TWO seasons ago Noel Keogh was probably the busiest coach, in any sport, in the country. The Leinster men's and women's teams, as well as Three Rock Rovers and Loreto, were under his guidance in the course of a hectic campaign.

Last season wasn't exactly a holiday either, but it was a successful one as Keogh coached Three Rock Rovers to the men's senior title and Loreto to runners up spot in the women's first division.

For the new campaign he has relinquished his role with the men's champions, but, for fear of feeling idle, has agreed to take the Connacht women's squad for three training sessions during the season.

That role will not clash with Keogh's work with Loreto who, he hopes, can break the Muckross stranglehold on the Leinster Senior League title. However, don't try telling him that Muckross are a less formidable outfit this season.

"I think the importance of the loss of Sarah Kelleher has been greatly exaggerated. Muckross won the league for the past four seasons and Sarah wasn't there for two of those. They're still excellent without her and are certainly not a one player team. They still have Mary Logue, Orla Bell, Sandra O'Gorman, Clodagh, McMoreland, the list goes on, said Keogh.

Club captain and manager Linda Jenkinson also refuses to believe that the defending champions will be any easier to beat this season, but she does feel that their opponents will push them harder this time round. I think attitudes are changing to Muckross, maybe people don't quite put them up on a pedestal anymore," said Jenkinson.

After two matches Loreto share top spot in the first division with Old Alexandra after victories over Pembroke Wanderers and Maids. They expect to have Emma Walkin back from injury for tomorrow's match against Trinity, a match Jenkinson says should be a real test of the first division newcomers' strengths.

"I'm looking forward to playing them. It will be interesting to see how they play after their three friendlies in Holland during the week - they could be tired or they could be very sharp."

Buoyed by their superb display against Muckross last week, when they were only denied a win by a late Logue equaliser, Hermes have another tough fixture this weekend when they take on Old Alexandra at Whitechurch Park.