THE Irish Hockey Association yesterday gave the green light to controversial plans to centralise the women’s senior hockey team in Dublin for 10 months. The IHA board has given their approval to a Central Preparation Programme (CPP), which the national body say will “facilitate a core, intensive preparation program” in a bid to qualify for the Olympics in London in 2012.
A spectacular last-ditch comeback ensured Ireland saved their three-game series against France with a 3-3 draw at Coolafranky last night.
Gene Muller believes Ireland are on an upward trajectory, despite finishing a punishing series of six matches in 10 days with a 4-1 loss to Australia at Belfield on Saturday.
Ireland senior women’s coach Gene Muller praised the efforts of Cork Harlequins defender Sinead McCarthy (above) as she impressed on her international debut against Australia at UCD yesterday, which resulted in a 1-0 loss for the hosts. Meanwhile, there were mixed fortunes for the Irish U18 sides in their three-game series against Belgium.
Ireland’s senior teams endured wildly contrasting fortunes yesterday, as the men routed hosts France 7-0 to retain the Celtic Cup at Le Touquet, while the women were humbled 6-0 by India at the Four Nations in Germany. The U18 boys, however, completed a three-game series whitewash of Scotland in which Nick Burns (above) starred.
Timmy Cockram’s (above) late strike secured a 3-1 Celtic Cup win for Ireland over hosts France, while the Irish women went down 4-0 to Australia at the Four Nations in Germany and the U18 boys thumped Scotland 5-1.