WHILE the tropical deluges in Kuala Lumpur apparently have been of some benefit to Ireland's cricketers, the heat and humidity of the Malaysian capital in March undoubtedly contributed to the poor performances of the hockey squad.
The Irish manager George Compston will draw attention to this factor in his report to tomorrow's IHU executive committee meeting in Dublin.
"A lot of teams were most unhappy about the timing of, some matches," he agrees. "With two pitches available side by side, there was no need to play games in the broiling conditions of the afternoon."
A general feeling in media circles was that the players in the World Cup qualifying tournament were subjected to unnecessary endurance and that the FIH should ensure that they will receive more consideration in future.
Back in the cool breezes of Blaris on Sunday, survivors of the Malaysian experience will join other international figures of the recent past in a match to mark the centenary of the Ulster Branch. Because of weariness, injury and unavailability, not everyone can attend but Nigel Henderson, Francis de Rosa and Devin Donnelly will be representing Pembroke Wanderers.
Of more immediate interest (with junior internationals being the priority for the next year) is an under 21 curtain raiser at Blaris in which a selection of under 18 players have been drafted into a North v South game.
The focus will also be on relatively youthful participants in tomorrow's Leinster League second division promotion play off between Trinity and Aer Lingus at Serpentine Avenue. This is preceded by the Suttonians South East Wanderers replay in the Intermediate Cup. On Wednesday, in an O'Hare family struggle, Suttonians and Weston will decide who goes up with Marillac from Division Three.
While Glenanne have gained their highest placing in the club's history by finishing joint second with Avoca in the premier division, the champions Pembroke have produced the top marksman, Stephen Stewart. The proudest statistic, though, belongs to Three Rock Rovers VI, who, spearheaded by Stuart Switzer, won all 18 matches in their league, notching 71 goals and conceding just eight.
