Ireland were left frustrated as they ended the first Four Nations tournament in Argentina with a fourth place finish despite losing just once in normal time and putting it up to the world champions on Saturday evening.
UCC’s resources will be stretched as they double up this weekend, meeting Cork C of I B in league action before tackling Cork Harlequins in a Peard Cup semi-final 24 hours later.
Megan Frazer looks set to answer Ireland’s call once more after being named as America’s best university field hockey player.
Mystery again surrounds the future of Irish hockey’s interprovincial tournaments after the Irish Hockey Association (IHA) confirmed the senior and junior tournaments will not take place during the 2011/12 season.
Jason Lynch has been given a renewed vote of confidence by national coach Paul Revington after he was named in a 24-man core Irish squad in the run-up to March’s Olympic qualifiers.
Stephen Sweetnam (pictured above) and Melvin Beamish got the vital goals as their Cork C of I and Bandon sides advanced in the Irish Junior Cup, but UCC crashed out after losing a seven-goal thriller in Kilkeel. C of I, Bandon, Cork Harlequins and Catholic Institute all notched notable wins in the women’s competition to go into the mix for round two in the new year.