Top-quality opposition will provide a major test

Women's HockeyWith just five weeks to go before the European Championships get under way at Belfield, the Irish hockey team is on its travels again, this time to Germany for a four nations tournament featuring the hosts, the Netherlands and Scotland.

Germany are the reigning Olympic champions while the Netherlands, the European champions, are the top ranked side in the world, so, once again, Riet Kuper's side will come up against the strongest possible opposition as it builds towards August.

Kuper has made four changes to the squad she selected for the KT Cup in Korea last month, one of them enforced (Jill Orbinson's shoulder injury ruled her out).

Kristin Farrell (Waterford), Katharine Maybin (Pegasus), Emma Stewart (Armagh) and Cathy McKean (Loreto) come in after missing the trip to Seoul, replacing Orbinson, Suzanne Beaney, Jill Hodgins and Linda O'Neill.

"This offers new developing players a chance to prove themselves for the Europeans," said Kuper. "This is another excellent opportunity for the players to gain experience against the world's top hockey teams, play high quality matches and increase our chances of a good result in August."

Ireland open their tournament against Holland today, before playing Germany tomorrow and Scotland on Sunday. Vice-captain Jenny Burke will reach the 150 cap mark in the tournament while goalkeeper Angela Platt will reach her half century of caps.

IRISH SQUAD

E Stewart (Armagh); L McVicker (capt), A Platt, B McKeever (both Ballymoney); J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins); D Casey (Church of Ireland); F Connery, L Caulfield, C Carey, J Burke (all Hermes); C McKean, N Symmons (both Loreto); K Maybin (Pegasus); M Goode (Pembroke Wanderers); C O'Brien (Railway Union); C Parkhill (Randalstown); E Cregan (Univ of Limerick); K Farrell (Waterford).

FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT

(at Bremen)

Today: Holland v Ireland, 5.0; Germany v Scotland, 7.15. Tomorrow: Holland v Scotland, 2.30; Ireland v Germany, 5.0. Sunday: Ireland v Scotland, 10.0; Germany v Holland, 12.30.