Women's Hockey:Ireland's preparations for next April's Olympic qualifying tournament continue in Scotland over the weekend where they will play three matches against their hosts in Stirling.
Coach Gene Muller has named a strong squad for the games, including all of his most experienced players, among them Ciara O'Brien, Eimear Cregan and Bridget McKeever, who is now just seven caps away from joining O'Brien and Cregan in the "century club".
Muller learnt this week of a change in Ireland's pool for the Qualifier, with Cuba having to withdraw from the tournament for financial reasons, their place going to Uruguay. The South Americans are, in fact, ranked six places above the Cubans, at 27, but still well below Ireland (14).
Also confirmed is Ireland's trip to South Africa, Muller's homeland, early in the new year, with several games against the hosts planned. The Dutch under-21 squad will be in South Africa at the same time and may provide Ireland with extra practice matches.
Back home there are just three first division matches scheduled in Leinster, with Loreto, who play Three Rock, hoping to make up some ground on Railway Union, who stretched their lead at the top of the table on Monday night with a 4-1 win over Corinthian.
Trinity are Corinthian's opponents tomorrow, while Old Alexandra will attempt to bounce back from their Irish Senior Cup defeat when they meet Genesis.
IRELAND SQUAD: M Goode (Pembroke Wanderers), E Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), L Healy (Loreto), C McKean (Loreto), N Symmons (Loreto), E Clarke (Randalstown), S McCay (Randalstown), C Parkhill (Randalstown), E Cregan (Cork Harlequins), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), R Flinn (UCD), L Jacob (UCD), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), B McKeever (Ballymoney), R Mulligan (Armagh), S Quinn (Armagh), E Stewart (Armagh), C O'Brien (Chelmsford).
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today - Internationals: Scotland v Ireland, Stirling, 6pm. Tomorrow: Scotland v Ireland, Stirling, 3pm. Irish Junior Cup - First round: Belfast Harlequins II v UUJ, Deramore, 1pm; Lisnagarvey II v Randalstown II, Hillsborough, 1pm; Ards II v Pegasus II, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30; Newry v Portadown II, Edenvilla, 2.30; Omagh II v Banbridge, Campsie, 2.30; Priorians II v Knock II, St Columb's Park, 1pm; Annadale v Armagh II, Wellington Park, 2.30; Lurgan II v Parkview, Craigavon, 2.30; Old Alexandra II v Newbridge, Mount Anville, 2.30; Our Lady's Terenure v Corinthian II, Terenure, 2.15; Hermes II v Fingal, Booterstown, 3.30; Naas v Three Rock II, Carragh Road, 1.30; North Kildare v Loreto II, King's Hospital, 1.30; Weston v Clontarf, Weston, 2.15; Glenanne v Diocesan, Tallaght, 1.30; Muckross v Genesis II, Teresians School, 2pm; Skerries v Pembroke Wanderers II, Skerries, 2.30; Avoca v Suttonians, Newpark, 1.30; UCD II v Railway Union II, Belfield, noon; Bray v Trinity II, Bray, 1.15; Galway v Cork Harlequins II, Dangan, noon; Waterford v Kilkenny, Newtown School, 2pm; UCC II v Wexford, Mardyke, 1pm; Greenfields v Catholic Institute, Mervue, noon. Leinster League - Division One: Trinity v Corinthian, Santry, 10.30; Old Alexandra v Genesis, Booterstown, noon; Loreto v Three Rock, Beaufort, 4.30. Munster League - Division One: Univ of Limerick v Church of Ireland, Limerick. 1pm. Sunday: International: Scotland v Ireland, Stirling, 11am. Irish Junior Cup - First round: NUIG V Fermoy, Dangan, 1pm.
