MEN'S HOCKEY: International preview: Ireland face Belgium tonight at Grange Road in the first of two evening international matches on successive Wednesdays. Hastily arranged, the Belgians arrive as the first low cost international of the modern age, arriving at 6.0 pm to Dublin via a Ryanair flight from Charlroi and travelling home first thing on Thursday morning. The match begins at 8.30pm.
Ireland too congregate rather late for the match this afternoon and they will face the higher ranked side (14th in the world) without the experienced Pembroke duo of goalkeeper Nigel Henderson and striker Gordon Elliott.
It should act as an early indicator of just how the side is progressing under new coach Dave Passmore, who had the squad over in Spain at the beginning of the year for a warm weather training stint.
Belgium are currently tuning up for participation in the Champions Challenge event in Egypt at the beginning of April, a second tier world event in the mould of the Champions Trophy.
There are no new caps named tonight in what will be the first time Passmore has seen the Irish side in a competitive international match, although, Trinity's Phelie Maguire and David Bane from Aer Lingus could expect a run next week in the second of what will be two tough tests.
Belgium narrowly missed out on Athens Olympic qualification when they were beaten by South Africa on penalty strokes.
The last time the two sides played in a major competition was at the European Nations Cup in Barcelona in 2003 when Belgium equalised in the last minute for a 3-3 draw ensuring they qualified for the fifth to eighth place play-offs at Ireland's expense.
"I will be using the tests to look at different player combinations and positions in addition to experimenting with systems of play. Belgium provide ideal opposition, especially as they have been away in Australia preparing," said Passmore.
IRELAND: W Bateman (GK-Cork Harlequins), J Black (Cork Harlequins), M Black (Cork Harlequins), P Brown (Instonians), S Butler (Dragons), T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), R Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers), C Henderson (GK-Corinthian), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), M Irwin (Instonians), I Lewers (Annadale), S Nicholson (Cork Harlequins), M Raphael (Lisnagarvey), G Shaw (Annadale), B Waring (Lisnagarvey), Justin Sherriff (Dragons).
