Men's Hockey / World Cup Qualifers: The Irish team will have two weekend training camps before Christmas as they prepare to build up for the World Cup qualifying event in China next April. Then from January onwards players in the squad will only be allowed to play in Irish Senior Cup matches for their clubs.
The regular league schedule will be out of bounds as Ireland press for the next step up in their international development.
The World Cup qualifying event will be significantly more difficult and is expected to be played at a much higher level than the European Championship Trophy that Ireland won in Rome two weeks ago. Already several top nations are involved with Pakistan, England, Japan and Malaysia included in the event, which has not yet been finalised.
But in essence the second best sides from continental competitions will be involved in the Chinese event, the continental winners, such as European champions Spain, earning automatic qualification for the German world finals.
Indeed one of the problems Ireland face between now and next April is getting warm-up games against Asian teams.
Because the style is so different to that of European teams Ireland will be anxious to play against some Asian sides in the build-up.
In past years Indian teams from London have been usefully used for Irish teams to get used to the free-flowing attacking style at which Pakistan are masters.
"Without doubt the teams at the World Cup qualifier are better," said Irish coach Dave Passmore. "But I believe the (Irish) team can step up. The pace of the games will play an important part in our development. The programme after Christmas will allow players to play Irish senior Cup but it will be important for them to keep training with their clubs. The full programme should be confirmed next week."
Meanwhile, Corinthians' meeting with Three Rock Rovers should provide some goals in the Leinster Senior League while Avoca meet the students from Trinity in the hope of gaining their first senior points of the season at Newpark.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Leinster Senior League, Division One: -Corinthians v Three Rock Rovers, Whitechurch Park 2.45pm; Railway Union v Pembroke Wanderers, Park Avenue 1.15pm; Monkstown v YMCA, Rathdown School TBC; Avoca v Dublin University, Newpark 1.45pm; Glenanne v Fingal Glenanne Park 1.30pm.
Division Two: UCD v Clontarf, Belfield TBC; Suttonians v Portrane/St B/PP, Sutton Park TBC; Skerries v St James Gate postponed; Kilkenny v Weston, Scanlon Park Kilkenny 3pm; Bray v Naas, Loreto Convent Bray 1pm. Sunday: Wright Carey Cup, Semi-finals: Kilkenny vs Monkstown, Scanlon Park TBC; Three Rock Rovers vs Corinthians, Grange Road.
