For those who missed the news on the Internet, word has come through in print of the Federation Internationale de Hockey's (FIH) decision to expand the World Cup finals to 16 teams (from 12) and, for the next competition in 2002, there will be just one qualifying tournament also involving 16 sides. This should give more scope to "mid-level" countries, like Ireland.
So, the FIH (which celebrates its 75th anniversary on January 24th) continues to move with the times.
Ireland's next priority is the European Championship in Italy in September and the latest plans are that the squad will have tune-up matches in the Padua arena in July or August.
On the home front, matches between Three Rock Rovers and Avoca at Grange Road invariably provide hockey of the highest calibre and their Cable & Wireless-sponsored Leinster Senior Cup quarter-final will no doubt be contested with full vigour tomorrow.
Rovers will be expected to lift themselves from several disappointing results this month while they will be particularly keen to reverse a league defeat at Rathdown at the end of November when Avoca rallied from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Colm Brady, who put away the decisive goal on that occasion, hopes to return for the Blackrock brigade, having recovered from a mouth injury.
In the other pairing of first-division sides, Monkstown and YMCA also promise to be finely matched at Rathdown. Like Three Rock, Monkstown are looking for a New Year boost, but they may not be capable of repeating their 3-2 league win of earlier in the season against a YMCA side who may upset a lot of teams now that they appear to have found their rhythm.
Corinthians, after their eclipse by Railway Union last Saturday, will probably hit second-division Skerries hard at Whitechurch Park, for the plucky north Dubliners have arrived at this stage via a shoot-out against St James's Gate. Equally, Pembroke Wanderers, still aiming for all the major prizes, are bound to be too streetwise for Trinity at Santry.
Leinster Senior CUP (quarter-finals) - Corinthians v Skerries, Whitechurch Park, 12.30; Monkstown v YMCA, Rathdown, 1.0; Three Rock Rovers v Avoca, Grange Road, 3.0; Dublin University v Pembroke Wanderers, Santry, 3.0.
Leinster Senior League - Division One - Aer Lingus v Railway Union, ALSAA, 2.30; Division Two - UCD v Portrane, Belfield, 1.0; St Brendan's/Phoenix Park v Eastern Health, Grangegorman, 1.30
Munster Premier Division - Bandon v Ashton, Bandon GS, 3.0; Belvedere v Harlequins, Ballincollig, 3.0; Cork C of I v Waterford, Garryduff, 3.30.
Ulster Senior League - Section One (2.30): Bangor v Banbridge; Cookstown v Annadale; Newry v Mossley; Lisnagarvey v Cliftonville; Instonians v Raphoe.
Irish Junior Cup (second round) - Antrim II v Glenanne II, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Ballynahinch v Three Rock Rovers II, Ballynahinch, 1.30.
