Ever-improving Ashton look to get off to a flyer

FAST becoming Munster hockey’s answer to Everton — and not just because they wear blue — Ashton are a fine example of how to make the best of their resources.

Coaches George Treacy and Bernie Heffernan have always seen the bigger picture, even when the side couldn’t buy a win a couple of seasons ago.

These days, they have one of the league’s most prolific netfinders in Caroline McCarthy, two of its brightest prospects in Kate Harvey and Shauna Fagan and an assist machine in Karen Stokes.

Unlucky to be edged out for fourth place by Bandon last season after also embarking on three impressive cup runs, they’ve laid down a marker in the summer friendly exchanges, beating the west Cork side 4-0 as well ascomfortably seeing off C of I, who they meet in their first Munster league clash at Garryduff today (12pm).

C of I have once again changed coaches — Phil Smith becomes their third in as many seasons — in a bid to arrest a decline that has seen them go from being title challengers to also-rans in recent years.

Others have been the beneficiaries of the Rochestown outfit’s sterlingproduction line, and this summer is no different, with Amy Kate Trevor and Nicola Kerr moving to UCC and Elisa Buckley heading to Cork Harlequins.

They’ll once again have the league’s youngest squad as a result, though the likes of Amy Roberts and Grace Young will be keen to remind the young guns that winning was a habit not too long ago at Garryduff.

Elsewhere, a new-look Cork Harlequins — with seven new players in tow — will continue their evolution under Stephen Dale with a home tie against University of Limerick, who are determined to be competitive after a harrowing last couple of seasons.

“We’ve had a high turnover of players, with not enough players coming in to bridge the void,” explained UL skipper, 19-year-old Steph Peters. “But we made huge progress in the latter half of last season. So although we’re not completely out of the woods yet, we’re confident that the upward trend can continue.”

Elsewhere, champions Catholic Institute hit the road to take on Bandon.

Ger O’Carroll’s charges haven’t lost in Munster league action since March 2010 and while west Cork has been the graveyard of many teams’ ambitions, ‘Insta’ will expect to come away with three points against a host side weakened somewhat by the departures of Sarah Gray (Trinity), Rachelle Nyhan (UL) and Siobhán Sexton (UCC).

The men’s league gets off to asomewhat low-key start, with Cork C of I and holders Cork Harlequins taking on each other’s second teams, ties which should produce routine victories.

The tie of the weekend is therefore found in Bandon, who host Institute. The Limerick men have Simon Brickenden back in harness after his short sojourn with Quins while new signing Cathal Duggan makes an immediate return to his old club. Bandon have avoided seeing their young guns picked off by the city clubs though, and under new skipper Ian Hosford will be heavily backed to see off last year’s basement outfit.