Last throw of the dice for UCC

All eyes turn to Rosbrien tomorrow to see what the latest twist in a fascinating climax to the Munster women’s league will be, as Catholic Institute host UCC knowing that the loser’s title hopes will go up in smoke.

UCC's Olivia Roycroft and Institute's Rebecca Barry should have prominent roles to play at Rosbrien tomorrow given the absence of both sides' Irish internationals. Picture: Ondine Roche

Both sides will be without their Irish international due to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Chile, though with the squad due to fly to South America on Sunday, it remains to be seen whether the air traffic chaos caused by celandic volcano eruption will clear in time for them.

The loss of their Irish stars is likely to affect College more, as they lose both the spine of their side and their primary corner threat without sweeper and captain Audrey O’Flynn, and midfielder Julia O’Halloran.

Eimear Cregan’s forward power will also be a major loss to Institute, but her absence does not, arguably, cause the same level of disruption.

College edged it 2-1 when the sides met earlier in the season at Mount Mercy, but Institute are arguably in better form, coming into this clash off the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Cork C of I, making it almost impossible to call.

Cork Harlequins are in the driving seat to make it 15 league wins in a row, having taken five points from a possible six in their double-header with College last weekend, and they should take maximum points from their visit to basement side UL.

With Quins facing Institute next weekend, the maths are simple for both sides — win their remaining two games, and they will finish top of the pile.

But should College leave Limerick with three points, they could then take the title if Institute do them a favour by beating Quins.

Fourth-placed C of I are no longer in the title race, but having comfortably beaten Ashton 5-0 at Garryduff last night, they know three more points in the return fixture at Ashton School tomorrow could still see them claim a place in the IHL wildcard playoffs, should Institute falter.

Div 1 Result

C of I 5 (Cathy Kenefick 2, Grace Young, Rachel O’Hanlon, Sue O’Connor) Ashton 0

Women’s Div 1: Ashton vs Cork C of I (Ashton School, 12.30pm); Catholic Institute vs UCC (Rosbrien, 12.30pm); UL vs Cork Harlequins (UL, 1.30pm); Women’s Div 2: UCC vs Catholic Institute (Mardyke, 3.30pm).