HOCKEY: THE NEWLY appointed Ireland coach Paul Revington will arrive in Ireland later this month to cast his eye over what talent is available for Ireland's international campaign over the next three years or so, leading up to the Olympic Games in London in 2012, an event for which the team hopes to qualify.

Ireland has three games scheduled against Scotland in Banbridge between November 21st-23rd which will afford the South African an opportunity to see a number of athletes in action.

He does not, however, officially start in his position until early next year. Revington, who has experienced an Olympic Games as the former South African coach, expressed his excitement at the prospect of spending some time in Ireland. "I am really looking forward to a very important initial 10 days in Ireland and within Irish hockey circles," he said.

"Outside of watching a few league games, meeting key role players involved within the high performance end of hockey, watching the squad play games against Scotland and experiencing both Dublin and Belfast as hockey centres, I will, most importantly, get to meet the players personally for the first time."

Olympic qualification and participation would represent the biggest achievement for the team since they qualified for the World Cup finals in Lahore back in the 1980s and prior to that when the team reached the finals of the European Under-21 Championships in Dublin.

Still, Revington will represent a fresh face and fresh thinking and although Ireland will be expected to perform reasonably well, the matches will feature a mix of many players, several on the periphery of the side, but hoping to impress in the near future.

Domestically, the top game features a weakened Three Rock Rovers against high flying Fingal. Few will begrudge the Dublin north side team who deservedly top the Leinster Senior League but Rovers are comfortably placed and trail by just a point and with a game in hand.

Fixtures

Leinster Senior League - Monkstown v Corinthians, 1.30, Rathdown; UCD v Railway Union, postponed; YMCA v Glenanne, 1pm, Claremont Road; Fingal v Three Rock Rovers, 1pm, ALSAA.

Ulster Senior League - Instonians v Raphoe, 1pm, Shaws Bridge; Lisnagarvey v Banbridge, 2.30, Hillsborough; Mossley v Annadale, 2.30, The Glade; Cookstown v Bangor, 2.30, Coolnafranky.

Munster Peard Cup - C of I v Harlequins, noon, Garryduff; Harlequins B v C of I B, 3pm, Farmers Cross.