HOCKEY/International friendlies: With six weeks to go before the European Nations Cup in Barcelona the Ireland senior squad is stepping up preparations in Holland this week where they will play the Japanese and Dutch national teams, as well as taking on club sides in practice matches.
The absence through injury of Linda O'Neill means coach Riet Kuper is now without nine of last year's World Cup squad, making this the youngest panel she has had in her five years in charge.
Ballymoney's Bridget McKeever, an Irish under-21 last season, is included in the 19-player panel, one of five uncapped players with Suzanne Beaney, Elaine Brommel, Fiona Connery and Mary Goode. Ireland play Japan today and Holland on Sunday in Den Bosch.
Meanwhile, the under-21 squad continue their build-up for next month's European championships in Prague by hosting the Celtic Cup at Belfield where they will play Wales today and France and Scotland tomorrow and Sunday. Stephen Jackson has added Kirsty McCollum (Ulster) and Emma Smyth (Leinster) to his squad after watching them with the under-18s last week.
SENIOR INTERNATIONALS (at Den Bosch) - Today: Ireland v Japan, 2.30. Sunday: Ireland v Holland, 2.30.
UNDER-21 CELTIC CUP (At Belfield) - Today: Scotland v France, 12.0; Ireland v Wales, 4.0. Tomorrow: Scotland v Wales, 10.0; Ireland v France, 2.0. Sunday: France v Wales, 9.0; Ireland v Scotland, 1.0.
IRISH SENIOR SQUAD: A Platt, B McKeever, L McVicker (all Ballymoney), J McDonough, S Beaney (both Belfast Harlequins), R Kohler (capt), E Brommel (both Cork Harlequins), D Sixsmith, F Connery, L Caulfield (all Hermes), C McKean, N Symmons (both Loreto), N King, T Conway (both Old Alexandra), K Maybin (Pegasus), M Goode (Pembroke Wanderers), J Orbinson (Portadown), C O'Brien (UCD), E Cregan (Univ of Limerick). Coach: Riet Kuper. Assistant coach: Graeme Francey.
IRISH UNDER-21 SQUAD: N McCaughern (Ballymoney), E Harte (Bandon), K Hales, D Casey (both Church of Ireland), J McGowan (Coleraine), C McGowan (Corinthians), O McCarthy (Cork Harlequins), A O'Gorman (Genesis), L Healy (capt), N Keegan (both Loreto), S Walsh (NUIG), N Graham, S Martin (both Pegasus), K McCollum (Portadown), E Smyth (Railway Union), S Wilkinson (Randalstown), J Lynch (UCD), K Farrell (Waterford). Coach: Stephen Jackson. Assistant coach: Graham Quincey.
