Richie Malone’s side features three Irish underage soccer internationals — skipper Deirdre Duke, livewire forward Naomi Carroll and Galway girl Dora Gorman, who recently captained the Irish U17 soccer side to a European final.

All will be key figures with a smaller ball this weekend — along with vice-captain Rebecca Barry, Katie Codyre and hometown girl Amy Kate Trevor — at a tournament also featuring England, Scotland and Wales.

Ireland's U18 girls have been in good form leading into this weekend's tournament. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Malone’s side have warmed up in style for the tournament with a comprehensive series defeat of Scotland, as well as a win and a draw against Belgium, and will hope to take that form into their clashes with England, Wales and the Scots.

Meanwhile, two of the Irish U18 boys’ side will be keen to show their worth on familiar turf.

Cork C of I duo Nick Burns and Ben Dobson are the local boys in a squad largely dominated by the successful Wesley and Banbridge school sides.

The former — who claimed three schools titles this year — provide five of the 18 player panel while Bann have three panellists, though their contingent could have been more had Robin Smyrl not succumbed to injury.

Glenanne’s top scorer from play last season, Shane O’Donoghue, dons the vice-captain duties along with Luke Chadwick.

Irish Junior Cup winner Richard Sykes provides a corner threat, skipper Ian Sloan is the midfield general and Owen Magee — younger brother of decorated senior international Eugene — has followed his sibling’s lead as a top-quality goalscorer.

U18 Four Nations, Garryduff, Cork

Boys

Tomorrow: England vs Wales, 12pm; Ireland vs Scotland, 2pm; Sunday: Scotland vs Wales, 12pm; Ireland vs England, 2pm; Monday: Scotland vs England, 9am; Ireland vs Wales, 1pm.

IRELAND U18 Boys: R Fitzgerald (YMCA/Wesley), M Ingram (Railway Union/Oatlands College), M Bell (Banbridge/Banbridge Academy), N Burns (Cork C of I/Midleton), L Chadwick (YMCA/Wesley, vice-capt), B Dobson (Cork C of I/PBC), W Edgar (Annadale/Campbell), S Madeley (Wesley/TRR), O Magee (Banbridge/Banbridge Academy), D McCrea (TRR/Wesley), H McShane (Banbridge/Banbridge Academy), S O’Donoghue (Glenanne/High School, vice-capt), P Ritchie (Annadale/Regent House), T Samuel (TRR/Wesley), I Sloan (Cookstown/Cookstown HS, capt), R Sykes (Monkstown/St Andrew’s), A Williamson (Annadale/Campbell College), M Lecky (Raphoe/Royal and Prior).

Shane O'Donoghue top-scored from play for Glenanne this season and will vice-captain the Irish U18 boys. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Girls

Tonight: England vs Wales, 8pm; Tomorrow: England vs Scotland, 4pm; Ireland vs Wales, 6pm  Sunday: Wales vs Scotland, 4pm; Ireland vs England, 6pm; Monday: Ireland vs Scotland, 11am.

IRELAND U18 Girls: J Holmes (GK, Randalstown/Carrick Grammar), D Gorman (Greenfields/Taylors Hill) L McCarthy (Railway/Mount Anville), A Naughton (Corinthian/Mount Anville), D Duke (Hermes/Alexandra College, capt), N Gray (Old Alex/Alexandra College), AK Trevor (Cork C of I/Scoil Mhuire) N Laarhoven (Almeerse, NL), N Carroll (Catholic Inst/St Patricks Comp), R Barry (Catholic Inst/Laurel Hill, vice-capt), K McDonald (Lurgan Ladies/Banbridge Academy), K Codyre (Greenfields/Colaiste Iognaid), M Carey (Galway/Colaiste Iognaid), V Surgenor (Randalstown/Ballyclare HS), J Orr (Armagh/Royal School Armagh), L Ewart (Armagh/Royal School Armagh), E Beatty (Old Alex/Alexandra College, SJ Greer (GK, Ballymoney).

The Irish Hockey Photographers collective was founded in 2008 in association with Ireland’s dedicated hockey news websites, The Hook and Southern Fried.

A UCD player takes a tumble - just one of the top-class pictures from Adrian Boehm

The team of amateur snappers has grown to incorporate Adrian Boehm, Deryck Vincent, Ondine Roche, Eoin Tyrrell, Stephen Findlater and Emer Keogh among other contributors, and covers every level of hockey in the country from schools up to senior international level.

The group primarily provides photos for The Hook and Southern Fried – the only hockey blogs in their respective homelands of Leinster and Munster – but has also supplied photos to the Irish Examiner, Irish Times and Evening Herald, as well as numerous other local publications.

The success of the group’s initial venture via the photography social networking site Flickr – where their photographs have clocked up almost one million views in less than two years – has led to a significant extention of the service provided.

All photos are now available to purchase in a printed format, in a range of sizes direct from the site. T-shirts and mugs emblazoned with your favourite image are also available, and your chosen product is delivered straight to your home.

The site currently features all photos taken by Adrian Boehm since September 2009. The Irish Hockey Photographers will be uploading their pictures from the last few seasons over the summer, but if you have a specific set of photos you would like to purchase, email irishhockeyphotographers@yahoo.co.uk and they will be uploaded in due course.

For futher information – or to enquire about joining the Irish Hockey Photographers team – visit the site here.

Please help us spread the word about the new site by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter. Alternatively, you can use any of the social networking share buttons below.

Ondine Roche captured a celebratory moment as Cork Harlequins claimed the Munster women's Division 1 title.

Irish Hockey Photographers is the latest in a serious of innovations in the service provided to the hockey public by Southern Fried and The Hook, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Such efforts require plenty of time and effort, which we don’t mind putting in, but they also require financial investment.

I have therefore setup a PayPal Donate service – located in the sidebar on the right of the site, or by clicking here – for anyone who wishes to contribute to the upkeep of this site and future improvements and innovations.

Should you wish to donate, the size of the contribution is up to you, and donors can choose to remain anonymous. All support is greatly appreciated.

A big thanks is due to Botanic HC’s Gillian McAuliffe for her help in getting the Irish Hockey Photographers site operational, and to Niamh Hutton for her work on the logos and watermarks.

The IHA board has given their approval to a Central Preparation Programme (CPP), which the national body say will “facilitate a core, intensive preparation program” in a bid to qualify for the Olympics in London in 2012.

Senior women’s coach Gene Muller envisages that 20 of the 25 players currently selected for the Irish panel will be in a position to be located in Dublin for the initial time period.

Gene Muller: believes centralisation is a "significant step forward" for the Irish women's hockey team. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Those unable to make the move will continue training at a local level in midweek and join the full squad for Sunday and Monday training sessions.

Heated debate over the merits of the programme has been ongoing since news of the plan broke in February.

The concept has drawn intense criticism from high-profile figures within the game, who have condemned it as impractical and fear ruinous consequences for club hockey.

An IHA spokesperson yesterday said Muller will write to clubs next week to outline the practicals of the plan in detail, and stressed that no pressure will be placed on players to move to Dublin clubs.

IHA high performance director David Passmore added that the previous practice of completely withdrawing players from club hockey in the build-up to major tournaments will not be necessary under the new format.

The core Irish panel likely to be involved in the new setup is likely to be announced in the aftermath of the series with Scotland at the end of this month.

Players selected to take part in the CPP will continue to compete for their clubs as the weekly schedule makes provisions for weekend club hockey – except for scheduled breaks or international events – while also enabling players to prepare midweek with their clubs for ESB Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League matches.

Muller also has provision to invite additional athletes into the programme.

“(The CPP) will enable the majority of players to train together on a regular basis in one location,” the IHA said in a statement. “It will help address critical technical and tactical weaknesses, and facilitate more intense, frequent and higher quality training sessions.

The Irish women must improve on last year's fifth-placed finish in Europe to qualify for the Olympics. Picture: Ondine Roche

“A programme of this nature makes the periodisation of the Irish training and competition programme feasible. Under the previous system it was difficult to control training variables to develop and peak the team.”

Muller yesterday termed the plan “a significant move forward”, and said their training environment will be in line with many of the top international teams as a result.

“The main aim is to improve our chances of international success,” he added. “This plan cannot work without player buy-in, and our players have been fantastic in endorsing and driving this process.”

To qualify for the Olympics, Ireland must either finish fourth at the preceding European championships in 2011, or enter into a winner-takes-all qualification group.

The former is the preferable route, but the jump from fifth – where Ireland finished at the 2009 Euros in Amsterdam – to fourth is a significant leap in standards, which has thus far proved beyond Muller’s troops.

Current Irish skipper Eimear Cregan therefore believes that centralisation is a key step if the side is to have a shot at reaching the Olympics.

“I have no doubt this will maximise our potential as a team, as well as providing us with a fantastic opportunity to qualify for the Olympics,” said the Limerick native.

“The current squad is hugely committed and dedicated, and I firmly believe each player will work extremely hard to make this a success. I am also pleased that the IHA has been able to accommodate those who are unable to centralise due to their work commitments.”

The women’s budget that incorporates the CPP will be allocated in line with previous year’s budgets, funded through Irish Sports Council, Sport Northern Ireland and sponsors ESB, who have all backed the venture, along with the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland and the Irish Institute of Sport.

The visitors put three past debutant David Fitzgerald in the Irish goal either side of the break, taking advantage of some jittery defending to seemingly put themselves out of sight.

But Eugene Magee gave Ireland a lifeline with a neat reverse from a narrow angle with 10 minutes to go, before David Ames set up a grandstand finale with a similar effort from the top of the circle.

Eugene Magee fires home a reverse from a tight angle to begin Ireland's comeback against France. Picture: Adrian Boehm

And Magee then cracked one into the bottom right-hand corner off his back foot to tie it up. Paul Revington’s side even had chances to claim an unlikely victory, while Monkstown keeper Fitzgerald emphasised his international credentials with some fine stops at the other end.

Allied to Saturday’s 1-1 draw — in which Alan Sothern cancelled out Joost Jasen’s opener — and an earlier 3-1 victory, it meant the Irish finished their summer programme unbeaten.

France brought a much stronger selection to Ireland than the side that capitulated 7-0 last Sunday at the Celtic Cup in Le Touquet, but Revington’s men were good value for an overall series victory.

Lisnagarvey forward Timmy Cockram also made his 100th appearance on Saturday, while Andy McConnell’s goal in the opening game was his first in a green shirt.

Revington will have learned more about his midfield options, given the absence from this summer’s action of John Jermyn and David Hobbs, with Cookstown’s David Ames arguably the pick of the bunch.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s U21 boys were denied the Junior Celtic Cup in dramatic fashion as an experienced Scotland side following a 4-4 draw at Coolnafranky.

The Irish led three times in the game but found themselves chasing the game in the final stages as Kenny Bain popped up to score his side’s crucial fourth goal.

Stuart Loughrey equalised to set up an exciting final few minutes but Scotland held on to take the title on goal difference following big wins over France and Wales.

Ali Smith on the rampage for Ireland. The Bandon man claimed his maiden goal for Ireland against France. Picture: Emer Keogh

Ireland added a 2-0 win over France on Saturday to their 6-0 success on Friday to be in with a shot of glory today. Davy Carson netted in the first half before Bandon’s Ali Smith rounded out that win, but it left Ireland two goals behind the Scots going into the final day’s play.

Again, Carson got the only goal of the first half before Gordon McIntyre levelled for the first time from a corner rebound in the second period. Cookstown’s Mark Crooks restored the lead only for McIntyre to level.

Corinthian sharp-shooter Brian Doherty whipped in his fifth corner of the weekend for 3-2. Josh Cairns cancelled that out with a corner of his own and Bain nicked the fourth with five minutes to go, again combining with senior international team mate McIntyre.

Loughrey’s effort set up the grandstand finish but Scotland held out to retain the title.

Nonetheless, senior men’s coach Revington will have been particularly pleased with the efforts of an all-new and entirely U21 side, particularly skipper Doherty, who hit four in the 6-0 demolition of Wales on Friday.

For more of Emer Keogh’s pictures from Ireland U-21 men vs France, click here. Adrian Boehm’s photos from Sunday’s Ireland vs France game can be seen here.

Senior International Series, Coolnafranky

Ireland 3 (T Cockram, A McConnell, C Cargo) France 1 (G Deront);
Ireland 1 (A Sothern) France 1 (J Jasen);
Ireland 3 (E Magee 2, D Ames) France 3;

Junior (U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky

Ireland 6 (B Doherty 4, D Carson, D Carlisle) Wales 0;
Ireland 2 (A Smith, D Carson) France 0;
Ireland 4 (B Doherty, M Crooks, D Carson, S Loughrey) Scotland 4 (G McIntrye 2, J Cairns, K Bain)

Scotland win title on goal difference from Ireland (+2).

Emily Hurtz continued to be the biggest thorn in Ireland’s side, as she rattled home a hat-trick of close-range short corner goals.

Hurtz had hit the winners in both of the 1-0 victories for the Hockeyroos earlier in the week, close games which raised Irish hopes of nicking a shock win over the world number five outfit.

But though Muller’s troops again defended adroitly from deep positions to quell the visitors’ threat from play, they were undone by Australia’s set-piece prowess.

Ireland's Cliodhna Sargent carries the ball out of defence. Picture: Adrian Boehm

They converted four out of seven corners inside 50 minutes, Hurtz bagging the first three before Megan Rivers notched the fourth. Lisa Jacob pulled one back for the hosts late on, again from a corner rebound.

Muller nonetheless believes his side has upped their performances since finishing a disappointing third at April’s World Cup qualifier in Chile.

“Overall, it has been a tough 10 days, with six very difficult matches against World Cup teams. I felt we performed well in four of the six matches, we definitely have made big increase in performance since Chile.”

Following on from Eimear Cregan becoming Ireland’s most capped player of all time in Germany last week, other Irish players have reached some personal milestones recently.

Ballymoney’s Bridget Cleland has broken the 150 cap barrier, while UCC’s Julia O’Halloran has notched her 50th appearancecap.

It was also a fortnight to remember for Cork Harlequins’ Sinead McCarthy and Railway Union’s Nikki Evans as they won their first caps, with McCarthy in particular impressing.

Meanwhile, Ireland A’s good start at the Junior Celtic Cup in Coolnafranky soon unravelled, as defeats to Scotland and eventual winners France saw them finish third.

An opening-day 4-1 win over Wales sparked hopes of a serious challenge by the hosts in the U21 competition, but a reverse to France by the same scoreline, followed by a 2-0 defeat to the Scots, quashed their chances.

Ireland's Audrey O'Flynn looks for a pass. Picture: Adrian Boehm

There was better news for the U16 and U18 girls, who both recorded comfortable victories over home nations opposition.

Una McCarthy’s U16 side were in sizzling form in a two-game series with Wales, winning 6-1 and 6-0.

Katie Mullan cracked in four of those, including a hat-trick in the second encounter, while Munster’s Roisin Upton and Antonia McGrath also made their mark on the scoresheet.

The U18 girls followed up the encouraging performances in their tied three-game series with Belgium by
defeating Scotland twice at Jordanstown this weekend.

They recorded a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon with goals from Nicola Gray, Leah Ewart and Katie Codyre while Sunday brought a 3-2 win. This time, Gray and Ewart were joined on the score-sheet by Aisling Naughton.

For more of Adrian Boehm’s pics from these games, click here and here; Ondine Roche’s photos of the game can be seen here.

Senior International Series, Belfield

Ireland 0 Australia 1 (E Hurtz)
Ireland 0 Australia 1 (E Hurtz)
Ireland 1 (L Jacob) Australia 4 (E Hurtz 3, M Rivers)

Women’s Junior (U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky

Ireland 4 (A O’Flanagan 2, K McKenna, K McConnell) Wales 1
Ireland 1 (A O’Flanagan) France 4
Ireland 0 Scotland 2

Standings: 1. France 9pts (+11) 2. Scotland 6pts (+5) 3. Ireland 3pts (-2) 4. Wales 0pts (-14)

Ireland U18 girls 3 (L Ewart, K Codyre, N Gray) Scotland 1
Ireland U18 girls 3 (L Ewart, N Gray, A Naughton) Scotland 2

Ireland U16 girls 6 (C Brown 2, K Lloyd 2, K Mullan, A McGrath) Wales U16 0
Ireland U16 girls 6 (K Mullan 3, E Carey, G Frazer, R Upton) Wales U16 1

The girls in green put in a sterling defensive shift in going down 1-0 to the world number five outfit, with English-born McCarthy at the heart of that following her 10th-minute introduction.

Muller said:  “We were composed and calm in possession today and were defensively well organised. I was pleased with the overall performance and we created some good chances. I felt Sinead McCarthy had a very good international debut.”

Nick Burns on the attack for Ireland U18's against Belgium. Picture: Adrian Boehm

A super strike from Emily Hurtz, two minutes into the second half, settled the tie, but Muller will be happier than his side looked fresher and displayed more resolve than in the 6-0 humbling at the hnads of India in Germany last weekend.

Cliodhna Sargent whipped one goal-bound shot off the line, while at the other end, Julia O’Halloran was inches away from getting a decisive shoulder-high touch as Niamh Small aerialled across goal.

Eimear Cregan also slipped just wide after pick-pocketing Kobie McGurk on the 25 but, on her reverse, her reverse appeared to catch the hook of her stick to redirect the ball just off course in the 22nd minute.

Kary Chau fired a snap-shot just wide soon after for the hockeyroos while Megan Rivers brilliant break-out slipped just beyond Jade Close’s reach on the edge of the circle.

In between, Small earned Ireland’s only corner of the night but Sargent’s straight shot was comfortably saved.

The killer blow came, though, 100 seconds into the second period when Chau pinged a ball from halfway out to the right sideline where the flying Kurtz cut in unopposed and banged in a stunning low strike.

Ireland play again on Friday evening at 6pm before facing the Australian’s in their third and final test on Saturday at 4pm.

Ireland: E Gray, M Harvey, C Sargent, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, B Cleland, S McCay, A Speers, A O’Flynn, E Smyth, N Small
Subs: L Jacob, J O’Halloran, N Symmons, S McCarthy, N Evans

Meanwhile, Ireland’s U18 boys and girls were left with mixed feelings following the conclusion of their three-game series with Belgium today.

The boys looked somewhat out on their feet yesterday in going down 5-1 to a clinical Belgian side. Owen Magee, younger brother of senior international Eugene, gave the Irish a lead as they initially followed on from where they’d left off in a 3-3 draw on Tuesday.

Namoi Carroll celebrates her goal with Deirdre Duke. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But having equalised, the Belgians scored a pair of neatly worked corners to turn the tables before the break and added a second half double to complete the win.

And in the final game today, they agonisingly lost 3-2, with Shane Madeley and Hugh McShane on the scoresheet in a game which was the sixth match in seven days for 10 of the panel.

Matthias Dubois guided home a fourth minute corner but Madeley finished off Burns’ baseline reverse to level inside 45 seconds.

Belgium, though, enjoyed a smarter period in the next 40 minutes, forcing Ben Dobson to hack one off the line and built a lead early in the second half when Arno Devreker twice profited.

McShane diverted home a corner with 15 minutes remaining and Ireland piled on the pressure but an equaliser proved elusive.

The Irish U18 girls, meanwhile, crashed 3-0 to Belgium yesterday after the exertions of their first two games – which saw them claim a win and a draw – took their toll.

Catholic Institute forward Naomi Carroll hit the target in both Tuesday’s 4-2 win and yesterday’s 1-1 draw, with her equalising strike yesterday of particular note.

Aisling Naughton started the move, sliding through to Deirdre Duke who squared for Carroll to deftly pop over the goalkeeper from close range.

Elsewhere, in Cookstown Ireland A finished off their two-game series with Scotland last night with a 2-0 defeat – Morag McClelland and Ali Howe with the goals – despite an improved overall performance from their 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Kate Dillon netted Ireland’s strike in that tie but Ann Brody’s effort meant honours were even. Ireland A now reverts to being an U-21 panel for the men’s and women’s Junior Celtic Cup which gets underway in Cookstown on Friday.

* For more of Adrian Boehm’s photos from the boys U18 games click here, while the girls U18  photos are here.

The Irish men retained their title with an experimental side for the second year running, capping a memorable weekend for skipper Ronan Gormley.

Ireland skipper Ronan Gormley accepts the Celtic Cup on the same day he won his 100th Irish cap. Picture: GF Cohen/www.photopale.com

The defender notched two rare goals in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Wales, before marring his 100th cap by giving away an early penalty stroke against France.

But goalkeeper Iain Walker saved the captain’s blushes, and a Eugene Magee drag flick in the 18th minute set them on their way, with Mitch Darling bagging a hat-trick in an easy win, their biggest ever over the French.

Irish manager Peter Jackson said: “This was an outstanding tournament for the Irish lads who put in maximum effort throughout all games.

“It is particularly pleasing to see that we only conceded one goal in the three matches and scored 14 in total.”

The women crashed 6-0 to India in the midday German heat to take the wooden spoon at the tournament in Essen, a disappointing end to the tournament following a much better performance in Saturday’s narrow 3-1 defeat to Germany.

Emma Smyth’s strike had Ireland level at half time in a game which saw Eimear Cregan break Rachael Kohler’s all-time caps record, making her 167th appearance, while Julia O’Halloran was making her 50th appearance.

There was better news for the Irish U18 boys – for whom C of I’s Nick Burns was the sole Munster player involved – as they completed a series whitewash of their Scottish counterparts at Hillsborough.

Burns was on target for his second of the series in Saturday’s 4-0 win, while Ireland also claimed a 2-1 victory on Sunday in the narrowest of the three games.

They are in action again on Tuesday night against Belgium at Belfield, the first of another three-game series, with Burns’ C of I team-mate Ben Dobson one of nine new faces in the squad.

Celtic Cup, Le Touquet, France

Ireland 7 (M Darling 3, E Magee, A Sothern, A Giles, P Caruth) France 0;

Ireland 4 (R Gormley 2, P Gleghorne, P Caruth) Wales 0;

Ireland 3 (C Cargo, C Harte, T Cockram) Scotland 1 (K Bain)

Standings (points/goal difference): 1 Ireland 9pts (+13) 2 Wales 6pts (-2) 3 Scotland 3pts (-1) 4 France 0pts (-9).

Ireland's Nick Burns on the attack against Scotland. Picture: Adrian Boehm

U18 Series, Hillsborough, Co Down

Ireland 5 (N Burns, S O’Donoghue, W Edgar, T Samuel, A Williamson) Scotland 1;

Ireland 4 (N Burns, O Magee, R Sykes 2) Scotland 0;

Ireland 2 (O Magee, S O’Donoghue) Scotland 1.

Women’s Four Nations, Essen, Germany

Ireland 1 (E Smyth) Germany 3 (L Geyer, T Bachmann 2);

Ireland 0 India 6;

Ireland 0 Australia 4;

Final standings: 1 Australia 7pts (+8) 2 Germany 5pts (+2) 3 India 4pts (+3) 4 Ireland 0pts (-13)

For GF Cohen’s Celtic Cup pictures, click here (Facebook page). For more of Adrian Boehm’s photos from Saturday’s game between Ireland U18 and Scotland U18, click here.

An overhaul in midfield saw Andy McConnell, David Ames and Geoff McCabe initially involved in a battle before finding the right strings to pull and when they did, Ireland had too much for the Scots.

Chris Cargo connected with Alan Sothern’s reverse-stick cross for a 19th-minute lead, which was doubled four minutes before the break by Conor Harte’s first international goal, his corner flick beating GB netminder Ali McGregor.

Kenny Bain pulled one back early in the second half for the Scots — who last defeated Ireland in 2006 — but Timmy Cockram’s switch-flick six mintues from time settled it.

Timmy Cockram's late drag-flick secured victory for Ireland. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Wales beat France 1-0 in the other game, thanks to a corner strike from the extravagantly-named Rufus McNaught-Barrington.

Meanwhile, Irish women’s coach Gene Muller was happy with the improvement in his side’s recent performance levelss, despite losing 4-0 to Australia at the Four Nations tournament in Essen, Germany.

Nikki Evans claimed her first cap, while skipper Eimear Cregan equalled Rachael Kohler’s all-time appearances record of 166, which she looks set to overtake today.

Two goals either side of half-time did the damage for Australia, while Cregan and Niamh Small had opportunities that went begging.

Muller said: ” It was a more open match than in Chile and we performed much better technically. We created good scoring chances but we were sloppy with crucial turnovers which cost us in both circles.”

Elsewhere, Cork Church of Ireland’s Nick Burns was one of five players on target for Ireland U18s as they proved far too good for their Scottish counterparts at Hillsborough, Co Down last night.

Burns opened the scoring with William Edgar and Shane O’Donoghue also on target before half-time, before Richard Sykes and Andy Williamson did likewise after the break.

IRELAND Men: I Walker, R Gormley, J Jackson, C Harte, P Gleghorne, G McCabe, D Ames, A McConnell, E Magee, T Cockram, M Darling

Subs: J Brennan, A Giles, A Sothern, P Maguire, C Cargo

Senior Men’s Celtic Cup (Le Touquet, France) results:
Ireland 3 (C Cargo, C Harte, T Cockram) Scotland 1 (K Bain); Wales 1 (R McNaught-Barrington) France 0

Celtic Cup standings (points/goal difference):
1.Ireland 3pts (+2) 2. Wales 3pts (+1) 3. France 0pts (-1) 4. Scotland 0pts (-2)

Ireland U16 and U18 coaches, Una McCarthy and Richie Malone respectively, will assist Irish hockey’s high performance director David Passmore in the management of the side.

Fourteen of the 16 participants were confirmed yesterday, while the final two to be named in the coming days. Catholic Institute duo Rebecca Barry and Roisin Upton and Cork Harlequins’ Antonia McGrath fly the flag for Munster.

Catholic Institute's Rebecca Barry is included in the Ireland U17 Olympic squad. Picture: Adrian Boehm

The side also includes Greenfields’ Dora Gorman, who currently has more pressing matters on her hands as the captain of the Republic of Ireland U17 soccer side, who face Spain in the final of the UEFA Championships in Nyon tomorrow.

Passmore said: “This was an immensely difficult selection process that included trials and many hours of video reviews.

“This young group has a lot of potential and the World Youth Olympics tournament represents a superb stage for them to develop and perform. It will be a challenging event requiring high fitness levels.

“In addition, the intensity of play along with the varying playing styles we will encounter will make it even more demanding.”

“Irish Hockey is delighted and very grateful that this opportunity has been provided by the Olympic Council of Ireland.”

In addition to girls hockey, Ireland will be represented in athletics, boxing, rowing, sailing, triathlon, tennis and modern pentathlon.

The Olympic Council of Ireland’s sports director, Martin Burke, has been appointed chef de mission while Cormac O’Muircheartaigh – son of broadcaster Micheál, and currently medical director of the Singapore Institute of Sport – will provide medical and physiotherapy services to the team.

Elsewhere, the Ireland A men’s squad for the Junior Celtic Cup side has been confirmed by coach Graham Shaw, who has included Munster duo Ali Smith (Bandon) and Clinton Sweetnam (Cork C of I) in a squad who are all under 21 for the purpose of this tournament.

Quins' Antonia McGrath has been rewarded for a superb end to her season with the Cork club with Irish selection. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Corinthian’s Brian Doherty captains the side while Stephen West and Shane O’Donoghue step up from last year’s Ireland U18 for the competition, which takes place on home turf at Coolnafranky from July 2-4.

Ireland senior men’s coach Paul Revington said: “It is crucial for Irish Hockey that this group of U21 players are able to perform together at international level, and the 2010 Junior Celtic Cup arrives at just the right time for these players.

“The squad have worked hard together over the past few weeks and it will be good for them to finish this phase of training off with a quality performance in a tournament.”

Revington has more pressing matters this weekend, as he leads his side to Le Touquet in France for the defence of their Celtic Cup crown.

A combination of retirements and resting players has left many gaps in midfield to be filled, presenting David Ames, Geoff McCabe, Andy McConnell and Alan Giles with a chance to establish themselves.

Ireland’s senior women have an even tougher task ahead of them as they begin their Four Nations campaign against Australia in Essen, Germany tonight (7pm), before meeting India and the hosts.

While history is set to be made if skipper Eimear Cregan breaks the Irish caps record, a personal milestone could also be passed by another Munster woman, Julia O’Halloran.

The 22-year-old UCC attacker will win her 50th cap if she plays in two of the three games, an achievement all the more notable given she spent a year out of international hockey in 2008 and 2009 due to academic commitments.

Despite the challenges that lie in wait, Cregan is hopeful that tangible progress can be made: “We take serious heart from the game against Australia in Chile, our tactics worked well and we know we can compete.

Julia O'Halloran is on the cusp of winning her 50th Irish cap this weekend. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“If we step up in our details, not give away set pieces and study them as much as we can then we have the belief we can go out and take them.

“We owe Germany a good fight considering they beat us in the Europeans. India, we haven’t played them in a few years but we’d be hoping to beat them. All matches are tough and they’ll be skilful with good natural flair and its down to very hard work in all three games to get a couple of wins.”

Meanwhile, Leinster and Ulster players dominate the selection of the Ireland A women’s side, as the U21 rule gives opportunities to teen starlets such as Deirdre Duke, Orla Fox and Jenny Kyle.

However, neither Munster nor Connacht have a single representative on the panel, which is coached by Guy Garrett and Arlene Boyles.

The Coolnafranky complex where the tournament will take place was officially opened on Monday, as Ireland’s men recorded a 7-1 win over hosts Cookstown, with Irish coach Paul Revington full of praise for the state-of-the-art water-based pitch.

Meanwhile, two major coaching appointments have been confirmed in Leinster in the past 24 hours. Rory O’Donoghue makes the jump from Monkstown’s men to replace John McInroy — who returns to his native South Africa — at UCD.

Mary Logue, whose departure from UCD’s women had been previously announced, is to take up the reins at Hermes, replacing another foreigner on the way back to native shores in Dutchman Eric Fintelman.

Bandon's Ali Smith gets his first chance to impress for Ireland A at the Junior Celtic Cup. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Ireland U17 girls squad for World Youth Olympics: Rebecca Barry (Laurel Hill, Catholic Institute); Chloe Brown (Nendrum College, North Down); Lucy Camlin (GK, Ballyclare HS; Pegasus); Amy Cooke (Ballyclare HS; Lisnagarvey); Leah Ewart (Royal School Armagh; Armagh); Gemma Fraser (Omagh HS; Omagh); Dora Gorman (Taylors, Greenfields); Jenna Holmes (GK, Carrickfergus; Randalstown); Lisa McCarthy (Mount Anville, Railway Union); Kerri McDonald (Banbridge Academy; Dromore); Antonia McGrath (Ursuline Convent, Cork Harlequins); Lucy McKee (Banbridge Academy; Armagh); Katie Mullin (Dalraida, Ballymoney); Roisin Upton (Crescent College Comprehensive, Catholic Institute).

Ireland A men’s squad for Junior Celtic Cup: Alistair Thom (GK, Instonians), Stephen West (GK, Three Rock Rovers), David Best (Cookstown), Phillip Brown (Banbridge), Drew Carlisle (Vice Captain, Banbridge), Clinton Sweetnam (Cork C of I), Mark Crooks (Cookstown), Stephen Cole (Monkstown), Jonathon Kane (Glenanne), Stuart Loughrey (Loughborough Uni), David Carson (Corinthian), Shane O’Donoghue (Glenanne), William Robinson (Instonians), Brian Doherty (Captain, Corinthian), Alistair Smith (Bandon), Mark English (Railway Union), Stephen Sloan (Cookstown), Neil Hamilton (Annadale)

Ireland A women’s squad for Junior Celtic Cup: Lauren Barr (Ballymoney), Aisling Campion (Loreto), Deirdre Duke (Hermes), Orla Fox (Pembroke Wanderers), Victoria Green (Bath), Jenny Kyle (Pegasus), Hannah Matthews (Loreto), Kate McConnell (Pegasus), Liz McInerney (UCD), Kate McKenna (Railway Union), Ali Meeke (Loreto), Anna O’Flanagan (Hermes), Grace O’Flanagan (UCD), Gillian Pinder (Hermes), Stephanie Quinn (Armagh), Katherine Steenson (Armagh)

The Limerick native is set to become the most capped Irish hockey player of all time, in either the men’s or women’s code; she has 165 to her name, one shy of the record set by fellow Munster woman and former Cork Harlequins team-mate Rachael Kohler.

Ireland’s senior women kick off their Four Nations campaign against Australia in Essen, Germany tonight (7pm), with skipper Cregan set to equal Kohler’s tally of 166 — a record since 2003 — if she plays.

And she is almost certain to overtake that mark in the games against India and the hosts over the weekend.

Eimear Cregan's superb 3D skills are a big part of her game. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But the free-scoring Catholic Institute player wasn’t always destined to leave a hook-shaped imprint on the sporting landscape.

Typically prodigious in almost every sport she had a crack off, Cregan had looked set to be a GAA star. A niece of legendary former Limerick player and coach Eamonn Cregan, camogie seemed set to be her calling — she’d first picked up a hurley at age three.

But, as she recalled this week, her introduction to hockey almost didn’t happen at all.

“I absolutely hadn’t a clue of the rules and I was from a big GAA family. My friend asked me to come down, gave me a stick and shinguards and the minute I picked up the stick I absolutely loved it,” she recalled.

“A lot of it would transfer over from the ground hurling. I loved the smaller skills, the dodging and so on, from the very start. I didn’t have any expectations, I just went out to enjoy it and it went from there.

“I always wanted to play for Ireland and that drives you on. But it does take a lot of hard work and commitment.” You do put certain things on hold in your life; you miss a lot of parties but you get to play for your country and see the world. We’ve been so lucky and I feel so privileged.”

She made her international debut while studying at the University of Limerick — where she also won an Ashbourne Cup in camogie — in 2001, aged 19.

When an U21 tournament was cancelled due to foot and mouth, then-Irish coach Riet Kuper gave Cregan her chance in the senior setup, and she hasn’t looked back.

She cites scoring a hat-trick against Korea in 2005 and partaking in the 2002 World Cup as her career highlights. But she is is determined to create more memories in the future.

“We’re a young team, we were obviously disappointed with our performance in Chile (failed World Cup qualification campaign) but it’s so good to have a month off and then be able to play in a high quality tournament.

“We’re constantly improving. I don’t think I’ve played with a squad which has been so tactically aware and technically aware due to the teaching of (coaches) Gene Muller and Denis Pritchard. We can adapt to different situations.

Cregan is hopeful the Irish team will have more reason to celebrate in the future. Picture: HockeyPress Argentina

“This team, as long as we stay together and keep improving, we really are focusing on getting an outcome from every tournament to build to getting that fourth in Europe in August 2011 where we’ll be a serious force to be reckoned with.”

Considering that modern-day exceptional talents now make their senior international bow as young as 15 or 16, the fact that Cregan stands on the cusp of such a remarkable achievement at just 28 years of age is proof of her outstanding talent and superb consistency in terms of form.

Had she not been so troubled by injury in recent years, Cregan would have reached this landmark even sooner.

Possessing superb 3D, mid-air skills that are all-too-rare in the women’s game — as well as never-ending determination — she stands out at all levels. And like all great forwards, she has the knack of scoring crucial goals at important times.

The best of these, for me, came in Cork Harlequins’ final Irish Hockey League pool game at home to Armagh in April 2009. Quins were leading 3-1 but needed a fourth strike to give them an all-important bonus point, in order to make the semi-finals.

But with 45 seconds remaining, up stepped Cregan, picking up the ball 40 yards out and careering past three players, before cracking the ball into the bottom corner from the top of the circle, despite being off-balance.

It was just one of hundreds of memorable career moments for Cregan; all of Irish hockey hopes she has plenty more to come, but she isn’t taking anything for granted.

“If I’m honest, I know it sounds a cliché but I always take one game at a time. Obviously, you take each test series as it comes and because I was out injured and had surgery in September, I had to work very hard behind the scenes to get back.

“At that stage, my aim was just to get to Chile and play as well as I could there so now its an absolute bonus to go to Germany and hopefully get my 166th cap.

“I’ve been very lucky to get into the squad, selected by Riet Kuper, and to play in a World Cup and four European championships. I do still take one game at a time and every game as a bonus and never take being selected for granted. It’s just another game, but I’m obviously honoured and delighted.”

Quotes courtesy of, and with sincere thanks to, Stephen Findlater. Check out The Hook today (Friday) for his full interview with the Irish skipper.