MIDFIELDER Robbie Ryan, who missed Ireland's misfortunes in Malaysia because of illness, is also out of the Avoca squad for the European Cup Winners' Cup A division tournament in Reading at Easter. He has not fully recovered from the virus which has afflicted him for two months and has prevented him from regaining fitness.
Ryan, who scored the decisive goal in Avoca's 3-2 defeat of Lisnagarvey in the Irish Senior Cup final last season, is one of five prominent medallists who will not be travelling to Reading. The others are the captain, Peter Darley (also ruled out by illness), Mark Cullen (retired), Brian Ganly (in London) and Philip Sarratt (unavailable for first-team involvement).
With the withdrawal of Ryan, Stephen Mitchell becomes the seventh player from the successful second XI (in the Irish Junior Cup final against Harlequins Il on April 19th) to join the senior party.
The team will be strengthened by New Zealand international Paul Derham, who came to Avoca at Christmas, while Ireland defender Colin Hade, though just back from Kuala Lumpur, will also be ready to play in the opening match on Good Friday against Gladbacher HTC.
The powerful German side is expected to include Christoph Bechmann (at present playing in the Champions' Trophy tournament in Karachi) whose brother, Mattheas, is the Three Rock Rovers player-coach.
