WOMEN'S HOCKEY:AT THE conclusion of his team's European Championship campaign back in August, Irish coach Gene Muller was unsure if the funds would be there to take the squad to Argentina as part of the build-up to next year's Olympic qualifying tournament.
Money might be too tight to mention these days, but sponsors ESB Electric Ireland and the Argentinian Hockey Federation have, says the Irish Hockey Association, combined to make the trip possible.
The squad will, then, spend just over two weeks in Argentina in December, playing two four-nations tournaments that will feature the hosts, India and South Africa.
Argentina are the world’s top-ranked nation, India are 10th and South Africa 12th, so Ireland, 15th in the list, will be up against top-class opposition.
“This trip will provide two quality events and some warm-weather training after a long stretch of training in the cold, damp conditions in Ireland,” said IHA high performance director Dave Passmore. “It is a timely opportunity to assess the development of the team moving forward to the Olympic Qualifiers.”
Clubs will, then, be without their internationals for that period, but already have to wait until the second weekend in October before they are available, with the squad currently in the middle of a rest period.
Three Rock open their Leinster Division One campaign tomorrow at home to Old Alexandra, just a fortnight after being asked to replace Bray – having lost close to a dozen players, the Wicklow club requested that they be allowed drop out of Division One.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday– Leinster League – Division One: Pembroke Wanderers v Trinity, Serpentine Avenue, 12.30; Glenanne v Railway Union, St Mark's, 3.0; Hermes v Corinthian, St Andrew's, 3.15; Three Rock v Old Alexandra, Grange Road, 3.30; UCD v Loreto, Belfield, 4.15.
