MEN'S HOCKEY:IRELAND WILL face a tough opening match in their World Cup qualifying tournament in Argentina tomorrow. Coach Paul Ervington's side face the USA, who at a ranking of 19 in the world, are rated just one place below Ireland. Ireland also meet the Americans without Glenanne's Joe Brennan, who has not recovered from a thumb injury and Cork's David Hobbs, who is also struggling with an ongoing injury.
Dublin club, Pembroke Wanders, have the biggest representation with five players in the squad, including team captain Ronan Gormley.
While the possibility was always there that the two players were doubtful, it's a blow to the Irish team, who must win the competition if they are to qualify for the next World Cup finals in New Delhi, India in 2010.
Cookstown's David Ames replaces Hobbs while Brennan's place is taken by Annadale's Peter Caruth.
Ireland departed after losing to European champions England in the first of two friendly matches and drawing the second.
With just a day's rest, Ireland line up against 27th-ranked Chile in their second pool match. Favourites for those opening games, the third match in the pool will be pivotal to Irish hopes.
Following a rest day on Monday, the Irish side play the top seeds, Belgium, who are ranked at nine in the world and then meet must hosts Argentina, who are ranked at 10 in the world.
Although Belgium are top seeds, the home side will enjoy the tag of favourites to win outright.
Veteran penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas scored twice as Pakistan thrashed Japan 3-1 in the finals of a qualifying tournament in Lille to book a berth in India.
Pakistan joined Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, South Africa and Spain in clinching a spot.
There are just two more spots remaining and they will go to the winner of the second qualifying event, currently underway in Invercargill, New Zealand and the winners of the group in Argentina.
Lowdown on Argentina
IRISH SQUAD: S Butler(Glenanne), P Caruth(Annadale), T Cockram(Lisnagarvey); M Darling(Leuven); P Gleghorne(Loughborough); R Gormley(C) (Pembroke Wanderers); C Harte(Pembroke Wanderers); D Harte GK(Pembroke Wanderers); D Ames(Cookstown); J Jackson(Loughborough Uni); J Jermyn(Cork C of I); T Lewis(Pembroke Wanderers); E Magee(Dragons); G McCabe(Dragons); G Shaw(Glenanne); A Sothern(Pembroke Wanderers); I Walker(YMCA); M Watt(Dragons).
MATCH SCHEDULE - Saturday 14th- Ireland v USA 13.05 (local) 10.05 (Irish). Sunday 15th- Ireland v Chile 11.05(local) 8.05 (Irish). Monday 16th- Rest day. Tuesday 17th- Ireland v Belgium 16.45 (local) 13.45 (Irish). Wednesday 18th- Rest day. Thursday 19th- Ireland v Czech Republic 16.45 (local) 13.45 (Irish). Friday 20th- Rest day. Saturday 21st - Ireland v Argentina 15.05 (local) 12.05 (Irish). Sunday 22nd- Finals.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Leinster Senior League: Division One:Railway Union v UCD 3.00, Park Avenue; Clontarf v YMCA, 2.00, Mount Temple; TRR v Corinthians, 1.30, Grange Road. Division Two:Weston v Trinity, 2.00 Griffeen Valley; Bray v Navan, 1.00 Loreto Bray; Avoca v Suttonians, 1.45 Newpark.
