A remarkable fundraising drive by the Irish hockey community – which saw more than €60,000 raised in less than five days – had a happy ending as Ireland’s participation in next month’s men’s Champions Challenge I in Argentina was confirmed yesterday.
Rankings, stats, saturation TV coverage and the minor problem of having a camera shoved in your face straight after a game – our resident diarist Rebecca Barry gives an insider’s take on the intensity of collegiate sports in America.
Ireland were left thankful for what one wag termed “The 50 Saves of Gray” as they claimed a brilliant bronze at the Champions Challenge I tournament in Dublin yesterday.
The skippers of UCC, Cork C of I and Cork Harlequins all scored twice in comfortable wins in the women’s Division 1, while there was almost a big shock in the men’s league.
The focus turned to fundraising yesterday after the Irish Hockey Association’s board made an “unreserved apology” to the national senior men’s team and its supporters over a row that engulfed the sport this week.
Cork Harlequins should get a measure of where their 2012/13 campaign is heading as they face a tricky trip to Ashton tomorrow (12.30pm).