HOCKEY:Typically in hockey, the Easter weekend is a busy one. Internationally, the Ireland team travel to a number of countries in Europe, while at club level, Cork Harlequins are in Prague on European Championship duty. As a result of Harlequins' commitments, Ireland coach Dave Passmore is without Jason and Mark Black and Sean Nicholson, while David Hobbs and Gareth Lennox are injured and Geoff McCabe is being rested.
The senior squad, however, will not have an easy time as they face matches against a number of top sides, including the world champions, Germany.
The first, against Argentina, who are ranked seventh in the world, resulted in a 6-2 defeat late last night in Amsterdam. Ireland had last played the South American side in 1997 at the World Cup qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, losing 9-1.
Ireland play Belgium in Antwerp today and finally meet the world champions in Mönchengladbach for a friendly match on Sunday and a Test match on Easter Monday.
Both the physical demands and the quality of the opposition are expected to produce a difficult run of tests.
"This is a tough schedule, particularly given the travel we are undertaking in order to play these nations," said Passmore. "The opportunity to play the world champions is a good one. The change in style will be good for us to experience."
Two Ulster players, Cookstown's Andy Barbour and Annadale's Ian Lewers, flew out to join the Ireland squad late as they were on club duty when Cookstown took on Annadale in the Ulster League decider on Wednesday night at Coolnafranky.
Annadale clinched the title for the fifth consecutive year with a 2-1 victory, Davy Smyth and Peter Caruth hitting the winning goals. It was the first time in over 50 that this feat has been achieved in the Ulster League.
In the Czech Republic, Cork Harlequins face home side SK Slavia Prague today before meeting Scotland's Western Wildcats on Saturday in the European Cup Winners Trophy.
The Irish side's final pool game is against Finland's AA Espinho on Monday before the crossover matches for final positions.
FIXTURES: Today: Ireland v Belgium, 7pm Antwerp, Belgium (friendly); European Cup Winners Trophy: Cork Harlequins v Slavia Prague, 4pm. Tomorrow: European Cup Winners Trophy: Cork Harlequins v Western Wildcats, 2pm. Sunday: Ireland v Germany, 12.30, Mönchengladbach (friendly). European Cup Winners Trophy: Cork Harlequins v AA Espinho, 4pm. Monday: Ireland v Germany, 10am, Mönchengladbach (Test).
