HOCKEY: A WEEK after they beat Queens 2-0 in Galway to retain their intervarsity title, UCD head to Queens' home patch tomorrow to take on Pegasus in the Irish Hockey League.
After an impressive start to the season, this fixture should be the students’ sternest test so far. The Belfast club, the defending champions, are seeking their third win out of three in the pool.
Having beaten Catholic Institute and Old Alexandra away from home, Pegasus have a two -point advantage over UCD, Hermes and Institute, although the Leinster pair both have a game in hand.
Hermes will attempt to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 league defeat to Railway Union when they play Armagh, while Institute host Alexandra at Rosbrien knowing a win would make this pool a genuine four-way battle for the two semi-final spots.
In Pool B it’s shaping up to be a three-way contest, between Loreto, Ballymoney and Railway, for a top-two placing, although Cork Harlequins can get themselves back into contention if they beat bottom club Lurgan tomorrow.
Railway’s home tie against Ballymoney looks to be the key pool fixture. The Ulster club are three points clear of Railway in second but have played an extra game.
Leaders Loreto, who have recorded wins and added bonus points from their first two games, are away to UCC.
Meanwhile, Carol Metchette has been selected for umpiring duty at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The former Alexandra captain was one of the umpires in last weekend’s Pan American Games final in Mexico where the United States produced a shock 4-2 win over world champions Argentina.
That victory qualified the US for next year’s Olympic Games, leaving Argentina having to go through the qualifier route – where, hopefully, they won’t be drawn in the same tournament as Ireland.
FIXTURES: IHL, Tomorrow – Pool A: Pegasus v UCD, Queens, 6pm; Catholic Institute v Old Alexandra, Rosbrien, 3pm; Hermes v Armagh, St Andrews, 3.pm.
Pool B: Lurgan v Cork Harlequins, Lurgan, 1pm; UCC v Loreto, UCC, 2pm; Railway Union v Ballymoney, Park Avenue, 4pm.
Leinster League: Division One, Tomorrow: Trinity v Glenanne, Milltown, 4pm; Three Rock v Corinthian, Grange Road, 10.45am.
