Railway Union’s international stars could go straight back into club action this weekend as the EY Hockey League returns in Ireland with the 15th round of matches.
The Dublin club travels to bottom-ranked UCC as they look to continue their push for an EY Champions Trophy semi-final spot with key players Sarah Hawkshaw, Róisín Upton and Katie Mullan coming back into the fold after their exploits at the FIH Nations Cup.
Ireland finished in second place overall, missing out on the title in a shoot-out to New Zealand after initially winning their first four games.
Mullan’s powerful strike had given the Green Army a shoot-out chance in the final, equalising in the closing minutes, but the Blacksticks produced a flawless shoot-out series for the victory.
As such, their thoughts turn back to the domestic season where Railway are in second place in the regular season table, five points back from leaders Loreto who have played one game less.
The league offers playoff spots for the top six teams with the top two going straight to the semi-finals and it will be this target chief in their mind.
In the absence of their international trio, Railway have continued to impress, reaching the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup as well as the final of the regional Jacqui Potter Leinster Senior Cup which will take place on St Patrick’s Day.
It makes for a busy run before they make their debut in the Euro Hockey League at Easter against SCHC on April 16th.
