Ireland squad bound for Spain

HOCKEY: The Ireland squad heads to Valencia with new coach Darren Smith this weekend for a 10-day training camp and three friendly…

HOCKEY:The Ireland squad heads to Valencia with new coach Darren Smith this weekend for a 10-day training camp and three friendly games against Spain as part of their preparations for the FIH World League Two in the same city later this month.

The schedule for the World League sees Ireland open against the Czech Republic and Belarus on February 25th and 26th, and then, unusually, after three rest days, they will meet the hosts and Italy on successive days.

Back home this weekend, Lisnagarvey host the under-21 interprovincial tournament where Leinster will attempt to retain their title after winning it in style in Garryduff last season with a perfect record, finishing up with a 3-0 defeat of Ulster.

UNDER-21 INTERPROVINCIAL

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TOURNAMENT (at Lisnagarvey)

Tomorrow: South East v Munster, 9.30; Leinster v Connacht, 10.30; Ulster v Munster, 1.30; Leinster v South East, 2.0; Ulster v Connacht, 5.30.

Sunday: Leinster v Munster, 9.0; South East v Connacht, 10.0; Ulster v South East, 1.0; Munster v Connacht, 1.30; Ulster v Leinster, 5.0.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times