Food for thought for coach Lewers

MEN'S HOCKEY: THE NEW Irish coach should have a lot to think about when he departs Ireland, having watched just about every player on the Irish selector's radar this weekend. A few injuries aside, Iain Lewers' defection to possibly play with Britain and the unavailability of Stephen Butler due to work commitments, Ireland will put out three teams against Scotland today, Saturday and Sunday for the delectation of South African, Paul Revington. The coach that took the Springboks to an Olympics will not take up his position as the new Irish boss until the New Year.

Revington has already met Butler, who should again be one of the pivotal players going into next year's European Championships.

The new coach will also get a chance to cast his eye over players he has not yet seen as they face Scotland in Havlock Park in two Test matches today and tomorrow and a non Test match on Sunday, where presumably both teams can experiment in whatever way they wish.

Long term there is also a World Cup to consider and the 2012 Olympics in London, which will hold special significance. Although three Ulster players have Olympic medals with Britain, an Irish team has never qualified for the Games since the Irish Hockey Association amended their rules to allow an Irish team to contest qualification tournaments.

Revington will have to fill a few holes left by recent retirements of experienced players and doubtlessly Scotland, who will not have the same Olympic ambitions because they are part of the Britain set-up, but will have similar European ambitions, are sure to provide gritty opposition.

As a result of the three games as well as the under-16 and under-18 interprovincial tournament taking place in Ulster, there are a raft of postponed club matches in Leinster and in Division One the only game scheduled to go ahead is a bottom of the table meeting between Kilkenny and UCD.

FIXTURES: Friday: International Test - Ireland v Scotland, Havlock Park, Banbridge 8.00. Saturday: Ireland v Scotland Test, Havlock Park, 5.00; Leinster Senior League - Kilkenny v UCD 2.45 Kilkenny College; Munster Senior League: Bandon v Cath. Inst, Bandon GS 12.00; Sunday: Ireland v Scotland; Non-Test, Havelock Park, Banbridge 2.30.