Worth the wait for hockey history

IRISH are not renowned for our time keeping. And true to form the Irish Ladies' Hockey are launching their centenary book today two years late.

"Staging the World Cup in writing of the book by some time," said Irene Johnston, for president of the ILHU and administrator of the union.

The book, The First Hundred Years 1894-1994, commemorates not only the founding of the ILHU but also the first ever men's hockey union.

The book discusses all the events in the union's history in 14 chapters. It also focuses on the personalities who excelled in their positions and playing careers. It has a fascinating chapter, too, on the changing fashions over the last hundred years.

As regards the first women's international ever played between England and Ireland in 1896, The Irish Times reported that "when the teams took up their positions they made a pretty scene . .. . as the colours mingled and co mingled during the course of the match, the spectacle was quite animating, not to say charming."

The Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi finals are scheduled for tomorrow at UCD. Loreto, Bray, who beat the holders Loreto, Dalkey in the quarter finals, meet Wesley, while Newpark face High School.