Quality at Queen’s as leaders face off

THE semi-final picture should become clearer in the Irish Hockey League as a number of interprovincial rivalries are reprised this weekend.

A slew of current and former internationals will be on show when pace-setters Pegasus and Hermes meet in round three at Queen’s University tomorrow.

Both sides will, however, be missing their drag-flicking Irish international full-backs; Pegs’ Michelle Harvey and Audrey O’Flynn of Hermes are both on the injured list.

Each tie in Pool A this weekend pits sides with the same number of points against each other. It makes current chasers Loreto and UCC’s dust-up key as they anticipate dropped points above them.

The Mardyke side’s main threat comes from Miriam Crowley and Ali O’Regan but Loreto’s quintet of internationals will provide a fearsome task for the students.

Eimear Cregan begins life after her international retirement at Deramore Park, where Catholic Institute visit Belfast Harlequins.

In Pool B, Railway travel north to Ulster leaders Ballymoney buoyed by last year’s win at the same venue.

UCD will hope to bounce back from their midweek league mauling at the hands of Railway when they face Ards at Belfield, aiming to keep up one of three unbeaten records in the pool.

Cork Harlequins, 2010 finalists, host Armagh needing to cause an upset against the side currently occupying second place.

With just a bonus-point win covering first and last, the third series of games in Pool A of the men’s Irish Hockey League has the potential to split the group in two as the current top three attempt to ditch the lower trio.

Surprise leaders Corinthian host Cookstown, with the Tyrone side needing a result after slipping up in their last two home games.

Glenanne travel to Cork C of I — a happy hunting ground in recent years — looking for a first win of a campaign which takes on added significance as this competition is their sole route left back into the EuroHockey League for 2011/12.

However, C of I will hope Glens are vulnerable after their shock Irish Senior Cup exit at the hands of Annadale last weekend. The group is topped off by the Ulster-derby between Lisnagarvey and Annadale.

Pool B is clearer cut with Cork Harlequins and Instonians needing home wins over Leinster visitors YMCA and Pembroke, respectively.

Instonians could hand an IHL debut to Imtiaz Pannu — a Pakistan national team trialist in 2009 — but a third straight win for Pembroke would strengthen their grip on one of the semi-final berths as second plays third in the other game — Monkstown hosting Banbridge.

YMCA’s former C of I hitman Jonny Bruton is one in particular who would relish putting one over on Quins.

Meanwhile, UCC made the longest journey in Irish hockey yesterday, trekking to Donegal for today’s men’s Irish Hockey Trophy second round clash with Raphoe.