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.

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)

John Jermyn (centre) won't be on Celtic Cup duty, but Irish team-mates Andy McConnell and Timmy Cockram are included. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Of the five changces from the squad that contested the World Cup qualifier last year, four come in the middle of the park, with defender Tim Lewis also missing out due to injury.

Glenanne duo Graham Shaw and Stephen Butler have retired from the international scene, while Cork C of I duo David Hobbs and John Jermyn are on a summer sabbatical.

It leaves David Ames and Geoff McCabe — who remain from the WCQ squad — as the frontrunners, with Pembroke duo Andy McConnell and Alan Giles next in line.

David Harte’s injury gives Iain Walker a rare chance as the number one choice goalkeeper while David Fitzgerald could make his international debut.

The back four and front line retain more settled look for the tournament in Le Touquet, and the squad still has an average of 40 caps per man. Ireland are reigning champions despite using an experimental side last time around.

Ireland senior men’s squad for Celtic Cup, Le Touquet, France, June 25-27 (club/caps): I Walker (GK, YMCA; 20; D Fitzgerald (GK, Monkstown; 0); R Gormley (Pembroke W, capt; 97); J Jackson (Loughborough; 42); J Brennan (Glenanne; 33); C Harte (Pembroke W; 40); P Gleghorne (Loughborough; 11); G McCabe (Dragons; 62); D Ames (Cookstown; 14); A McConnell (Pembroke W; 13); A Giles (Pembroke W; 7); C Cargo (Reading; 5); E Magee (Dragons; 103); T Cockram (Lisnagarvey; 95); M Darling (Leuven; 41); A Sothern (Pembroke W; 37); P Caruth (Annadale; 16); P Maguire (Leuven; 77)

Reserves: B Lynch (Cork C of I); A Pritchard (Pembroke W); B McCandless (Banbridge); G Watkins (Monkstown); P Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers/Roma); J Lynch (Lisnagarvey); Gary Shaw (Glenanne)

Unavailable: D Harte (Pembroke W); M Watt (Dragons); T Lewis (Pembroke); J Jermyn (Cork C of I); M Maguire (Three Rock Rovers); D Hobbs (Cork C of I).

The inspirational Catholic Institute forward, who is also the current Irish skipper, was yesterday named in Gene Muller’s squad for Four-Nations event in Essen, Germany, which gets underway on June 25.

Cregan is one cap shy of the mark of 166 reached by Kohler, before the outstanding Cork Harlequins midfielder quit the international scene in 2003.

Nicola Evans celebrates a goal for Railway while Cork Harlequins' Sinead McCarthy looks dejected in the background. Both should make their Irish debuts in the coming weeks. Picture: Adrian Boehm

She is one of just six men’s or women’s players still playing international hockey to have more than 100 caps to her name.

That Cregan is next in line for the overall caps record is testament to her durability, given the injury difficulties she has suffered in recent seasons.

Sinead McCarthy and Nikki Evans will hope they are starting out on a similarly decorated international career path, as they look set to earn their first caps this summer.

Muller has made three changes from the failed World Cup qualification squad as Ireland take on high-quality opposition in the form of Germany, India and Australia there, before the Hockeyroos come calling to Dublin for a three-game series in early July.

Railway Union’s Evans and Nicci Daly of Loreto are the two new forward options Muller will examine in Germany, replacing Roisin Flinn and USA-based Megan Frazer.

As part of the goalkeeper rotation, Emma Gray replaces Louisa Healy in Germany, while Mary Goode sits out the home series with Australia.

For that selection, Cork Harlequins’ McCarthy is included as an extra defender in a move that could see an end, for now, of the experiment to use Loreto midfielder Nikki Symmons in the sweeper role.

McCarthy will be itching to prove to Muller that she made the right decision in switching from English club Poynton in the hope of kick-starting an international career in green.

She has enjoyed a superb debut season with Quins, winning a domestic double before making her mark as one of the standout performers at last month’s Irish Hockey League finals and at the senior interpros with Munster.

Sinead McCarthy gets away from two Pegasus players. The English-born defender has had a brilliant debut season with Quins. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Ireland senior women’s squads for upcoming series

Four-Nations tournament (Essen, Germany) panel: E Clarke (Leicester; 67 caps); B Cleland (Ballymoney; 144); L Colvin (Loreto; 31); E Cregan (Catholic Institute; 165); N Daly (Loreto; 2); N Evans (Railway Union; 0); M Goode (GK, Bray; 67); E Gray (GK, Hermes; 12); M Harvey (Pegasus; 32); L Jacob (UCD; 67); S McCay (Dragons; 85); A O’Flynn (UCC; 8); J O’Halloran (UCC; 48); C Sargent (Cork Harlequins; 59); N Small (Loreto; 27); E Smyth (Railway Union; 26); A Speers (Dragons; 72); N Symmons (Loreto; 136).

June 25: Ireland vs Australia, 7pm; June 26: Ireland vs Germany, 5pm, June 27: Ireland vs India, 12pm.

Australia series (Belfield) panel: E Clarke (Leicester; 67 caps); B Cleland (Ballymoney; 144); L Colvin (Loreto; 31); E Cregan (Catholic Institute; 165); N Daly (Loreto; 2); N Evans (Railway Union; 0); L Healy (Loreto; 49); E Gray (Hermes; 12); M Harvey (Pegasus; 32); L Jacob (UCD; 67); S McCarthy (Cork Harlequins; 0) S McCay (Dragons; 85); A O’Flynn (UCC; 8); J O’Halloran (UCC; 48); C Sargent (Cork Harlequins; 59); N Small (Loreto; 27); E Smyth (Railway Union; 26); A Speers (Dragons; 72); N Symmons (Loreto; 136)

June 30: Ireland vs Australia, 8pm, Belfield; July 2: Ireland vs Australia, 7.30pm, Belfield; July 3: Ireland vs Australia, 4pm, Belfield

The Irish Hockey Association said today that a 16-strong maiden Ireland U17 girls squad will be announced next week.

Thanks to support and funding from sponsors ESB and the Olympic Council of Ireland, the IHA last week were able to announce the participation of an U17 girls side at the World Youth Olympic Games.

High performance director Dave Passmore has teamed up with Ireland U18 coach Richie Malone and his U16 counterpart Una McCarthy to train and pick a squad at short notice, with the tournament taking place in Singapore from August 16-25.

David Passmore will take charge of an Irish U17 girls team at the World Youth Olympic Games. Picture: Adrian B“This is the perfect opportunity to develop a group of talented young athletes, many of whom have been through Irish Hockey’s talent ID system," said Passmore.

Passmore said: “Although the players will have little time together as a group before leaving for Singapore, the development they have undergone in the ESB sponsored U16 and U18 teams will hold them in good stead.

“The additional sponsorship that ESB provides has helped ensure these players are well prepared going into the summer U16 Europeans and U18 Four Nations.

“Our program will pick up after that but our priority at this stage is ensuring we select the most talented and committed 16 players to represent Ireland at the Youth Game Olympics.”

A full tournament schedule is expected to be announced in the next fortnight, though Ireland are set to be pitted against continental champions Korea, South Africa and the Netherlands, for a start.

Passmore added: “Whilst the tournament will be a challenging one in difficult climatic conditions it is the best way to test our young stars against the world’s best nations.”

The advent of a new junior age group between the traditional U16 and U18 slots suggests the squad is likely to be an amalgamation of eligible players within those squads, particularly given the small preparation timeframe.

When the squad will fit in training time remains to be seen, given both the U16 and U18 girls sides have a packed June and July on the horizon.

The international summer season gets underway later this month as Ireland compete in 55 fixtures across eight squads from late June to the end of July with the boys and girls U16 panels taking part in their major event, the European Nations Cup in Barcelona, both competing at A division level.

The women’s senior team will play nine internationals in a month, starting with a high quality four-nations tournament in Essen, Germany when they will challenge world cup finalists Australia, Germany and India.

The Aussies then follow on to play a three-game series in Belfield before Scotland come visiting in late July, giving Gene Muller plenty of scope to assess his squad’s make-up ahead of a hectic 2011 which will see the panel prepare for European championships and an Olympic tilt.

On the men’s side, Paul Revington’s side is in a similar phase of their development and will begin the task of attempting to replace the retired Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw the summer begins with the Celtic Cup in Le Touquet.

France come visiting a week later for a four-game schedule at Coolnafranky – Cookstown’s new state-of-the-art facility. The venue will also host both the men’s and women’s U21 Celtic Cup.

Finally, the Irish U18 boys and girls both have a busy couple of months ahead with nine fixtures each on home soil. These include series against Scotland and Belgium before taking on the Home Nations in Garryduff.

The IHA is inviting applications for the role of temporary U18 boys coach, following the recent resignation of incumbent Andy Smyth and manager Christopher McCandless over a funding dispute.

Irish international teams’ summer playing schedules

ESB Senior Women
June 25: Ireland vs Australia, 7pm, Four-Nations; Essen, Germany
June 26: Ireland vs Germany, 5pm, Four-Nations; Essen, Germany
June 27: Ireland vs India, 12pm, Four-Nations; Essen, Germany
June 30: Ireland vs Australia, 8pm, Belfield
July 2: Ireland vs Australia, 7.30pm, Belfield
July 3: Ireland vs Australia, 4pm, Belfield
July 23: Ireland vs Scotland, TBC
July 24: Ireland vs Scotland, TBC
July 25: Ireland vs Scotland, TBC

Senior Men
June 25: Ireland vs Scotland, 3pm, Celtic Cup; Le Touquet, France
June 26: Ireland vs Wales, 3pm, Celtic Cup; Le Touquet, France
June 27: Ireland vs France, 2pm, Celtic Cup; Le Touquet, France
June 30: Ireland vs France, 7.30pm/8pm, Cookstown
July 1: Ireland vs France, 6pm, Cookstown
July 3: Ireland vs France, 6pm, Cookstown
July 4: Ireland vs France, 6pm, Cookstown

Womens A/U21
June 29: Ireland A vs Scotland U-21, 6.30pm, Lisnagarvey
June 30: Ireland A vs Scotland U-21, 6.30pm, Lisnagarvey
July 2: Ireland vs Wales, 4pm, Junior Celtic Cup, Cookstown
July 3: Ireland vs France, 2pm, Junior Celtic Cup, Cookstown
July 4: Ireland vs France, 4pm, Junior Celtic Cup, Cookstown

Mens A/U21
July 2: Ireland vs Wales, 6pm, Junior Celtic Cup, Cookstown
July 3: Ireland vs France, 4pm, Junior Celtic Cup, Cookstown
July 4: Ireland vs Scotland, 4pm, Junior Celtic Cup, Cookstown
July 8: Ireland A vs Scotland U-21, TBC, Cookstown
July 10: Ireland A vs Scotland U-21, TBC, Cookstown
July 11: Ireland A vs Scotland U-21, TBC, Cookstown

Girls U18
June 29: Ireland vs Belgium, 4.15pm, Belfield
June 30: Ireland vs Belgium, 4pm, Belfield
July 1: Ireland vs Belgium, 2pm, Belfield
July 3: Ireland vs Scotland, TBC, Jordanstown
July 4: Ireland vs Scotland, TBC, Jordanstown
July 5: Ireland vs Scotland, TBC, Jordanstown
July 17: Ireland vs Wales, 6pm, Home Countries, Garryduff, Cork
July 18: Ireland vs England, 6pm, Home Countries, Garryduff, Cork
July 19: Ireland vs Scotland, 11am, Home Countries, Garryduff, Cork

Boys U18
June 25: Ireland vs Scotland, 8pm, Lisnagarvey
June 26: Ireland vs Scotland, 4pm, Lisnagarvey
June 27: Ireland vs Scotland, 12.30pm, Lisnagarvey
June 29: Ireland vs Belgium, 6.15pm, Belfield
June 30: Ireland vs Belgium, 6pm, Belfield
July 1: Ireland vs Belgium, 4pm, Belfield
July 17: Ireland vs Wales, 2pm, Home Countries, Garryduff, Cork
July 18: Ireland vs England, 2pm, Home Countries, Garryduff, Cork
July 19: Ireland vs England, 1pm, Home Countries, Garryduff, Cork

Girls U16
July 3: Ireland vs Wales, 6.30pm, Belfield
July 4: Ireland vs Wales, 1pm, Belfield
July 12: Ireland vs Ukraine, 8pm, Euro Nations, Barcelona
July 13: Ireland vs Spain, 6pm, Euro Nations, Barcelona
July 14: Ireland vs Russia, 8pm, Euro Nations, Barcelona
July 16/17 playoffs: Euro Nations, Barcelona

Boys U16
July 12: Ireland vs Netherlands, 10am, Euro Nations, Barcelona
July 13: Ireland vs Austria, 12pm, Euro Nations, Barcelona
July 14: Ireland vs Russia, 12pm, Euro Nations, Barcelona
July 16/17: playoffs, Euro Nations, Barcelona

A €275,00 cut in funding from the Irish Sports Council — plus the body’s desire to see a greater focus on elite sport — has seen new structures put in place, where every international from U16 to senior pay a contribution every year regardless of their upcoming programme.

But the administration of the new structure has left Smyth and McCandless at an impasse they feel cannot be bridged.

They fear the manner in which the levy has been administered could make the sport increasingly “elitist” and unavailable to more people in society.

“I have witnessed many decisions taken which were based on what was best for the players, the parents, supporters of Irish hockey and also the sport itself in order that we move forward and develop,” said Smyth.

“Recently, I have serious doubts over whether this is still the case.

“Figures supplied to me from the IHA for this season are requiring a player contribution of €425 (to include a target of local lotto sales of €175) to play. When we received our budget for the year, myself and Christopher sat down and tried to come up with cost cutting measures to keep these costs down to a minimum. All of these were rejected.”

Smyth contends that in a non-European championship year, that his U18 side did not need a large programme, but says his pleas fell on deaf ears.

He does believe a player contribution is a necessary evil in the current financial climate, but how it has been conducted has made his position untenable.

“I am not opposed to pay to play. I feel it is necessary in order to secure Junior Age Group hockey in Ireland. What I am opposed to is the blanket charging for every squad regardless of what phase of competition we are in.”

Smyth says he unsuccessfully lobbied for pro-rata player contributions, and asked they be shared between 24 players rather than 18.

“I am not adverse to charging players if I felt that everything and every avenue had been exhausted with regards keeping the costs down,” he added. “In my opinion this has not been the case.”

For his part, McCandless added that the decision to levy “may cause hardship and embarrassment to certain players and their parents and contribute to our sport becoming elitist in the future”.

“This is not a policy supported by the vast majority of the hockey public and I believe it could cause long term damage at grass roots level at a time when we should be encouraging youth into our sport as one open and accessible to all.”

To read more about this story, click here.

Quins were double winners on the night, with veteran former Irish international Karen Bateman rewarded for her role in helping her side to a maiden Irish Hockey League final with the ESB Women’s Club Player of the Year prize.

Bateman also played a central role as Hharlequins claimed a Munster league and cup double and is the only player to have been involved in all 15 of their successive league titles won since 1996.

Irish internationals Alan Sothern, Tim Lewis and John Jermyn at the Irish Hockey Awards. Picture: Tristan Seaton-Stedham

David Egner was also praised for his tireless contribution to youth coaching in Munster, notably with the province’s U18 girls, in taking the U18 Coach of the Year award.

Brother and sister Gareth and Chloe Watkins — of Monkstown and Hermes, respectively — followed in the footsteps of Gordon and Trevor Watkins as family members to earn the coveted awards, taking the Men’s Club Player and ESB U18 Female Player of the Year awards, respectively.

Railway Union ladies, meanwhile, capped their treble-winning season with the Club of the Year crown while Mick McKinnon took the Coach of the Year crown, having led his side to a treble of Leinster league, Irish Indoor Trophy and Irish Hockey League.

Glenanne’s Shane O’Donoghue was the recipient of the Boys U18 Player of the Year after becoming the club’s first team top scorer from play this term, netting 18 times in total.

Kieran Bolger was rewarded for an excellent season with the whistle to take Umpire of the Year while Graham Shaw was presented with his 150th cap — earned in Argentina in the World Cup Qualifiers.

The senior player of the year sections, nominated by the Irish senior international panels, saw Mikey Watt and Bridget Cleland named by their peers as the top performers in the past 12 months.

The event was attended by 400 people in attendance, including former world super-bantamweight champion boxer Bernard Dunne, Sports Minister Mary Hanafin, and compered by RTÉ’s Darragh Maloney.

For the full set of Tristan Seaton-Stedham’s pictures from the awards, click here.

For much of the past two decades, Pegs have been Irish hockey’s dominant force, and carried an air of invincibility on big days on the national stage.

Rachael Kohler: believes tough fixtures against UCC and Institute will stand Quins in good stead. Picture: Ondine Roche

But former Irish international captain Kohler – the most capped player of all time, with 166 appearances to her name – says Quins will have no fears tomorrow.

“It’s probably very different from previous years. We’ve had this idea in the past that we’d never be able to beat Pegasus, when you’ve continuously lost to the same team,” she said.

“But an awful lot of our players don’t even know who Pegasus are so you can’t really look back too much historically on the fixture at all.

“Our squad this year is a real mix and it’s worked really well for us with the experience to steady the ship and the youth to bring a lot of excitement, particularly in the forwards, so hopefully that should stand to us this weekend.”

Like Pegasus, Quins have recently annexed their provincial championship following a late flurry of fixtures.

But the quality of recent fixtures – three battles with fellow title contenders UCC and one with Catholic Institute – has been a huge boost for the Farmer’s Cross outfit in the run-up to the biggest game of their season.

Quins have often had it their own way in that past decade and a half but the students and, latterly, Institute, have closed the margins in recent times.

“Those matches have definitely helped. Before the Munster league may have been one or two team race but this year every game was challenging.  In the last few weeks, we’ve had quite a few pressurised games so we’re hoping this will stand to us.

“Saturday will be a much bigger occasion but we’re used to a couple of must-win league games already in the past few weeks.”

There is nonetheless a healthy mutual respect between the sides, and Pegs’ experienced campaigner Arlene Boyles is anticipating another tough encounter here.

“Like any Munster side, they’ll be difficult to get past, disciplined in the way they play, run for every ball and challenge to the best of their ability.

“Over the years, all of us have played a Munster side that we’ve struggled against and I don’t think Saturday will be any different.”

Arlene Boyles: "All of us have played a Munster side we've struggled against over the years."

It’s an all-Dublin affair in the other semi-final (10.30am), with Railway Union coming face to face with Hermes, the only side to beat them in normal time this season.

Railway’s Isobel Joyce believes her side will be galvanised by their experiences last weekend, when they lost the Irish Senior Cup final to Loreto on penalty strokes, in their first ever appearance in the decider.

“It makes it easier because we made it to the biggest stage and played really well,” she said. “Obviously we lost but we were very proud of the way we played. The nerves we might have had going into Saturday won’t be as strong after that.”

Hermes’ Christine Quinlan quashed any suggestions of a revenge mission for her side, having lost the league decider to Railway.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily revenge but we have a few things we want to put right ourselves; things we need to put to bed. In the Leinster league decider, we didn’t play our best and there was no question of being cheated out of it or anything, they were the better team on the day.”

Meanwhile, Corinthian battle Lisnagarvey in the men’s semis (5pm), with curiosity resting on ‘Garvey’s Jekyll and Hyde form thus far this term.

They have been awesome in the country’s premier competition, but patchy in Ulster’s top tier, requiring them to venture into the wildcard playoffs last weekend to qualify.

It’s a situation which has Corinthian’s South African star Andrew Cronje on his guard.

“They’re in the semi-finals for a reason but we’ve had a good look at them [at last week’s wildcard playoffs] and will have our tactics. They play a high tempo and intensity game so it should be a cracker and we’re looking forward to it.”

The other last four tie brings together Irish hockey’s heavyweights, as Pembroke Wanderers meet Glenanne in a reprisal of last year’s final, which was decided in Pembroke’s favour on penalty shuttles.

Rebecca Barry's pace and dribbling skills will be an asset for Catholic Institute in the IHL wildcard playoffs. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Glens go into this encounter with their tails up after last weekend’s Irish Senior Cup win, while Pembroke must do without Justin Sherriff and Tim Lewis, with Gordon Elliott another who may yet be ruled out.

But Pembroke skipper Alan Giles appeared unruffled by the absence of some star names.

“Certainly they do bring masses of experience and strength, but the squad has been together for the last two or three years and has grown. We do have a lot of depth and experience in the squad so I wouldn’t be overly concerned.”

For Glenanne, it could be an emotional weekend, as three of their older guard will bow out of the club when their IHL campaign ends. Stephen Butler is off to Belgium, while Clinton Murphy and Paul Fitzpatrick are exiting first-team hockey.

It’s a situation that has skipper Joe Brennan hoping the trio can sign off in style.

“For our club, it would be outstanding. We don’t have the luxuries of a lot of clubs. We struggle in a lot of ways to try and do things because the financial backing isn’t always there.

“To do the double would be unbelievable and something we really want to do, especially for people like Graham (Shaw) and Stephen. It may look like we’ve over-achieved but we feel we’ve under-achieved, losing two of these finals. We haven’t won [the All-Ireland] in ten years and it’s the one we want more than anything.”

Meanwhile, the women’s IHL wildcard playoffs are also being contested at Grange Road, with two sides to qualify from the four-team tournament.

Irish Trophy holders Catholic Institute fly the flag for Munster as they bid to qualify for the first time – as are Connacht champions Greenfields.

And Ger O’Carroll’s side have plenty going for them, with Elaine Bromell’s experience holding things together at the back, alongside calm heads such as Sheena Mannion, Christine O’Shea and Keely Cantrell.

Adam Pritchard (left) is one of four Cork men involved in the men's IHL semi-finals, alongside Pembroke team-mates Conor and David Harte and Lisnagarvey's Jason Lynch. Picture: Adrian Boehm

At the other end, the younger brigade of Rebecca Barry and Naomi Carroll provide the fireworks, with Kym Daly doing the midfield probing.

A further boost for Institute comes with the news that Irish skipper Eimear Cregan is eligible to participate, having been cup-tied for Institute’s victorious Irish Trophy campaign.

However, cruciate ligament injury victim Katie Campbell is a long-term absentee, while Roisin Upton is also out after a recent operation.

However, experience at this level dictates that Ballymoney and Old Alex will be favourites on paper. Institute are particularly unfortunate that they find themselves pitched in the toughest wildcard of the three to have taken place so far, with the presence of ‘Money – Irish Senior Cup finalists as recently as 2008 – a particular challenge.

To read full interviews with representatives from each of the IHL finalists, click here.

ESB Irish Hockey League finals, Grange Road, Dublin

Tomorrow

Men’s semi-finals: Pembroke Wanderers vs Glenanne (3pm); Corinthian vs Lisnagarvey (5pm).

Women’s semi-finals: Railway Union vs Hermes (10.30am); Cork Harlequins vs Pegasus (12.30pm).

Sunday

Men’s final: 4pm.

Women’s final: 1.30pm.

ESB IHL Women’s Wildcard Playoffs, Grange Road, Dublin

Today

Old Alex vs Catholic Institute (7.30pm); Ballymoney vs Greenfields (8pm).

Tomorrow

Greenfields vs Old Alex (3.15pm); Catholic Institute vs Ballymoney (5pm).

Sunday

Greenfields vs Catholic Institute (11.30am); Ballymoney vs Old Alex (3.30pm).