Midfielder Mark Black and front-runner Gordon Elliott, both uncapped, were called up to travel to Edinburgh yesterday as standby replacements in the Irish squad for the Scottish Centenary tournament. They may be called into action because of injuries in training to Galahad Goulet and David McAnulty. There are now two brothers, Jason and Mark Black, in the 18-man panel.
The captain, Alan Dowd, is due to make his 100th international appearance in tomorrow's match against the world and Olympic champions, Holland. Dowd (37) gained his first cap against Scotland in Glasgow in 1990. Today, Ireland meet the Scots whom they beat 1-0 to win the Celtic Cup in Dublin last month. On Sunday, skilful Spain are likely to provide as demanding opposition as the illustrious Dutch side, who recently won the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.
IRELAND (from) - N Henderson (Pembroke Wanderers), K Thompson (Banbridge); J Black (Harlequins), M Black (Cork C of I), P Brown (Instonians), S Butler (Glenanne), N Buttimer (Cork C of I), A Dowd (Lisnagarvey), G Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers), G Goulet (Avoca), C Jackson (Annadale), E Lutton (Newry Olympic), D McAnulty (Banbridge), M Raphael (Lisnagarvey), J Sherriff (Pembroke Wanderers), D Smyth (Annadale), I Steen (Newry Olympic), J Stevenson (Lisnagarvey); coach: J Clarke; manager: D Larmour.
PROGRAMME: Today, v Scotland, 2.0; Tomorrow, v Netherlands, 4.0; Sunday, v Spain, 4.0.
Dutch coach Albert Manenschijn will conduct a practical workshop on the latest techniques, in particular in defending, at Corinthians HC, Whitechurch Park, Dublin, on Friday and Saturday, July 7th and 8th (19.30 to 22.30 and 9.30 to 17.00, respectively).
