Kuper's youthful squad begin work in earnest

HOCKEY: The build-up to next month's World Cup in Perth gets under way in earnest in Madrid this weekend where Ireland will play three games against Spain before flying on to the US for a four nations' tournament in Virginia Beach, where they will play the hosts, Scotland and Mexico.

The squad returns home in a fortnight to finalise its preparations, and leaves for Bunbury in Western Australia for a two-week training camp on November 6th, 18 days before they open the World Cup against England.

With half of the 18 players bound for Australia 24 or under, there's a youthful look to the current squad, but there's no shortage of experience either - Claire McMahon and Lynsey McVicker, currently on 98 and 96 caps respectively, should reach the century mark before that England game, bringing to six the number of players in the squad with 100 caps or more (after Rachael Kohler, Laura Lee, Jenny Burke and Arlene Boyles)

Spain and the United States, both drawn in Ireland's World Cup pool, should provide coach Riet Kuper with a useful indication of how well her team's preparations are going, while she will hope for a repeat of the victory in the final of July's European Qualifier over Scotland when Ireland play the same opposition in Virginia Beach. Mexico are an unknown quantity, although their qualification for next year's indoor World Cup, beating the US along the way, suggests they are not short of skill or technique.

On the club front, Leinster's division one college teams start their seasons tomorrow, with Trinity at home to Loreto and UCD taking on Genesis at Belfield. Railway Union meet Old Alexandra at Park Avenue while Glenanne will hope for better fortune against Corinthian in Tallaght after a disheartening opening to the season. The "game of the day", though, sees Pembroke Wanderers attempt to maintain their perfect start to the campaign against champions Hermes at Belfield.

INTERNATIONALS (at Madrid) - Today: Spain v Ireland, 6.0. Tomorrow: Spain v Ireland, 5.0. Sunday: Spain v Ireland, 11.0.

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Trinity v Loreto, Santry, 9.30; Railway Union v Old Alexandra, Sandymount, 12.0; UCD v Genesis, Belfield, 2.30; Glenanne v Corinthian, Tallaght, 3.30; Hermes v Pembroke Wanderers, Belfield, 4.0. Division Two: Aer Lingus v Genesis II, ALSAA, 11.0; Clontarf v Loreto II, Dardistown, 11.0; Corinthian II v Hermes II, Whitechurch, 12.30; Three Rock v Our Lady's, Grange Road, 12.45; Pembroke Wanderers II v Old Alexandra II, Ballsbridge, 1.30.

ULSTER LEAGUE - Section One: Randalstown v Ards, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Pegasus v Ballymena, Queen's, 2.30; Ballymoney v Coleraine, Joey Dunlop Centre, 2.30; Belfast Harlequins v Knock, Deramore, 1.0.