International stars set to return for Harlequins

Following the cancellation of the Irish women’s series against Scotland in midweek, Cork Harlequins hope to have a quintet of internationals back for the visit of Hermes-Monkstown in the EY Hockey League.

The Dubliners were finalists last year but a glut of departures — including Nikki Evans, Anna O’Flanagan and Chloe Watkins to pro teams in Europe — has seen them fall to the bottom of the table.

They are, however, an improved outfit from the first half of the season with South African Natalie Esteves giving them a corner threat while Sinead Loughran should be back after injury.