Railway Union face high flyers

VERY LITTLE has gone Railway Union's way so far this season. After just seven league games they find themselves 16 points behind leaders Loreto and just two clear of bottom team Glenanne. What they early needed, to raise their spirits, was a kind Irish Senior Cup draw being paired with the mighty Pegasus was not quite what the doctor ordered.

"I think `dismay' is the word to describe how we felt when we heard the draw," says Railway Union captain Helen Johnson who leads her team into tomorrow's match against the cup holders in Sandymount. "We were disappointed at first but a draw like that certainly gets the adrenalin going," she added.

Pegasus are expected to include as many as five current Irish internationals in their line up tomorrow Laura Brown, Claire McMahon, Claire Samways Arlene Thompson and the Irish captain Jeanette Turner.

The tie of the round could prove to be the meeting of Muckross, last season's beaten finalists, and Ards at Rathdown School. The Ulster team were unlucky to go out to Hermes in last year's competition but they should test a Muckross side that has conceded six goals in their six league games.

Meanwhile Hermes travel north to take on Portadown without their former international Fiona Manning, who has work commitments.

Two Ulster teams, Victorians and Randalstown, face long trips south to take on Munster's Ashton and Catholic Institute, while North Down face Pembroke Wanderers in Ballsbridge. There is one all Munster clash, between Harlequins and Cork Church of Ireland, and UCC host Clontarf at the Mardyke.