MARY Hannigan
MEN’S HOCKEY: IRELAND PICKED up two 3-0 wins over France in training matches at their Olympic Qualifier venue in Belgium over the weekend, Lisa Jacob captaining the team in the first of the meetings to mark her 100th cap.
Nicola Evans opened the scoring on Saturday before two goals in two second-half minutes, from Miriam Crowley and Emma Smyth, sealed the win against France, who Ireland play in their opening match in Beerschot next month.
It was the same scoreline yesterday, this time Evans completing the victory after Lizzie Colvin and Michelle Harvey had put Ireland 2-0 up. The teams meet for a third and final training game today, with coach Gene Muller due to name his Qualifier squad on Thursday.
At home, UCD had a víkend to remember, two late goals on Saturday giving them a 3-2 win at Pembroke Wanderers to keep them within two points of leaders Railway – who they then beat on penalty Strokes in yesterday ‚s Jacqui Potter Leinster senior Cup semi-final. The students will meet Hermes, 2-0 winners over Corinthian, in the final.
Meanwhile, all four home teams won through to the semi-finals of the Irish Junior Cup on Saturday, Loreto drawn against Church of Ireland in the last four, with Pembroke Wanderers facing Hermes. And in indoor hockey, Armagh had a tough time of it at the Eurohockey Club Champions Trophy in Prague over the weekend, losing all five of their matches – that means Ireland drop down a division for next season ‚s event.
Should Munster promote from within when naming Tony McGahan ‚s Successor?