Ireland to host Champions Challenge

MEN’S HOCKEY

THE IRISH Hockey Association has been asked to host the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) inaugural Champions Challenge II from July 6th-12th this year. The tournament will comprise eight teams and will take place in the National Hockey Stadium at UCD. It will also offer the competing sides the chance to earn world ranking points.

The Japanese national team are interested in coming and they will arrive as the top ranked side at 12 in the world. The full-time squad from Malaysia ranked 15th and France at 17th are also included with Ireland officially the fourth strongest team with a current world ranking of 18.

Poland, who were recently promoted from the Champions Trophy in 2007 and are ranked 19th in the world, are also involved as are Austria at 21, Chile at 24 and the Russians at 25.

The competition is seen as an important one for Ireland, who will have the opportunity to face the different styles and tactics of the non European nations. It will also act as a very useful warm-up event before the men travel to this year’s European Championships the following month. The Russians and Polish are traditionally direct hard-running teams, while the Malaysian team should bring their usual brand of flair and technical ability. Due to the busy schedule of both the men’s and women’s senior teams, including the Celtic Cup, Champions Challenge II and the European Championships, Irish hockey will not be hosting the Setanta Sports Trophy this year.

On the club front, it is Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals weekend. Because of the spell of bad weather, Cork Harlequins have still to play their round two match against Banbridge at Farmers Cross, while the big game in Dublin is Three Rock Rovers meeting the 2007 cup champions, Glenanne at Grange Road.

In the last round Glenanne beat North Down, a non senior Ulster side – albeit one on top of their league table and in round one they put 11 goals past Catholic Institute.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday: Irish Senior Cup – Round Two: Cork Harl v Banbridge, Farmers Cross, 2pm. Quarter-finals: Mossley v Pembroke, The Glade, 2.30pm; Three Rock Rovers v Glenanne, Grange Road, 3pm; Annadale v Corinthians, UUJ, 2.30pm. Sunday: Leinster Senior Cup – Semi-finals: Pembroke v Monkstown 1pm; Corinthians v YMCA, 3pm (both Grange Road).