MENS HOCKEY:For those not in the loop, Ireland completed their programme of matches in South Africa last week, beating the hosts 2-1, which was an encouraging result (although we don't know exactly what sort of team the South African's put out) and losing to Spain 3-2.

The defeat to Spain was particularly galling as they hit the winner in the 69th minute after Graham Shaw was harshly yellow carded. From the resultant free, Spain scored their winner with just 17 seconds on the clock.

"Sport can be cruel, this was a hard lesson but one which we will go stronger from. We struggled in the first half in 36 degrees heat and from nine days of hard training, however, we managed to find some inner strength in the second period," said Irish coach Dave Passmore afterwards.

From what is coming back, it seems Ireland should be content enough with preparations towards their build up to the European Championships this year in Manchester.

However, the Spanish goal to win the match late in the day is an aspect of international hockey that has haunted Ireland for many years. How many matches have an Irish team lost to a late goal or a bad decision or a stroke of ill fortune? Rarely do Ireland beat teams ranked higher than themselves by similarly lucky incidents.

In the European Championships, the side is going to have to beat teams ranked higher than they are, including the Spanish, and if anything the coaching job is to work out how to convert the narrow margins in Ireland's favour.

The difference there is very often the difference between a potential medal position or a play-off in one of the relegation matches way down the field.

What people will also question is why established players such as Paddy Brown, Shaw, Mark Irwin and Stephen Butler (who was not there for the full tour) were involved in the camp, given the well-documented problems with players getting time off work.

So, while the first outing of the New Year will have encouraged Passmore, the understandable defections of Andy Barbour, Iain Lewers and to a lesser extent Butler, as well as the ability to lose the tight game, will concentrate minds.

A lot done but more to do probably sums it up.

FIXTURES

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE

Division One: DUHC v YMCA 2.00pm Santry; Bray v Corinthians 2.45pm Bray; Glenanne v Fingal 3.45pm Glenanne Park; Pembroke v Monkstown 3.30pm Serpentine Avenue; Railway Union v TRR 1.30pm Park Avenue. Division 2: Navan v PSBPP 12.00 noon Sportslink; Avoca v Weston 12.45pm Kings Hospital; UCD v Suttonians 1.00pm Belfield; Clontarf v Kilkenny 2.00pm Mount Temple; Skerries v Naas 1.15pm Skerries.

Sunday, January 22nd: Neville Davin Cup match; PSBPP v UCD 1.00pm DCU.