A BRIGHTER future for Irish hockey was signalled at Blaris yesterday when a Rest of Ireland selection beat an Ulster side 5-3 in an under-21 challenge match.

As part of the Ulster Branch's centenary celebrations, the country's young players produced a cracking game. A talented team can certainly be fielded in the Four Nations junior tournament at Milton Keynes in August, and in two under-21 internationals against Argentina in Dublin on September 13th and 14th.

Captained by Munster defender Jason Black, the southern selection attacked with admirable verve and were rewarded with a hat trick by Just in Sherriff after two finely struck earlier goals by Simon Kershaw. In reply, Ulster's most accomplished player, Brian Waring, also scored a hat trick, making it 3-2 at one stage.

However, there was no one to match Sherriff's finishing power, particularly his reverse-stick final score from a deft touch-on by Cliff Bailey.

Staying on a youthful theme, Leinster hockey will have a fresh dimension next season with two university sides in the Premier Division for the first time. Trinity, with a handsome 4-0 win over Aer Lingus in the second division promotion play-off at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday, join UCD and will soon have an astroturf pitch at Santry to satisfy requirements.

"It's most encouraging," said Dublin University Hockey Club president Marcus Webb. "The incentive is certainly back again to play for one's college rather than a club side.

Indeed, the commitment has brought its rewards for half a dozen or so players on the Trinity team who have had connections with Three Rock Rovers. Michael Brett, the captain, and Jason Milne were particularly strong on Saturday, with Stephen Bredin and Greg Dunne also emerging as forceful players.

It took some time, though, to break the Aer Lingus resistance, in which Derry Hallinan was most resolute. The first goal did not come until just before the interval when Alistair Cullen scored following a short corner. Brett, Dunne and Gareth Hinds also scored from set-pieces in the 55th, 57th and 62nd, minutes.

"Our patience paid off," said coach Ian Walker.

Earlier at the same venue, Suttonians eventually won the Intermediate Cup, beating South East Wanderers 1-0 in an absorbing replay. John Sutton defied Suttonians until, well into the second half Colin O'Hare delivered a free for his skipper, George Nish, to put away the winner.