THIS weekend the Ireland schoolgirls hope to retain the under 18 and under 16 Home international championships, which they won in Gordonstoun, Scotland last year.

One interesting aspect of the under 18 and under 16 squad is that no school dominates the line up. Mount Anville have two representatives on the under 18 squad and likewise Victoria College in Belfast have two representatives on the under 16 squad.

Other than those two schools no school has more than one pupil on each of the squads. This could be a plus factor as regards the players' performances, as it means that the teams will work as a whole unit rather than a number of groups who are familiar with each other, but which do not gel together.

Meanwhile, the Leinster senior league relegation race has come down to the final series of fixtures. Genesis are in the most vulnerable position, one point behind Clontarf and Maids who had surprise victories last Saturday.

If Genesis lose on Monday night when they meet Loreto they are definitely relegated. However, if they win they will have to wait until Wednesday night when Maids and Clontarf play their final matches to know their fate.