Teenage talent on show at Newpark

Men's Hockey:For a little diversion and perhaps a glimpse into the future, Newpark School might be the place to be this weekend for the under-16 and under-18 interprovincial tournaments. Who wins the events will please coaches and players but will probably not make an impact nationally.

The importance of these age groups playing over this weekend is what lies ahead, and given Ireland's ambitions at international level, the players on view at Newpark are the ones who will provide the bulk of the teams stepping out for Ireland over the coming years.

Given Irish coach Dave Passmore's hopes that Ireland will qualify for the next Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, or perhaps the London Olympics of 2012, this weekend represents an opportunity for him to see what teenage talent can be brought forward with a view to Olympic and World Cup qualification.

Given too the new emphasis on a professional attitude and a move towards a more professional set-up for players, this generation have a lot to play for and a lot to ask themselves.

The reality of international hockey now is that it requires players to be full-time, and careers have suffered.

The challenge for Passmore and the Irish administration is how to dovetail players into an international system that continues to demand more time than players can reasonably give.

Ask Stephen Butler or Paddy Brown how difficult it has been to keep the two balls in the air, career and hockey.

The pressure on those playing for Ireland is going to increase, but hopefully the rewards will also be greater.

Teenagers have been recently tried out against Scotland, as in Pembroke's Alan Sothern. With Passmore age is not a factor if the ability is there.

As the Irish Hockey Association's mission statement says, "The interpros are very important dates in the Irish hockey calendar as they are a talent ID and selection mechanism for the eight international squads that Ireland currently fields."

WEEKEND FIXTURES

TODAY:Schoolboys' Interprovincial Tournament (at Newpark School): Under-16 - Leinster v Munster 11.0; Under-18 - Leinster v Munster, 12.45; Under-16 - Munster v Ulster, 2.30; Under-18 - Munster v Ulster, 4.15.

SATURDAY:Leinster Senior League - Division One: Glenanne v Dublin University, Glenanne Park, 2.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Bray, Serpentine Ave, 2.0; Railway Union v Fingal, Park Avenue, 2.0; Three Rock Rovers v YMCA, Grange Road, 1.0. Division Two: Clontarf v Avoca, Mount Temple, 12.30; Naas v Kilkenny, Naas, 2.0; PSBPP v Weston, DCU, 1.0; Suttonians v Navan, Sutton Park School, 2.15; UCD v Skerries, Belfield, 1.0. Schoolboys' Interprovincial Tournament (at Newpark School): Under-16 - Leinster v Ulster, 10.30; Under-18 - Leinster v Ulster, 12.15; Under-16 - Leinster v Munster, 2.0; Under-18 - Leinster v Munster, 3.45.

SUNDAY- Schoolboys' Interprovincial Tournament (at Newpark School) - Under-16 - Ulster v Munster, 10.0; Under-18 - Ulster v Munster, 11.45; Under-16 - Leinster v Ulster, 1.30; Under-18 - Leinster v Ulster, 3.15.