The line-up for the all-Ireland Club Championship quarter-finals (April 28th and May 5th) is now complete after Ulster and Leinster concluded their first-division campaigns in midweek. Bally money produced the surprise result, beating Portadown to clinch third in Ulster and a quarter-final place against Leinster champions Hermes, who suffered only their second defeat of the league campaign on Wednesday, at the hands of Pembroke Wanderers.

"We're absolutely delighted," said Ballymoney player-coach Lynsey McVicker who has already led her team to the Irish Senior Cup final (April 21st). "Reaching the play-offs is a fantastic achievement for the club, especially considering it's only our third season in Section One."

Portadown, who had already secured second place in Ulster before playing Ballymoney, will meet Leinster runners-up Loreto in the quarter-finals while Old Alexandra have been paired with Munster champions Harlequins.

There was bitter disappointment for the University of Limerick this week when they made the decision to withdraw from the preliminary all-Ireland game against NUIG (scheduled for April 21st) because of exam pressures. Bandon, who finished third in Munster, are now unable to take Limerick's place for similar reasons, which means NUIG have been given a walkover and will play Pegasus over two legs in the quarter-finals.

"It was an agonising decision because we had worked so hard to finish second but we really had no choice in the end," said Limerick coach Catherine Bird. "The delay caused by the foot-and-mouth crisis just made the league finals too late for us because we have so many players doing their finals."

Meanwhile Ireland now know the identity of all 16 teams in September's World Cup qualifier in France. Following their top four finishes at the Americas Cup, which was won by Argentina, the USA, Canada and Uruguay join Ireland, Belgium, England, France, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lithuania, Russia, Scotland, Ukraine and Zimbabwe in the line-up.