elsewhere, Bandon head to C of I badly in need of some points, and the hosts will be mindful that a slip-up against the same opposition cost them automatic Irish Hockey League qualification last term.

Basement side UL are unlikely to pose many problems for champions Cork Harlequins, while Waterford will be keen to down Ashton in an intriguing mid-table battle.