Rovers return to third tier despite Turkish travails

Three Rock Rovers’ Turkish travails ended on a high yesterday after they earned promotion for Ireland back to European indoor hockey’s third tier.

Having fundraised extensively to pay for the 3,700km trip to Malatya, eastern Turkey, the Dublin side had to borrow sticks and goalkeeper gear from opponents for their opening game at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champion’s Challenge II after it failed to arrive. That left netminder Stephen West playing in mismatched protective equipment that had to be sellotaped together, while the side were donated just seven sticks so had to swap them with oncoming players when they were substituted. Despite these obstacles, and an opening day 4-2 defeat to Norwegian champions Sangene, an under-strength Rovers eked out two wins and two draws in a hostile atmosphere generated by supporters of hosts Anadolu Atesi, who were also promoted. Ross Canning, Peter McConnell and South African Jody Hosking starred for the hosts, who included former Midleton College man Craig Moore in their squad and made light of the absence of Irish outdoor internationals Phelie Maguire, Michael Maguire and Peter Blakeney. EuroHockey Indoor Club Champion’s Challenge II, Malatya, Turkey (Irish results only) Three Rock Rovers 6 (R Canning 3, J Hosking 2, G Ringwood) Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia (Bulgaria) 1; ABC Team (Finland) 2 Three Rock Rovers 5 (P McConnell 3, J Hosking, G Ringwood); Anadolu Atesi (Turkey) 3 Three Rock Rovers 3 (P McConnell, G Ringwood, R Canning); Three Rock Rovers 2 (C Huet, J Hosking) Sagene (Norway) 4; Three Rock Rovers 13 (J Hosking 4, R Canning 3, A White 2, G Ringwood 2, S Findlater, C Moore) Adjaria, Batumi HT (Georgia) 1. *TRR finish 2nd and earn promotion to European C division next season.