Game-by-game guide to the IHL

Men’s Pool A

Instonians vs Cookstown (Shaw’s Bridge, Saturday, 5.30pm)

Inst remedied a wretched start to the season in Ulster with a 4-1 win over Mossley last weekend, but whether they have shaken off the shock of losing 5-0 to Lisnagarvey a fortnight ago remains to be seen. Their talismanic drag-flicker Mark Gleghorne is still recovering from shoulder surgery, while Ulster champions Cookstown are brimming with confidence after two wins from two and a slew of international call-ups. We’re backing them to pick up an invaluable win on the road here. Verdict: Cookstown

Pembroke's Conor Harte, who broke his collarbone in this tackle against Fingal last season, is back to face his old club, Cork Harlequins. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Pembroke Wanderers vs Cork Harlequins (Serpentine Avenue, Saturday, 5pm)

Off-field distractions surrounding their decision to snub the Neville Cup in lieu of playing a pre-season tournament in England meant the new term didn’t get off to the best of starts for Pembroke. They once again failed to put away Three Rock in their first league outing, but Alan Sothern and Conor Harte – who along with twin brother David will be facing his former club on Saturday – picked up doubles in a 5-1 defeat of YMCA last weekend. They will be given a stern examination by Quins, but should still have too much firepower for the Cork outfit, who come into the game off a 2-0 loss to C of I and are without hitman Richard Gash. It’s also sure to be a special occasion for Pembroke president Frank Gormley, father of Irish captain Ronan, who is a former president of Quins. Verdict: Pembroke Wanderers

Annadale vs Glenanne (Jordanstown, Sunday, 2.30pm)

These two contested a rollercoaster of an Irish Senior Cup final two seasons ago, with Glens eventually running out 4-3 winners, but have since fallen somewhat off the pace. Both have experienced unremarkable starts to their domestic campaigns this term, though Annadale can point to the fact that they have had to face down Cookstown (4-2 defeat) and Banbridge (2-2) so far. There’s no excuse for Glens however, who will be particularly concerned at the defensive frailties that have seen them leak seven goals in three games.They have had to come from behind in all three of their games against Leinster’s lesser lights Kilkenny, Railway Union and Corinthians. But the firepower provided by Graham Shaw, Eddie O’Malley and Stephen Butler usually gets them out of a hole, and we’re backing them to pile on the misery for the ‘Dale. Verdict: Glenanne

Mitch Darling, seen here celebrating one of his five goals in the Club Championships semi-final against Lisnagarvey last season, will be vital to Three Rock's hopes. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Men’s Pool B

Three Rock Rovers vs Monkstown (Grange Road, Saturday, 3.30pm)

The first round of the IHL will provide welcome experience of continental rules for Three Rock ahead of their EHL assignment in Lille at the end of the month, and Turloch O’Siocháin’s side will be confident of an opening day win on home turf. Most coaches would gladly cut off a limb for the forward duo of Mitch Darling and Peter Blakeney, but Three Rock’s attacking riches will hold no fears for Monkstown keeper David Fitzgerald. He was the Glenageary side’s hero when they ousted their Dublin rivals from the Irish Senior Cup last term, thwarting 18 short corners and two Peter McConnell penalty strokes in the process. However, the lack of a specialist drag-flicker continues to hinder Monkstown, and revenge should be motive enough for Three Rock to take the points. Verdict: Three Rock 

Banbridge vs Lisnagarvey (Havelock Park, Saturday, 7pm)

It may be a brand new league, but there’s nothing new about this ongoing Ulster rivalry. Bann are handful for any side on home turf, and in Eugene Magee boast one of the true world-class Irish players in their ranks. But they are far from a one man show, with their XI backboned by a trio of McCandless brothers, while Magee’s international colleague Geoff McCabe marshals the midfield. Young Stephen Dowds is their one to watch, having top-scored at the EuroHockey U16 Youth Nations championships during the summer. Garvey are proving as unpredictable as ever this term, following up a 5-0 thrashing of Instonians with a 3-1 defeat at Cookstown. They possess one of the country’s premier drag-flickers in Tim Cockram, while Cork’s Jason Lynch has added a valuable creative outlet, but provided Bann keeper Gareth Lennox has gotten over a case of the yips suffered in a 4-4 draw with Bangor, home advantage should win the day here. Verdict: Banbridge

Cork C of I vs Fingal (Garryduff, Saturday, 4pm)

Having narrowly lost out to Monkstown for the final automatic qualification spot in Leinster last season, Fingal’s IHL dream nearly unravelled completely when they had to reverse a two-goal deficit against Bandon in the wildcard playoffs. But they have made a promising start domestically this term, taking seven points from nine, with teenage forwards Mark Ryan and Andrew Shekleton making a big impression. Nonetheless, it is hard to look beyond C of I for this one, particularly at home. Stephen Jackson’s side, which boasts four Irish internationals, are one of the finest attacking outfits in the country when their minds are on the job, and Billy Lynch’s form between the sticks has meant they have hardly missed long-term injury victim Mark Ruddle. A 2-0 win over arch-rivals Quins last weekend has their tails up, and it could be a long day for Fingal unless they can frustrate the hosts early on. Verdict: Cork C of I

Women’s Pool A

Cork C of I vs Randalstown (Garryduff, Saturday, 2pm)

Phil Oakley’s C of I side endured a miserable, winless Club Championships outing in May, and a 2-0 defeat to Quins last weekend set them back some big early-season wins. However, they can take solace from the fact that they dominated that match for long periods, and in Lauragh O’Neill they have unearthed a potentially lethal drag-flicker. The loss of internationals Emma Clarke and Shirley McCay has severely weakened Randalstown, who come into the game off the back of a disappointing goalless draw at home to Lurgan, though they will welcome back underage international Rebecca Dallas. Provided Deirdre Casey can stamp her authority on midfield early on – and they address a profligacy in front of goal – this could be the perfect confidence booster for C of I. Verdict: Cork C of I

Jean McDonnell has played a vital part in Railway's superb start to the season. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Pegasus vs Railway Union (Jordanstown, Sunday, 4pm)

Easily the most intriguing of the women’s matches. This trip to Belfast is a chance for Mick McKinnon’s Railway to prove their credentials on a national level, having had a whirlwind start domestically, with Hermes among the scalps as they took maximum points from their first three encounters. Despite losing out to Hermes in last season’s Club Championships semi-final, Pegasus are still the standard bearers for women’s hockey in Ireland, enabling them to attract the best young talent. Ireland A co-captain Michelle Harvey made the move from Victorians over the summer, and alongside fellow internationals Kate McConnell and Alex Speers, represents the youthful exuberance to compliment the vast experience of Arlene Boyles, Suzanne Beaney and Claire McMahon. While we still wouldn’t be unduly surprised if Railway snuck a win here, Pegasus’ desire to make a statement of intent should see them take this one. Verdict: Pegasus

Loreto vs Belfast Harlequins (Loreto Beaufort, Sunday, 3pm)

On paper, this is the most predictable of the IHL ties for both sexes. It’s difficult to pinpoint a weak link in this Loreto outfit, with Armagh recruit Lizzie Colvin adding to the phalanx of international talent in the side. While they may still be without injury victim Hannah Matthews, they also boast a couple of other young stars, notably Zara Delany, and will be confident of recording a comfortable opening win on home turf. Despite the inclusion of one of Ireland’s better players, Jenny McDonough, in their side, Harlequins lack the overall quality to challenge at this level, though Ruth Millar and Judy Getty are capable of chipping in with the odd goal. A strong team ethic that saw them grind out the necessary results in the wildcard playoffs should ensure they won’t be cannon fodder, but it’s hard to see anything other than a Loreto win. Verdict: Loreto

Women’s Pool B

Pembroke Wanderers vs Armagh (Serpentine Avenue, Saturday, 2.30pm)

Pembroke have weathered the loss of seven first-teamers surprisingly well, and they had the pleasure of showing a trio that defected to Bray what they were missing with a 3-1 win. Louisa Moore has been in sparkling form in her first full campaign for the Serpentine Avenue side, and provides a huge threat at short corner time. Hockey followers have been waiting for Armagh, who possess arguably the most talented young squad in the country, to explode for the past few seasons, but they have gone off the boil somewhat this term. They are pointless after two games domestically, and teen sensation Amy Stewart’s ankle problems have robbed them of a major goalscoring outlet. They may come good once again later in the season, but this should be Pembroke’s day. Verdict: Pembroke Wanderers

Ballymoney vs Cork Harlequins (Joey Dunlop Centre, Saturday, 2.30pm)

‘Money were the bridesmaids of Irish hockey last term, though Pegasus can’t have made for an attractive bride in their eyes. The Belfast outfit beat them to the league title and saw them off in the finals of the Irish Senior Cup and Winemark Shield, so ‘Money won’t be short of motivation this term. Megan Frazer and Lynsey McVicker provide the bullets for the Antrim outfit, with Bridget McKeever shoring things up at the back alongside talented teenage netminder Sammy-Jo Greer. However, Quins will be out to exact some revenge after their home defeat to the same opposition last term. Rachael Kohler is still a class act in midfield, and they have excellent totems in attack and defence too in the form of Eimear Cregan and Cliodhna Sargent. They showed their battling qualities last weekend without their international duo, defeating C of I 2-0 despite ceding the majority of possession, but it would still be a shock if they were to get anything more than a draw out of this one. Verdict: Ballymoney

Chloe Watkins (background) is the jewel in the crown in Hermes' battalion of young starlets. Picture: Deryck Vincent

UCD vs Hermes (Belfield, Sunday, 2pm)

Despite coach Colin Stewart’s frequent protestations last term that Hermes were a side in transition, his young side made a mockery of such modest ambitions by dramatically winning the Club Championships, an Aoife Harte golden goal giving them a 1-0 final victory over Loreto. They are beginning to rival Armagh in the production line stakes, with a side littered with underage interpro and international stars, including Gillian Pinder – who has hit three in her last two games – Niamh Atcheler, last season’s goalscoring sensation Anna O’Flanagan and the precocious Chloe Watkins, who is widely regarded as the most promising talent in the women’s game. UCD, who won the wildcard playoff, exacting revenge for their intervarsity loss to UCC in the process, are a game outfit but it’s hard to see how they can overcome the loss of Christine Quinlan – who has returned to this weekend’s opponents – and the Flinn sisters. Verdict: Hermes