Hook Hockey

Loreto and Hermes open women’s division one with bang; all the runners and rider for 11/12

A summer of big name transfers means four sides can lay very clear claims for the Leinster league title. The great imponderable at the moment, though, remains how much access they will have to their international players and what games they will be available for.

A missive earlier in the summer suggested that CPP players were likely to be available solely for five or six games in the provincial league. However, subsequent consultation with the respective coaches could see a change in this, with a suggestion that even players could train with their local clubs one night a week. Final sign-off on such a plan has yet to be ratified as yet, though.

One certainty is that the European championship players will not be around for Saturday’s season openers between Loreto and Hermes and the tie between Old Alex and Railway, ruling out 14 of the Euro setup across the teams as they are on ‘active rest’ until October 8.

For the former tie, Louisa Healy and Mary Goode – the top goalkeeping Euro duo – could possibly be in opposition a Beaufort, the former back in training, the latter switching from Suttonians.

Lizzie Colvin, now returned from HGC in Holland, is one of the 14 on the sidelines, rejoining Loreto, while Miriam Crowley has taken a year out from her UCC course to centralise with Hermes.

It keeps the Booterstown club’s international tally of CPP players at six as Anna O’Flanagan is part of a huge influx to UCD, Johnny Harte’s Belfielders picking up 14 players in the close season, and they should join last year’s top three as contenders.

Among them are a myriad of underage international players, making it a scramble for places. Gillian Pinder, though, will not be part of the roster despite spending preseason with the club. A rechecked exam saw her upgrade her CAO points total and is now en route to Trinity. She is likely to remain with Hermes as a result.

Railway have lost Jeamie Deacon to UCD but regained Kate McKenna while Zara Delany is in flying form as she begins a season in full fitness for the first time in two years.

For their tie with Alex, the visitors to Park Avenue have lost five players but gained five, too, with Emma Russell adding to a particularly youthful front line.

Bray’s withdrawal, meanwhile, means there are just three ties this weekend, their game with Pembroke called off while UCD and Trinity get their annual year’s grace.

Corinthian play Glenanne in the day’s other game with both hoping to push on up the table. The Glens have a big boost in the form of Catherine Murray who is reunited with former coach Dean Maguire from her UCD days back in 2003, the former international switching from Bray.

** For fuller previews of each side, check out The Hook’s club-by-club preview

- Corinthian will look to build on the positives from Colm Blennerhassett’s time in charge
- Glenanne have added international quality in the form of Catherine Murray
- Reigning champions Hermes balance their CPP books
- Loreto see two big stars back around Beaufort
- Youthful Old Alex look to maintain goalscoring touch
- Blank slate for Justin Sherriff’s Pembroke
- Railway Union ready to get back in winner’s enclosure
- Three Rock Ladies take on division one at short notice
- Life after David Bane for Trinity
- Lucky 13 move to UCD for new season

Women’s Leinster Division One: Loreto v Hermes, 1pm, Beaufort; Railway Union v Old Alex, 1pm, Park Avenue; Corinthian v Glenanne, 4.15pm, Whitechurch Park.