HOCKEY: On a busy weekend for men’s hockey the second round of the Irish Hockey League and the Irish University Hockey Championships are both taking place this weekend. The clash means that the matches between Hermes and UCD and Railway Union and UCC in the ESB-sponsored women’s league are postponed until November 29.
In key men’s matches today (Sat), both Glenanne and Monkstown have travelled north to take on Instonians and Cookstown respectively. Three Rock Rovers take on Pembroke at home after losing to Glenanne 5-4 last week, while YMCA face Annadale after losing to the Ulster side in the Irish Senior Cup recently.
In the women’s league, Old Alex face Pegasus at Milltown, while Loreto also have home advantage against Lurgan.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Thomond Park in Limerick hosts its first ever rugby league international next Saturday (Nov 5) when a new-look Irish squad face France in this year’s autumn international season. The match is part of Limerick’s campaign to secure a 2013 Rugby League World Cup tie for Thomond Park.
After away loses to both Scotland to Wales in recent weeks, the Irish are hoping that home support will help turn their fortunes. Against Wales last weekend, the Irish defence proved leaky and they lost 30-6, with a last-minute try from Tim Bergin the only consolation. A week earlier, the Irish had lost to Scotland 26-6, when Irish captain Liam Finn was the try scorer. Included in the Irish squad are Joe Taylor of the North Dublin Eagles and Paddy Barcoe of Carlow RL.
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| Scott Evans – not available |
BADMINTON: With Irish No 1 Scott Evans not available and doubles specialist Karen Bing still injured, the Leinster badminton team faces a tough task at the first round of the English Intercounties at Milton Keynes on November 12/13. After winning promotion to the Premier B division two seasons ago, Leinster held on to its place last season. In the first round of matches, Leinster plays newly promoted Derbyshire as well as Surry 2 and Hampshire. Among those lining out for the team is Dan Magee, the newly appointed Irish coach. The teams is playing a friendly match against Ulster this weekend as part of its preparation.
Team – Mark Cobbe, Eddie Cousins, Dan Magee, Owen Marron, Niall Tierney; Claire Flood, Fiona Glennon, Pauline Glennon, Keelin Hogan, Jennie King.
SQUASH: Madeline Perry maintained her recent vein of good form when she reached the final of the Qatar Open in Doha. Perry had beaten newcomer Nour el Tayeb from Egypt in a tough semi-finals, and then lost to world No 1 Nicol David from Malaysia in the final. Next up for Perry is the World Open in Rotterdam, where she is fourth seed and plays her opening round match against England’s Emma Beddoes on Tuesday. Hoping to join her in the main draw is Aisling Blake, who plays in this weekend’s qualification tournament.
TRIATHLON: At the Brownlee Challenge Charity Handicap Duathlon in Dundalk, 150 local athletes turned up to pit themselves against the world triathlon champions, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. With the English brothers starting with a six-minute handicap, the local hot shots knew they had a chance over a course consisting of two 3.2km runs sandwiching a 17km cycle. On the first run, Paul Carroll, off three minutes, took full advantage. Showing how well the handicappers had done their job, Alistair Brownlee still won but his time of 51 minutes 26 seconds put him just 14 seconds ahead of Carroll, with Matt Molloy a close third. Jonny Brownlee finished sixth in the second fastest time overall. First woman was Jennifer Duffy.
VOLLEYBALL: A victory over defending champions Munster Thunder means the UCD men top volleyball’s Premier division table going into the fourth round of matches next weekend. UCD should pick up maximum points against Amber Coast, while Munster Thunder face a crucial match against Ballymum Patriots. In the women’s premier division, Aer Lingus continue to dominate, although Ballymun Patriots managed to take a set off them. Second placed DVC slipped up when they lost to UCD last weekend. Next weekend’s key match sees Aer Lingus facing Santry.
* Congrats to Irish men’s coach Laurent Cauet and former Irish international player Jana Langford of DVC on the safe arrival of their sons this week.
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