Ireland squad all set for Chile job

WOMEN’S HOCKEY: AFTER THEIR final training camp at Belfield tomorrow the Ireland squad sets off for Chile on Sunday, six days…

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:AFTER THEIR final training camp at Belfield tomorrow the Ireland squad sets off for Chile on Sunday, six days ahead of their opening game against Scotland in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Santiago.

Any notion that over-confidence might see Australia, who are firm favourites to win the event, send a largely youthful squad to Chile was quashed when their coach, Frank Murray, opted for “experience and strength”, insisting that the world’s fifth-ranked team would take no chances in the tournament.

Only one of the five teams in Chile will qualify for August’s World Cup finals in Argentina, with Ireland likely to be vying with Scotland for a place in Sunday week’s final against, most probably, the Australians. Malaysia and the hosts complete the line-up.

Back home, Cork Harlequins should take a giant stride towards winning their 15th successive Munster title when they play bottom club University of Limerick tomorrow in their penultimate league fixture.

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Harlequins took four points from their double-header against leaders UCC last weekend, lifting them to within two points of the students but with a game in hand. Two points further back are Catholic Institute, who play UCC tomorrow before meeting Harlequins on Saturday week in what could be the title decider.

Leinster League – Division One – Tomorrow:Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra, Serpentine Avenue, 12.45; Loreto v Glenanne, Beaufort, 2pm.

Munster League – Division One – Tomorrow:Ashton v Church of Ireland, Ashton, 12.30; Catholic Institute v UCC, Rosbrien, 12.30; Univ of Limerick v Cork Harlequins, Univ of Limerick, 1.30.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times