SIX YEARS on from the 1-1 draws achieved by Jack Charlton's men against England and Holland which put Cagliari vividly on the map for Irish sportspeople, it's the turn of the hockey squad to strive for (more modest) success in the Sardinian capital.
Here, for the next two weeks, in the 14 nation World Cup prequalifying tournament, Ireland will be aiming to earn one of five places in a higher voltage 12 team competition in Kuala Lumpur next March, with Utrecht 1998 as the ultimate goal.
Much will depend in Cagliari on Ireland's two opening Pool B matches, against familiar robust Scotland on Sunday and totally unfamiliar Bangladesh on Monday.
Two recent meetings have indicated that, with total application, the Scots can be driven into submission - if by a narrow margin - and it is crucial that Alistair Dunne and Robbie Taylor generate maximum aggression in midfield.
A strong physical clement and total concentration should also yield a dividend against Bangladesh, who, as relative newcomers on the international scene, may not relish the vigour of European hockey. They will, though, have become highly skilful on the Asian circuit, and the fact that they lost only by 3-2 to Pakistan in the Madras Games last December will give Ireland's coach Cees Koppelaar food for thought. At least, he will have had a view of their capabilities when they tackle Italy on Sunday.
Ireland will have two days to rest their limbs before tackling the United States on Thursday. Toughness will be required for this game, too, but the Americans have probably lost confidence after being outplayed in the Olympics. In a warm up tournament in Barcelona, they held the rebuilding Irish side to a scoreless draw. It is doubtful if they can contain a more purposeful attack now in which Daniel Clarke seems bound to strike decisively.
The fourth match for Ireland comes on the first Saturday of the tournament against Kenya. The Kenyans seem to have lost ground in recent years and should not be too difficult an obstacle.
Ireland will need to have a decent quota of points in the bag by the time they confront Poland on Monday week. The Poles have tended to be a bogey side in crucial matches in the last two decades. At least Ireland won the last meeting, 4-3, for fifth place in the European Championship in Dublin. An important factor now is whether Poland have had to replace as many senior figures as Koppelaar has had to do.
It could well be that Ireland and Poland will top the pool - especially if they settle for a draw, for ultimately, even with home support and hefty financial aid, Italy may still be short of drive and technical ability to deprive the Irish side of both points on Tuesday.
It would be a marvellous relief if Ireland could, indeed, reach the semi finals and thus be sure of qualifying for Kuala Lumpur. The prospect of playing off for the remaining fifth place would not be at all inviting.
While Nissan have become the IHU's principal sponsors. helping towards the £30,000 trip to Sardinia, funds are still needed from all quarters, especially with the European under 21 Championship in August 1998 calling for additional backing. It was encouraging therefore that when president Marius Gallagher launched a new patronage scheme last night, there was a ready response, with £7,500 promised immediately.
The Leinster Senior League continues tomorrow with a full programme as Avoca, though without their four internationals, did not seek a postponement of their away game against St Brendan's. Three Rock Rovers start the defence of their title against YMCA and are also at home to Pembroke Wanderers in the plum pairing of the weekend on Sunday.
Pembroke, while they should be too sharp for Monkstown tomorrow, do not seem settled enough to defy the champions at this stage of the campaign.
. The Irish Hockey Union will be holding a national coaching conference in the Victor Hotel in Dun Laoghaire tomorrow and Sunday.
