HOCKEY: Young stars grasping chance in Munster's Division 1

As the Munster women’s Division 1 gets younger, it also gets more competitive, as evidenced by the fact that any three of six teams could be relegated following the final round of league games.

A variety of factors have left a number of teams in the top domestic tier stacked with players who have yet to turn 18. EY Hockey League clubs Cork Harlequins and UCC are the destinations of choice for the province’s elite talents, with others such as Hermes’ Irish international Naomi Carroll getting their national league fix with Dublin clubs.

In addition, adult-only clubs Blackrock and Cork Wanderers - who both compete in Division 1B this season - now boast more than 80 members between them, leaving many other clubs with a more youthful look.