Muller calls up Under-18s

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:GENE MULLER has named a 32-player panel, which covers both the Ireland senior and A teams, for next month's five games against Canada in Dublin. Among those called up to a youthful squad are two members of Mary Logue's under-18 panel, Chloe Watkins and Niamh Atcheler of St Andrew's and Hermes.

The A team will open the series at Belfield with two matches against Canada (January 12th and 13th), before the senior side take on the visitors in the last three games. Muller will then trim his A and senior squads, the latter facing a busy 2009 with both the Champions Challenge II and the European Championships figuring.

On the club front, Leinster First Division leaders Railway Union will look to retain their unbeaten league record when they take on defending champions Hermes at Park Avenue tomorrow. Defeat for Hermes, who beat Bray 1-0 on Monday night, would leave them 10 points adrift of Railway, but if Colin Stewart's side can avenge their opening day defeat by the leaders their hopes of retaining their title would be revived.

Second-placed Loreto, six points behind Railway, play Pembroke Wanderers at Beaufort.

IRELAND SQUAD: R Mulligan (Armagh), M Frazer, L Barr, B McKeever (all Ballymoney), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), M Goode (Bray), M Ryan (Church of Ireland), C O'Brien (Chelmsford), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), N Evans, N Atcheler, E Gray, C Watkins, A O'Flanagan (all Hermes), Z Delaney, N Symmons, N Small, L Healy, L Colvin, C McKean (all Loreto), A Speers, M Harvey (both Pegasus), H Stevenson (Railway Union), K Elkin (Randalstown), J O'Halloran, H Moffett, A O'Flynn (all UCC), R Flinn, L McInerney, L Jacob (all UCD), S McCay, E Clarke (Ulster Elks).

Leinster League: Division One: Loreto v Pembroke Wanderers, Beaufort, 11.45; Railway Union v Hermes, Park Avenue, 3pm

Munster League: Division One: Ashton v Catholic Institute, Ashton, 12.30; Cork Harlequins v Bandon, Harlequin Park, noon; UCC v Church of Ireland, UCC, 1pm.