Irish to face Czech Republic

Three weeks before their European Nations' Cup finals' campaign gets under way against the Ukraine in Cologne, Ireland meet two…

Three weeks before their European Nations' Cup finals' campaign gets under way against the Ukraine in Cologne, Ireland meet two more of their pool opponents, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, in friendlies over the next four days.

After this weekend's two games against the Czechs in Prague coach Riet Kuper brings the squad to her native Netherlands where they will play the European champions in Utrecht on Tuesday. Linda Caulfield has recovered from a knee injury but sweeper Arlene Thompson, who needed stitches in her thumb after being struck by the ball, is expected to sit out the games against the Czech Republic.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times