Men's HockeyIrish striker Gordon Elliott earlier this week announced his retirement from international hockey.
The 29-year-old Pembroke Wanderers player was part of the Irish squad which travelled to Rome three weeks ago for the European Championship Trophy and gained promotion to the elite division of European hockey. Coming off a series of injuries Elliott did not get the pitch time he might have wanted but was nonetheless a valuable part of one of Ireland's most successful tournaments in many years.
One of the quickest players on the Irish scene, Elliott joined the Ireland squad in 1998 and earned his first cap against Scotland in 2000 before going on to play 59 times for his country. During that time he scored 18 goals. Now a vital part of Pembroke's drive for Irish Cup and league honours alongside international team-mates Nigel Henderson and Justin Sherriff, Elliott's experience will be missed by coach Dave Passmore and the Irish side, who hope to qualify for the World Cup next April in China.
"I feel that it is the right time to step aside and at 29 I am keen to concentrate on club hockey and, of course, my work," said Elliott. "Having joined the squad in 1998, I feel that I have contributed as much as I can, earning 59 caps and scoring 18 goals.
"It has been a huge honour to wear the green and I have made many great friends along the way."
Elliott is the only player to have formally announced his retirement following the Rome success and this week will join Henderson and Sherriff for Pembroke's away game against Monkstown in the Leinster Senior League. Following their rest period Glenanne will also welcome back internationals Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw as they face Dublin University hoping to keep their unbeaten start to the season going.
Trinity, who registered their first points last week with a 4-4 draw at Newpark against Avoca, once again have shown they are a strong attacking side, particularly Peter Blakeney and Phelie Maguire, but tend to leak goals.
Against Glenanne and especially with Butler lining up at setpieces, that weakness could be the undoing of a talented side.
Elsewhere, Three Rock Rovers face a burgeoning Railway Union at Grange Road while YMCA eye up Avoca at Claremont Road, both clubs anxious to get points on the board.
Saturday: Leinster Senior League - Division 1: Fingal v Corinthians 1:30pm, ALSAA; Three Rock Rovers v Railway Union 2.0, Grange Road; Monkstown v Pembroke Wanderers 1.30 Rathdown School; YMCA v Avoca 1.0, Claremont Road; Dublin University v Glenanne, noon, Santry. Division 2: Suttonians v UCD, 2.0 Sutton Park; Clontarf I v Skerries 1.45, Mount Temple; Kilkenny I v Portrane/St B/PP 2.45, Scanlon Park, Kilkenny; Bray I v St James' Gate 1.0, Loreto Convent, Bray; Weston v Naas 3.45, The King's Hospital.
Munster Senior League - Division I: Catholic Institute A v Belvedere A, noon, Rosbrien
Sunday: Stephen Doyle Cup Semi-Finals - Pembroke Wanderers v Monkstown 2.30, Serpentine Ave; Fingal v Glenanne 2:15, ALSAA.
Munster Senior League - Division I: Catholic Institute A v Harlequin, 3.30, Rosbrien.
