MENS HOCKEY/Ireland squad news: On the back of Ireland's recent four-nations tournament in Egypt, where they came second behind winners Poland, the men's national coach Dave Passmore takes his squad to Paris to face France in three Test matches.
Today's first match is significant in that Irish captain Patrick Brown is expected to earn his 100th cap. The team will complete their preparation for next month's World Cup Qualifier in China with two more fixtures against the French on home soil, the first on St Patrick's Day at Three Rock Rovers HC at 6pm. The second match will be played as a curtain-raiser to the men's Irish Senior Cup final at 11am on Sunday, March 19th, in Belfield.
Cookstown's Andy Barbour and Cork C of I's Karl Burns, however, are both recovering from hamstring injuries, Barbour having picked up his injury in Cairo last week. But a few other names are available. Ireland's top goalscorer and with 73 caps also one of the team's most experienced players, Stephen Butler is back in the squad after work commitments ruled him out of the Egypt tournament, while goalkeeper Charlie Henderson also makes a return.
"Karl will remain in Ireland to continue with his rehabilitation but it is hoped he will be fit for the matches in Dublin while Andy will travel with the squad but whether or not he will be fit to play is still uncertain" said Passmore. "With Gareth Lennox not selected, Charlie Henderson returns to goalkeeping duties, after a work-related accident ruled him out of the Egypt trip."
Henderson suffered concussion after the work accident, which ruled him out of hockey. His older brother Nigel stepped in as a late replacement despite announcing his retirement after Ireland's European Championship win last September.
"It is an ideal time to have three testing matches, especially as our players have had a little time to recover since Egypt. This is the final opportunity for players to make a claim for a place in the squad for China," Passmore said.
"There were some indifferent team and individual performances in Cairo and we will be looking for greater consistency from all."
IRELAND: A Barbour (Cookstown, 50 caps); M Black (Cork Harlequins, 61 caps); J Black (Cork Harlequins, 92 caps); P Brown (Instonians, 99 caps); S Butler (Glenanne, 87 caps); T Cockram (Lisnagarvey, 22 caps); M Gleghorne (Loughborough Uni, 32 caps); R Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers, 14 caps); C Henderson (GK - Corinthians, 19 caps); D Hobbs (Cork C of I, 62 caps); M Irwin (Instonians, 83 caps); J Jermyn (Cork C of I, 28 caps); I Lewers (Annadale 34 caps); E Magee (Banbridge, 14 caps); P Maguire (Dublin Uni, 18 caps); M Ruddle (GK - Cork C of I, 4 caps); G Shaw (Glenanne, 73 caps); J Sherriff (Pembroke 80 caps, 45 goals)
FIXTURES (Saturday) Leinster Senior League: Division 1 - Corinthians v Railway Union 2.00pm Whitechurch Park ; Pembroke Wanderers v Avoca 2.00pm Serpentine Ave; YMCA v Glenanne 1.00pm Claremont Road; Fingal v Dublin University 1:30pm ALSAA. Division 2 - Skerries v Naas 2.15pm Skerries; Kilkenny v Suttonians 1.00pm Kilkenny College; Bray v UCD 2.45pm (tbc) Bray; Weston v Clontarf 3.45pm, King's Hospital. Munster Senior League: Division One - Catholic Institute A v Church of Ireland B, Rosbrien 2.00; Bandon A v Church of Ireland A, Bandon, 2.30; Harlequins 1st Belvedere A, Ballincollig 12.00; Harlequins 2nds v UCC A, Mardyke 11.30. (Sunday) Leinster Senior League: Division 1 - Pembroke v Railway Union 1.15pm Serpentine Ave; TRR v Monkstown 1.30pm, Grange Road.
