WOMEN'S HOCKEY:WHILE, REALISTICALLY, it was always unlikely Ireland would earn direct qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games through next summer's European Championships, that task became even harder this week.
First came the announcement that only the finalists from the tournament would book their passage to London (it was the top three in 2008) and then Gene Muller’s team was drawn in a pool with two of the world’s top five nations, hosts Germany and England.
Belgium, ranked two places below Ireland (at 17), complete the pool, with the Netherlands, Spain, Azerbaijan and Italy making up the second group in the Mönchengladbach-hosted event.
Barring a major upset, then, Ireland, who equalled their best ever finish – fifth – at the 2009 European Championships, will have to compete in one of three Olympic Qualification tournaments scheduled for early 2012, India, Japan and Azerbaijan the host countries. Only the winner of each of those events will qualify for London.
They won’t, though, have to travel at all for some high quality opposition next June in their build-up to the Europeans, the Irish Hockey Association announcing Belfield will host the Champions Challenge tournament, featuring nations ranked seven to 15 in the world, so will include New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Spain, India, the United States and Muller’s native South Africa.
“This is a perfect and timely opportunity for us to measure the progress made through the Central Preparation Programme (CPP) and will provide an excellent platform for the team to develop towards the European Championships,” said IHA high performance director David Passmore of the announcement.
This is a rest weekend for players who are part of the CPP, so their clubs must do without them. Worst hit are Railway Union, Hermes, UCD and Loreto who all have two matches.
Leinster League, Division One – Tomorrow: Hermes v Corinthian, St Andrew's, 1pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Loreto, Serpentine Avenue, 2pm; Glenanne v UCD, Glenanne Park, 2.30; Old Alexandra v Railway Union, Milltown, 3pm; Trinity v Bray, Santry, 3pm. Sunday: Railway Union v Hermes, Park Avenue, 3pm; UCD v Loreto, Belfield, 4pm.
Munster Division One Cup, First round – Tomorrow: Bandon v Catholic Institute, Bandon Grammar School, 11.30; Univ of Limerick v Church of Ireland, Univ of Limerick, 1.30; Cork Harlequins v Belvedere, Harlequin Park, 12.30; Ashton v UCC, Ashton School, 12.15.
