EHF refuses to budge on U-21s

HOCKEY: While the Irish senior squad is away in the US finalising preparations for the World Cup, five of the under-21 panel, who might have aspirations to break in to the senior ranks next year, have been told their hopes of bowing out at under-21 level in Prague next summer have been scuppered by the European Hockey Federation.

The EHF has rescheduled the European Under-21 B Division championships for next August, after this summer's event was abandoned due to flooding in the Czech Republic. But, despite the circumstances, they have decided not to waive the usual age qualifications; therefore, any player not under 21 on January 1st, 2003, will not be eligible for selection.

Among those who will be "overage" next year will be captain Sarah McMaster and vice-captain Elaine Bromell, who helped Ireland to an excellent start to August's tournament when they beat Russia 3-0. It proved, though, to be their only game of the event after severe flooding struck the Czech Republic.

Goalkeeper Sharon Moffett, Jenny McDonough (already a senior international) and Aoife Mitchell will also miss out.

Loreto forward Nikki Symmons, already capped at senior level and one of the under-21 scorers against Russia, will still be eligible to play in Prague, but, for now, her thoughts, and those of her team-mates, are on club matters. Tomorrow they play Corinthian, the club coached by Fred McDarby who led Loreto to Irish Senior Cup success last April.

A Symmons hat-trick last weekend helped Loreto to a 5-1 win over Trinity, putting the team firmly back on track after their opening day defeat by Pembroke Wanderers, while Corinthian have taken four points from their first two games, beating Glenanne and drawing with Genesis.

Pembroke, top of the table after two wins and a draw, take on Genesis at home tomorrow while UCD, who opened their season with a win over Genesis, play bottom-of-the-table Glenanne at Belfield. Old Alexandra and Trinity, meanwhile, meet at Milltown.

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: UCD v Glenanne, Belfield, 1.0; Old Alexandra v Trinity, Milltown, 1.15; Loreto v Corinthian, Beaufort, 2.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Genesis, Ballsbridge, 3.30. Division Two: Aer Lingus v Hermes II, ALSAA, 10.0; Our Lady's v Genesis II, Terenure, 1.0; Three Rock v Pembroke Wanderers II, Grange Road, 12.15; Loreto II v Old Alexandra II, Beaufort, 3.30; Corinthian II v Clontarf, Whitechurch, 4.30.

MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Belvedere v Univ of Limerick, Ballincollig, 3.15.

ULSTER LEAGUE - Section One: Portadown v Ards, Edenvilla Park, 2.30; Ballymena v Ballymoney, Showgrounds, 2.30; Randalstown v Harlequins, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Coleraine v Knock, UUC, 2.30; UUJ v Pegasus, UUJ, 2.30.