Black returns to Irish fold for Argentina showdown

Ireland senior men’s interim coach Dave Passmore believes the young players in his squad will be in for a serious test as they take on Argentina in the first of an international double-header at Belfield tonight (7.30pm). Passmore has named two panels for the games, with the second taking place tomorrow at Serpentine Avenue (12pm), and has named Ronan Gormley and Mark Black – who returns to the squad after a seven-month absence – as co-captains, even though both are carrying injuries. “This is a great opportunity for some of the younger players to come in and compete against a top side such as Argentina,” said Passmore.

“These games will be tough and fast-paced, and the Argentineans will be out to settle a score after Ireland defeated them in the Olympic qualifiers earlier this year. These matches will provide challenging and entertaining hockey.” Passmore has opted for a more experienced lineup for tonight’s encounter, with old hands Stephen Butler, Graham Shaw, Karl Burns and Timmy Cockram all involved. That quartet will make way tomorrow for Conor Harte, Joe Brennan, Geoff McCabe, David Ames and Annadale’s Peter Caruth, who may make his international bow. Harte and McCabe are among a number of players in the squad who will be playing their fifth or sixth match in four days, having featured in regular Ulster and Leinster league action on Saturday before joining up with their respective colleges at the intervarsities in Kilkenny. Argentina’s squad for the games is, predictably, entirely comprised of European-based players, though it remains to be seen how big a part Matias Cammareri plays, given he is in EHL action with Rotterdam this weekend. By contrast, Ireland’s Three Rock Rovers contingent have been excused from international duty this week, to allow unbroken preparation for the club’s EHL campaign. IRELAND (Squad v Argentina, Tonight, UCD, 7.30pm): D Harte (GK, Pembroke Wanderers), K Black (Cookstown), K Burns (Cork C of I), T Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers), R Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers, capt), J Jackson (Loughborough), M Black (Cork Harlequins), G Shaw (Glenanne), S Butler (Glenanne), J Jermyn (Cork C of I), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), E Magee (Banbridge), T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), M Watt (Grange HC), A Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers), J Lynch (Lisnagarvey).  Reserves: I Walker (GK, YMCA), D Ames (Cookstown). (Squad v Argentina, Tomorrow, Pembroke Wanderers, 12.0pm): D Harte (GK, Pembroke Wanderers), I Walker (GK, YMCA), J Brennan  (Glenanne), K Black (Cookstown), T Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers), R Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers, capt), C Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), J Jackson (Loughborough), M Black (Cork Harlequins), J Jermyn (Cork C of I), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), G McCabe (Banbridge), D Ames (Cookstown), E Magee (Banbridge), P Caruth (Annadale), M Watt (Grange HC), A Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers). Reserve: J Lynch (Lisnagarvey).