Harlequins and UCC need wins to make League last four

Hockey: Cork Harlequins and UCC both require victories over Leinster opposition tomorrow to keep alive their slim hopes of making the last four of the Irish Hockey League.

Munster kingpins Quins host Loretoand have been boosted by the recent return of forward Orlagh Cotter and a fine Irish Senior Cup win over Pegasus, but much will depend on how much influence their taliswomen Cliodhna Sargent, Yvonne O’Byrne, Karen Bateman and Rachael Kohler can exert.

All the sides in Pool B were handed a reprieve when runaway leaders UCD were docked four points for fielding an unregistered player, leaving just five points separating five sides and with two rounds to go and a pair of semi-final berths up for grabs.

UCC have a bigger mountain to climb with Leinster title contenders Railway Union the visitors to the Mardyke, reuniting Julia O’Halloran with her alma mater. College’s Ailbhe Coyle should be able to provide her team-mates with some insight on their Dublin opponents having spent most of her career with Trinity and Old Alex.

Hermes and Pegasus lead the way in Pool A, six points above UCC, and should they record wins over Ballymoney and Lurgan respectively, College’s fate could be out of their own hands regardless of how they fare.

On the men’s side, Munster representatives Cork C of I and UCC are both out of semi-final contention. C of I will nonetheless be keen to put one over a UCD side much weakened from previous seasons, having lost at Belfield last year. College host Pool B leaders Monkstown, who know a bonus-point win could put them into the semi-finals.

Provincially, fourth-placed Bandon are almost in the last-chance saloon in terms of Irish Hockey League qualification having gone down 3-2 to UCC last weekend.

Denis Pritchard’s men may again bank on long overheads to use their pace and get in behind Quins, who will look to hold as much possession as possible, minimise risk and play the game on their terms.

Ashton’s clash with Bandon in the women’s Division 1 should help determine whether either side has the ability to make a late charge for the Irish Hockey League places, the latter having the edge after winning their early-season encounter 2-0.

In the Division 1 Challenge, Cashel/New Inn have an instant chance to avenge last weekend’s Munster Senior Cup defeat to Limerick as they host them at Rockwell College, while Fermoy and Tipperary meet with both feeling three points is a realistic target.