An exhilarating year home and away

APART from hot ports, warmth can be induced this week in recollecting the highlights of an exhilarating year for Irish hockey. Above all, there were the balmy days of October in Cagliari when Ireland drove to an unprecedented six successive wins to sweep into the next stage of the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in March (when it may still be freezing here).

The main factor in that marvellous run was the sheer commitment and discipline of the squad, allied to composure when they were a goal down at half time in three of the matches.

The first game, too, against Scotland, needed nerve before the full three points were collected in a 2-1 victory. Indeed, that was a critical result, providing the momentum to beat Bangladesh (7-0), the US (4-2), Kenya (3-2), Poland (5-2) and Italy (3-1).

Following that defeat of the host country, the Irish squad - though they couldn't let there hair down as they had shorn it off at last quaffed a few local beers and rendered a version of Molly Malone for Sardinian TV.

This weekend, the hard grind starts again as full training is resumed. Enthusiasm is demonstrated, particularly, by Galahad Goulet of Avoca who has returned to full action barely three weeks after sustaining a fractured cheekbone in the Interprovincial Championship.

The other major happening of 1996 was, of course, Avoca's capture of the Irish Senior Cup, for the first time, in their centenary season. The 3-2 triumph achieved against Lisnagarvey in the epic replay at Belfield will be remembered especially by Robbie Ryan, who smashed home the winning goal, and by the veteran Campese of the team, Mark Cullen. For long standing administrators, too, like Brian Taylor, the mission was complete. After 16 years of the trophy resting in Ulster hands, it was back in Leinster.

Ironically, while the Ulster Branch have been celebrating their centenary, most of the honours have slipped out of their grasp, culminating in Leinster's handsome 3-0 win in the Senior Interprovincial Championship decider at Blaris.

Ulster, though, have made a huge contribution to the buoyancy of the game and continue to provide a strong representation in the national squads, of which the under 18s must not be forgotten.

This Ireland side reflected the emergence of talent throughout the country as England were outplayed (4-2) in the Triple Crown match in Scotland. The uninhibited attacking play of the young Dub liners, Garry Ringwood and Just in Sherriff, was totally invigorating.

Another source of delight was not only the appointment of Irish umpire Ray O'Connor to officiate in the Olympic Games, but his modest rise and rise in Atlanta until, ultimately, he took charge of the final, in which Holland emerged as gold medallists in defeating Spain, 3-1.

If the weather relents tomorrow, O'Connor will be scampering around one of the Dublin pitches, where the most interesting Leinster League game is scheduled for Park Avenue. Here, Railway Union and Monkstown are due to meet in an Irish Senior Cup rehearsal.