Irish fans are in for a rare summer treat at Belfield

HOCKEY:PAKISTAN, BRITAIN and Canada are the three teams to face the men's Irish side this summer in the Setanta Sport Trophy, while the women do battle with current Olympic champions Germany as well as Britain and South Africa. Both sets of matches will be run as a joint-tournament in this year's line-up, which takes place at the National Hockey Stadium in Belfield from June 11th-15th. The matches will be broadcast on Setanta Ireland.

The Irish men have never beaten Pakistan, who are ranked sixth in the world, and rarely get a chance to play against Britain, which is made up of players from England, Scotland and Wales.

Their ranking of eighth in the world is based on that of England, while Canada are at 16, three places above Ireland.

While Pakistan may not be the world beaters they were of old, the three-team line-up is impressive and will give Irish spectators the rare chance to see a completely different style of hockey.

The invitational tournament represents the biggest hockey international event of the year in Ireland.

The Irish men lost out on qualification for the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer at the beginning of the year, when the team failed to win their qualifying event in New Zealand, while the women's team is shortly heading to Canada in an effort to qualify.

Germany, who are regular visitors to Ireland, are currently ranked third in the world with Britain at 10 and South Africa 12. The Irish women are currently placed 14th.

"The ability to attract top-quality opposition to this event demonstrates the progress made by our national teams. It is essential our players are exposed to high-quality tournament hockey which is so vital in developing players and enabling them to develop the skills required to achieve at the highest level," said Dave Passmore the IHA's high performance director.

Setanta Sports, who provide significant television coverage to hockey from schools up to the top international level, have committed to again provide full coverage of the event.

This is the second year that the competition has been running.

SETANTA SPORT TROPHY SCHEDULE

Wednesday 11th June 2008, 2.0pm GB v Germany (women); 4.0pm GB v Canada (men); 6.0pm Ireland v South Africa (women); 8.0pm Ireland v Pakistan (men). Thursday 12th June, 2.0pm GB v South Africa (women); 4.0pm GB v Pakistan (men); 6.0pm Ireland v Germany (women); 8.0pm Ireland v Canada (men). Saturday, 14th June 1.0pm South Africa v Germany (women); 3.0pm Ireland v GB (women); 5.0pm Pakistan v Canada (men); 7.0pm Ireland v GB (men). Sunday, 15th June (classification) 9.0am women: 4 v 3; 11.25am women: 1 v 2; 2.05pm men: 4 v 3; 4.30pm men: 1 v 2.