MEN'S HOCKEY: A caretaker coach is expected to be appointed by the Irish Hockey Association as a temporary successor to John Clarke in time for the men's Celtic Cup next month.

The IHA's coaching committee will discuss the vacancy at a meeting on Sunday, one that arose after Clarke's request for an extension to his contract was turned down.

The possibility of a number of the current men's squad being unavailable for the Celtic Cup (June 25th-27th) should hasten the appointment of a caretaker ahead of next week's interprovincial championship in Belfast, the final opportunity of the season to do some talent-spotting before the tournament with Scotland, Wales and France in Dublin.

Enough names to form a hockey team have been bandied about so far, in connection with the post, including Dave Passmore, Stephen Watt, Soma Singh, Simon Filgas, Denis Pritchard, Bert Vreeken, Graham Francey, Stephen Jackson, Paul Cooke and George Blackwood, with a Terry Gregg/Peter McCabe reunion also being touted by some.

But how many of them will be given serious consideration by the IHA, only the IHA knows.

Passmore, who is based in Charleville, has won plenty of admirers since his arrival at Cork Harlequins but as a salaried employee of the body that runs English and British hockey's elite programme, World Class Hockey Limited (they appointed him women's start and potential co-ordinator last year), his appointment might prove to be beyond the IHA's means.

On his departure Clarke stated his belief that, to prepare properly for next year's European campaign, it was "critical" that a new coach be appointed immediately but, short of a permanent successor being immediately available and affordable, it is likely that the senior squad will have to make do with a caretaker for now, perhaps until the new club season starts.

It is considered unlikely that the caretaker will be a contender for the permanent position.