MEN'S HOCKEY:Ireland's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Malaysia earlier in the week may not seem that important on the face of it. But given the humidity and given they faded at the end there should be some cause for concern for new Ireland coach Andrew Meredith.
Ireland’s concentration probably fell in the last few minutes of what would have been an historic Olympic qualifying win in Belfield last summer against Korea. Late goals, essentially, cost Ireland a place in London 2012 – the final one sharper concentration at a set-piece free could have kept out.
This week hosts Malaysia finally broke through the Irish defence for the third time with only four minutes remaining in their final warm-up to wrap up a 3-1 victory.
Ireland face into their first World League match on Monday against Bangladesh. While it might not be 82 per cent humidity in New Delhi as it was in Malaysia, it probably won’t be much different. One way or another the climate will be hostile. While Bangladesh will not be seen as a threat, according to their ranking of 40 compared with Ireland’s 15, a win is not only expected but a must to make this tournament a worthwhile venture.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today – EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Challenge I: Three Rock Rovers v Triglav Predanovci (Slovakia), 11.40am; Three Rock Rovers v HC Bra (Italy), 3.30pm.
Saturday: EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Challenge I: Three Rock Rovers v Orient Lyngby (Denmark), 9am. Leinster Senior League, Division One – Glenanne v Avoca, Glenanne Park, 12pm; Corinthians v Fingal, Whitechurch, 1pm; Railway Union v YMCA, Park Avenue, 12pm. Division Two – Dublin University v Weston, Grange Road, 2pm; Suttonians v Rathgar, tbc; Kilkenny v Clontarf, Kilkenny College, 1.30pm. Irish Hockey Challenge, semi-final: Cliftonville v Ballymena, Cliftonville, 2.30pm.
Sunday: EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Challenge I: Classification matches. Irish Hockey Challenge, semi final: Catholic Institute A v PSNI, Rosbrien, 1pm.
