Revington sticks with tried and tested for 2009

Incoming Ireland senior men’s coach Paul Revington yesterday announced a 26-strong panel that will form the basis of his team for what is shaping up to be an incredibly busy 2009. As well as tackling the EuroHockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham, Ireland will also host the inaugural Champions Challenge II, visit Vienna for the Four Nations Tournament and partake in the Celtic Cup next summer. The 35-year-old South African, who officially takes the reigns in January, ran the rule over more than 30 players during a three-game series against Scotland in Banbridge last month.

There are few surprises in the squad, though Cookstown’s Keith Black and David Ames, along with Joe Brennan of Glenanne, will feel more secure of their places now having been introduced by previous incumbent Dave Passmore earlier this year. Revington has also included four goalkeepers, with Cork C of I’s Mark Ruddle and Banbridge’s Gareth Lennox joining regular shot-stoppers David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers) and Iain Walker (YMCA). The former Springbok coach looks set to wait until he has had some time with the players to select his captain. Pembroke’s Ronan Gormley has skippered the side since the retirement of veteran defender Paddy Brown last year, with Cork Harlequins’ Mark Black also filling the role. Revington has, however, confirmed his management team, with compatriot Craig Fulton staying on as his right-hand man, while Glenanne and Old Alex head hencho Arul Anthoni is brought in as assistant coach. Peter Jackson – whose son John is one of two foreign-based players included in the squad – is named as manager in place of Steven Hiles, who moves into a strategic management role. The management team will be reviewed after the first 12 months. “The squad is very well balanced,” said Revington. “(It) contains a healthy mix of youth and experience, with experienced players in key areas of the field, exciting attacking and goal-scoring options and high-quality goalkeepers.” He also announced a 16-strong Ireland A squad, which includes Cork natives Jason Lynch, Adam Pritchard and Jonny Bruton – who scored on his full international debut against the Scots – plus a few new members in the form of Cookstown’s Stuart Smyth, YMCA’s David Robinson and Diarmuid Reay of Banbridge. “The Ireland A squad will be the responsibility of the Irish senior team’s coaching staff, with the aim of ensuring the respective players follow a path that eventually turns them into quality international hockey players. I am looking forward to stepping onto the pitch with both squads in January.” Ireland senior men’s squad for 2009: D Harte (GK, Pembroke Wanderers), I Walker (GK, YMCA), M Ruddle (GK, Cork C of I), G Lennox (GK, Banbridge), R Gormley, T Lewis, A Sothern, C Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), J Brennan, S Butler, G Shaw (Glenanne), K Burns, J Jermyn, D Hobbs (Cork C of I), K Black, D Ames (Cookstown), M Black (Cork Harlequins), G McCabe, E Magee (Banbridge), M Darling, A McConnell, P Maguire (Three Rock Rovers), J Jackson (Loughborough Students), M Watt (Grange), T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), M Gleghorne (Instonians). Ireland A squad for 2009: D Fitzgerald (GK, Monkstown), S O’Keeffe (GK, UCD) A Pritchard, J Bruton (Cork C of I) P Caruth, J Quigley (Annadale), C Donaldson, S Smyth (Cookstown), S Todd (Mossley), P Gleghorne (Loughborough Students), D Robinson (YMCA), S Todd (Mossley), D Reay, B McCandless (Banbridge), P Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers), J Lynch (Lisnagarvey).