Hockey: The Irish coach Dave Passmore has finally reduced his squad for the forthcoming European Championship Trophy to 18 players, having brought 19 to the recent series of warm-up matches against Rome in Italy.

The youngest of the three goalkeepers, Charlie Henderson, finally lost out to the experience of Cork Harlequins's Wesley Bateman and Pembroke's Nigel Henderson for the final goalkeeping berth. All three goalkeepers had travelled for the two games last weekend and all played without incurring injury (Ireland drew the first match 4-4 and won the second 4-3).

Passmore takes a relatively experienced side with him. Fourteen of the final squad played in the Barcelona championships of two years ago but could not finish in the top six and were relegated to the second stream of European competition. The expectations are for Ireland to win their group in Rome and gain promotion back to the higher group along with the tops sides like Germany, Holland and Spain.

There are four players making their debut at European level, Lisnagarvey's Brian Waring, Loughborough's Mark Gleghorn, Annadale's Iain Lewers and Mark Black, who had cruciate knee trouble and did not travel to the last championships.

Nigel Buttimer and Errol Lutton have both retired while Chris Jackson and John Jermyn are both on breaks from the game, Jermyn is studying.

"We were very fortunate to have three goalkeepers all in good form," said Passmore.

"Charlie Henderson was unlucky to miss out but has made significant progress this year that will enable him to play a part in Ireland's future following the tournament in Rome."

Both Mark Black and David Hobbs are expected to reach the 50-cap mark over the week's play, which will involve Ireland playing five matches, three in their group against Belarus, Wales and Russia, and two more in the classification cross-over games.

Winning the competition would also earn the Irish side a place in next year's World Cup qualification tournament in China.

IRISH SQUAD: W Bateman (Cork Harlequins), A Barbour (Cookstown), M Black, J Black (Both Cork Harlequins), P Brown (Instonians), K Burns (C of I), S Butler (Glenanne), G Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers), M Gleghorn (Loughborough Uni.), N Henderson (GK, Pembroke), D Hobbs (C of I), M Irwin (Instonians), I Lewers (Annadale), M Raphael (Lisnagarvey), G Shaw (Annadale), J Sherriff (Pembroke), D Smyth (Annadale), B Waring (Lisnagarvey).

Manager: N Hiles. Coach: D Passmore.