Men's Hockey: Ireland's 4-1 defeat of Belgium at Grange Road on Wednesday, climaxed by Justin Sherriff's spectacular 36th goal in 55 internationals, was as good as a brandy on a cold night for an enthusiastic attendance.
It came as a tonic to the game in general. Indeed, there will be fresh enthusiasm for the Mills Cup semi-finals in the Three Rock arena tomorrow when Glenanne tackle Monkstown followed by the meeting of Corinthians and YMCA.
Given that Glenanne and YMCA made defiant exits from the Irish Senior Cup last weekend, they may well retain sufficient combativity to reach the final of the Leinster competition. Ciaran Bolger and Clinton Murphy played particularly stoutly in the Glenanne defence against Annadale, and it is doubtful if Monkstown can breach such a mature rearguard more than once, as was the case in the league meetings (3-1 and 1-1).
Similarly, YM have been strong at the back, notably in taking Instonians into extra time, though they will be evenly matched against Corinthians on the evidence of a win each in championship fixtures.
Preparations for the European Championship in Rome in September continue with the return of the Belgian side to Dublin next Wednesday. Then Italy and Canada are due to pay a visit at the end of May.
Ireland will go to Aberdeen to take on Scotland in June, followed by the Celtic Cup tournament in Edinburgh on July 22nd-24th. The climax to the build-up will be two matches against Germany at Belfield on July 30th-31st.
It was against West Germany in Dublin in 1970 that Alvin Carson, who died in Antrim last week, made the first of his record 90 appearances in Ireland's goal. Though for many years the understudy to the legendary Harry Cahill, he became a master himself in the number one berth and his illustrious career ended only in 1983.
He figured notably in the 1-0 defeat of Britain in the 1972 Santander eight-nations triumph, and he was inspirational in the Intercontinental Cup tournament in Rome in 1977.
It was not surprising that with his swift reactions, anticipation and calmness, he became a much respected umpire and advanced serenely to international level in this element of the game also.
TOMORROW: Leinster Senior Mills Cup (semi-finals, at Grange Road): Monkstown v Glenanne, 1.0; Corinthians v YMCA, 3.0. Leinster Senior League: Division Two: St Brendan's/Phoenix Park v Skerries, DCU, 1.0; Naas v Avoca, Naas, 2.30; Bray v Suttonians, Loreto Bray, 1.30; UCD v Portrane, Belfield, 2.30.
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