Ireland's Senior Men's team are in full flight of preparation for their upcoming World Cup Qualification (WCQ) which includes potentially eight test games in just a twelve day period, if all goes to plan.
The intensity of the programme also affords Coach Paul Revington a prime opportunity to survey his athletes in a match situation as they compete to gain a foot hold in the Irish WCQ squad come November.
Commenting on this new phase he said :
"After a satisfactory Summer of international Hockey, our Team faces the immediate next challenge of World Cup Qualification,and therefore another important phase of preparation. The games against France, Argentina and Scotland offer our Squad an immediate opportunity to assess our playing standards and for all players to stamp their quality within team performances. It will be a challenging phase of games in a very short period oftime, testing the strength of our squad and also allowing for a very intensive period of games and training for the squad."
First up Ireland play the French, ranked 17th in the world, in a double header on the 23rd and 24th September in Paris.
Just four days later Ireland are scheduled to play the world number 10's Argentina, however these fixtures are still awaiting 100% confirmation from the Puma's as to whether they will be in a position to make the trip to Ireland.
Regardless of the outcome Ireland will then take on Scotland in a triple header at Banbridge hockey club at the start of October.
Match Schedule
23rdSept Ireland v France (Paris) 18.00
24thSept Ireland v France(Paris) 14.30
28thSept Ireland v Argentina (UCD,Dublin) 20.30 TBC
30thSept Ireland v Argentina (UCD,Dublin) 20.30 TBC
1stOct Ireland v Argentina (UCD,Dublin) 20.30 TBC
2ndOct Ireland v Scotland (Banbridge, Down) 20.00
3rdOct Ireland v Scotland (Banbridge, Down) 18.00
4thOct Ireland v Scotland (Banbridge, Down) 14.00
