Terry Gregg and Peter McCabe's six-year reign as coach and assistant coach of the Irish women's team came to an end yesterday with the announcement of their resignation by the Irish Ladies' Hockey Union.

With the European Cup Qualifying Tournament in Finland just nine months away, Gregg feels the "introduction of a fresh voice at this stage will encourage the players to put in the necessary effort" for the campaign, when they will hope to qualify for the 1999 European Nations Cup in Germany. Ironically it was also confirmed yesterday that Ireland have won a place in the 1999 Olympic Qualifying tournament, one of the targets set by Gregg for the team when they played in August's World Cup Qualifying tournament.

An eighth place finish in Zimbabwe was not enough to earn a spot in next summer's World Cup finals in Utrecht but sufficient for a place in Milton Keynes, now that the Olympic qualifier has been expanded to include 10 teams.

Sarah Kelleher, who captained Ireland in the 1994 World Cup finals in Dublin, paid tribute yesterday to Gregg and McCabe. "I've been involved with Terry and Peter since they took over 1991 and we went to New Zealand for the pre-Olympic Qualifying tournament, so we go back a long way. Throughout my career I've learnt a tremendous amount from both of them and have the utmost respect for them.

"It's been a great experience working with the two of them and I think everyone's game has improved in that time. It's been a long road, they put in so much work and effort, they deserve their rest now," added Kelleher.

Gregg and McCabe have insisted that they do not wish to sever their ties with the ILHU and hope to work with coaches around the country, passing on the benefits of their experience at international level over the past six years. The ILHU must now get down to the business of finding successors to Gregg and McCabe. The name of Leinster coach Fintan Butler regularly cropped up in an early canvass of opinion amongst players and club coaches, but many also expressed a wish to see the appointment of a coach from abroad.

Irish Junior Cup (first round draw): Portadown II v Glenanne II; Parkview v Enniscorthy; Collegians II v Pembroke Wanderers II; Galway II v Old Alexandra II; Kilkenny v UCC II; UCG II v Wexford; North Kildare v Pegasus II; Ashton v Church of Ireland II. Ties to be played on Saturday, November 1.