We’re only three games in to the EY Hockey League season, but so far, at least, it’s proving healthily competitive, just three of the 10 contenders still with an unbeaten record - and two of them, Pembroke Wanderers and Catholic Institute, not the usual suspects.
The third unbeaten side, defending champions Pegasus, are more familiar with challenging from the off, but their second visit to Dublin in a week should be a testing one, Loreto their opponents this time around.
Last Saturday, the Belfast side was indebted to Emma Quinn and her winner three minutes from time when they took on Railway Union, but next up is a Loreto side buoyed by a 4-1 defeat of Old Alexandra and the return to action of Olympian Hannah Matthews.
Pembroke, meanwhile, host Alexandra at Serpentine Avenue, while Institute take on Munster rivals Cork Harlequins at Farmers Cross. Harlequins are currently joint bottom of the table, level with Muckross on one point.
Muckross are at home to Railway Union, who have a win, a draw and a loss from their opening three games, while UCD, with the same record as Railway, take on a Belfast Harlequins side at Belfield that secured their first points last weekend with a comfortable 3-0 win over Cork Harlequins.
Hockey League - Division One: Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, Farmers' Cross, 12.45; Muckross v Railway Union, Grange Road, 1.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra, Serpentine Avenue, 2.30; UCD v Belfast Harlequins, Belfield, 2.50; Loreto v Pegasus, Beaufort, 2.45.
Irish Senior Cup - First round: Banbridge v Ards, Havelock Park, 1.0; Trinity v Corinthian, Santry Avenue, 2.0; Monkstown v UCC, Rathdown, 2.15; Queens University v Church of Ireland, Malone Playing Fields, 2.30; Ulster Elks v Ballymoney, Jordanstown, 2.30.
