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Hockey teams across the globe are playing Test matches in a bid to prepare for the Hockey World League semifinals. And the Ireland men’s hockey team is taking the same route – the Greenshirts would play three Test matches against Olympic champions Germany later this month.
The Andrew Meredith-coached Irish side would play three matches in the German cities of Heilbronn and Mannheim. The first hockey Test will be played at Mannheim on May 16, while the second Test will be played at Heilbronn the next day. The third and final Test will be played at Mannheim on May 18.
The three Test series would help Ireland to fine-tune their preparations for the Rabobank Hockey World League semifinals scheduled to be held in Rotterdam from June 13-23.
Irish coach Andrew Meredith has had a busy time overseeing the Irish Hockey League including last weekend’s finals at Three Rock Rovers HC.
He has picked a 20-man squad for the upcoming three Test series against Germany. Meredith has handpicked a number of the players, who have fared well in the Irish Hockey League in the national side. His squad also comprises players who turned out for various European clubs.
However, the Irish team would be missing the services of a few players due to work and exam commitments. The recent Irish Hockey League must have given Meredith a wider pool of players to choose from.
Meanwhile, the Irish Hockey Association has named Mick McKinnon as assistant coach of the senior men’s team – he will link up with head coach Andrew Meredith at the national camp in Dublin.
Earlier, Ireland along with India were the first two teams to qualify for the Hockey World League semifinals in the Round 2 tournament held in New Delhi. Ireland swamped Bangladesh 5-2 in their opening match before whipping lowly Fiji 13-0. They lost 2-3 to hosts India before crushing Oman 7-2 and wrapped up their engagements with a 4-0 romp over China.
Ireland squad. Bell, Jonny (Lisnagarvey), Bruton, Jonny (YMCA), Buser, Daniel (Lisnagarvey), Cargo, Chris (Reading – England), Caruth, Peter (Braxgata – Belgium),Cole, Stephen (Monkstown), Cockram, Timmy (Lisnagarvey), Dowds, Stephen (Banbridge), Fitzgerald, David (Monkstown), Gormley, Ronan (Krefeld – Germany), Harte, Conor (SCHC – Holland), Harte, David (Kampong – Holland), Jackson, John (Braxgata – Belgium), Lorimer, James (Lisnagarvey), Magee, Eugene (Krefeld – Germany), Maguire, Phelie (THC Hurley – Holland), McConnell, Andy (THC Hurley – Holland), O’Donoghue, Shane (UCD), Sothern, Alan (Pembroke Wanderers), Watt, Michael (SCHC – Holland).
