Hermes carry favourites’ tag into Irish Senior Cup final

Seven days after helping Ireland to World League success at Belfield, earning the team a spot in June’s Olympic qualifying tournament, four of the players who made major contributions to the winning effort will attempt to make it a most memorable week at the same venue when they turn out for their clubs in Sunday’s Irish Senior Cup final.

Irish captain Megan Frazer, named the World League's player of the tournament, and Shirley McCay will line out for Ulster Elks at Belfield, while international team-mates Aine Connery, who got the winning penalty in the shoot-out that decided the final against Canada, and goalkeeper Emma Gray will represent Leinster champions Hermes.

Elks produced a big surprise in the semi-finals when they ousted 2013 winners Railway Union on penalty strokes, but such has been Hermes’ all conquering form this season the Ulster team will have to upset the odds again if they are to prevail on Sunday.

Rudi Wortmann’s side remain on course to win a quadruple having already collected the Leinster first division title and Jacqui Potter Cup, and reached the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League.

To help the Elks' cause, Stephanie Jameson, the most capped Canadian international of all time who returned to her home country recently after a spell with the club, is planning on flying to Dublin to take part in the game. Hermes will be seeking their first ISC win since 2006, while Elks will be playing in their first ever final.