Ireland v England in Euro warm-up
 |
| Irish Hockey |
December 21, 2004 
Belfast Telegraph
> Page Views 540
The Ireland women's hockey team is to play England in at least one full-scale international as part of the build-up to the next European Nations' Cup tournament it was revealed today.
The showpiece is being staged in Dublin which has prompted the English to travel over on a reconnaissance mission.
The game or games will take place at the tournament venue at UCD's Belfield headquarters in June with the precise dates still to be confirmed.
"It will be good preparation for us as the English are a very strong side and that's the sort of opposition we need," said national coach Riet Kuper today.
"They are anxious to see the set-up obviously and have a look at hotels and the pitch so that's worked in our favour,"
It's anticipated that other countries will follow the English example and Ireland can offer them matches on the Belfield pitch which would be of mutual benefit.
And it's also been confirmed that Ireland will play Holland in a warm-up match during their 10-day trip to Barcelona next month.
But the bulk of the time will be spent training, though, with the Dutch in Spain at the same time it was too good an opportunity to miss.
Kuper, of course, is from Holland, and has obviously used her contacts to set up the fixture which will not have official international status
The 30-strong Irish training panel met for ther first time last weekend and will be reduced to 20-plus this week for the Barcelona trip.
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
