MEN'S HOCKEY PREVIEW:WITH WREXHAM being the venue for this summer's European Nations Trophy, Ireland's trip there this weekend should perform a double function for coach Paul Revington. With the Champions Challenge II European event scheduled for Belfield on July 6th-12th, and the European Trophy back in Glyndwr University in August, it makes for a busy international season.
A number of players are on their way back into the team, including Ireland’s prolific goal-scorer Stephen Butler and John Jermyn, which should spice up the Irish short-corner routine.
There’s still no place for Pembroke’s Justin Sherriff, which is a shame given his obvious talent. As a bench player coming into a game to make an impact there are few to match him and his club form this season has been good.
Still, Revington will wish to put his own shape on this group of players, with qualification for the London Olympics in 2012 the long-term ambition.
Wales are traditionally a robust team and meetings with Ireland are rarely pretty. In the last clash in September with a younger side Ireland came away with a defeat (3-2) and a draw (2-2), but with many of his key players in place and some in-form names such as the free-scoring Alan Sothern in the squad, the coach will hope for something more.
Ireland’s Pool B in Wrexham in August features Italy, Belarus and Russia and the team will be expecting to win it and the tournament. Promotion to the top European flight is again the ambition. Wales are in Pool A with Scotland, Czech Republic and Switzerland.
IRELAND: D Harte (Pembroke), I Walker (YMCA), R Gormley (capt, Pembroke), T Lewis (Pembroke), J Brennan (Glenanne) C Harte (Pembroke), J Jackson (Loughborough), G Shaw (Glenanne), S Butler (Glenanne), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), J Jermyn (Cork C of I), A McConnell (Three Rock Rovers), G McCabe (Banbridge), E Magee (Banbridge), T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), M Darling (Three Rock Rovers), A Sothern (Pembroke), M Watt (Grange).
FIXTURES – Saturday: Ireland v Wales 2.30, Wrexham; Sunday: Ireland v Wales 1.0, Wrexham
