Veteran duo Kohler and Bateman take on key role for Quins

Cork Harlequins hope Rachael Kohler and Karen Bateman can continue to defy Father Time as they face a make-or-break Irish Hockey League clash with Ards at Farmer’s Cross tomorrow (1.30pm).

Both players are well into the veteran stage but such has been their impact since returning to Stephen Dale’s lineup this year, Ireland coach Darren Smith has been among their admirers.

Bateman and Kohler both had decorated Irish international careers in the 1990s and early 2000s but stepped away from the game as family commitments took over.

Their return to Quins colours this year was supposed to be limited to second-team action, but the duo remain as skilful as ever and their remarkable fitness levels have seen them become key first-team players once again.

They proved they can still dictate games at national level, impressing Smith during the IHL clash with Loreto in Dublin last Saturday before playing major roles in Quins’ Irish Junior Cup win over Cork C of I some 24 hours later.

Quins led Loreto 2-0 but went on to lose 4-2, the departure of Irish international defender Cliodhna Sargent through injury a major factor. She is hopeful of playing more than half the game this time out while they will also have Ireland U18 schemer Abby Oakes, Alex O’Grady and Katie O’Neill available after all three Leaving Cert students missed the trip to Dublin with study commitments.

Tomorrow’s opponents Ards are easily Ireland’s most-improved side, dominating the indoor scene and reaching an Irish Senior Cup semi-final last year, and are favourites to top Pool A. In Pool B, Catholic Institute will have to take some big steps up if they are to challenge Irish Senior Cup holders UCD at Rosbrien.

Damage limitation is the priority for Cork Harlequins men as they hit the road again to face Cookstown, hoping to avoid a repeat of the 11-0 thumping at the hands of Three Rock Rovers in round one. The same goes for Cork Church of Ireland, who will be keen to recover from a 7-2 loss in Banbridge when they travel to Corinthian.

Elsewhere the hunt for national silverware continues for Bandon’s men (home to North Down) and Cork C of I’s women (away to Rathgar) in the quarter-finals of the Irish Hockey Trophy.