AFTER being crowned interprovincial champions last Sunday, courtesy of a remarkable 6-0 victory over Ulster, the task, for most Leinster players this week was to reduce the distance between their feet and the ground as they prepared for tomorrow's Leinster Senior Cup second round ties.
Muckross captain Teresa Hurley was one of the stars for her province at Grange Road. "It was great to be part of it. We just played nice hockey built around a passing game and there were a lot of great performances from individuals, as well as the team as a whole," said the former international, whose Muckross team face Aer Lingus in the cup tomorrow.
"I suppose it's `back down to earth' for the players this weekend but it's up to all the individuals to lift themselves. We have to keep our standards up to the same level as if we were playing Loreto or any other senior team. We don't know a lot about Aer Lingus but cup matches are always difficult and are very hard to predict," added Hurley.
A lack of familiarity with their opponents won't be a problem for Hermes tomorrow as they line out against ... the Hermes second team, the current second division leaders. It was the kind of cup draw that can create sleepless nights for a club's coaching staff as they picture headlines of the `Seconds thrash Firsts in Cup shocker variety. Only a couple of seasons ago Railway Union's second team created just such embarrassment at Park Avenue when they had the audacity to beat their first team in a similar tie.
If tomorrow's clash demonstrates anything it will be the impressive strength in depth of the Belfield based club, particularly in the goalkeeping department. Most clubs in Ireland would be more than happy to have either Connacht's Tara Browne, the Irish reserve goalkeeper, or Leinster's Sara Hilliard on their playing staff - Hermes have both.
Connacht and Loreto coach Noel Keogh described Browne as "probably the best goalkeeper in Ireland" after her display in Hermes' 1-0 victory over Loreto a fortnight ago. "I'd certainly rather have her with me than against me," was the coach's rueful response to that performance by Browne.
Meanwhile, in one of six first v second division ties tomorrow, UCD take on Old Alexandra at Whitechurch. The students, currently joint third in the second division, will be without both their captain Johanna Phelan and sweeper Aoife Byrne, denting their hopes of creating an upset.
