Tottenham missed out on a place in next season’s UEFA Cup following a draw at half-time of the opening match of the Women’s European Championships.

IRISH hockey took its first step on the journey towards excellence in Dublin yesterday with the announcement that Ireland has been short-listed to host the men’s hockey qualifying tournament for the Beijing Olympics.

HOCKEY officials are expecting an upsurge in the popularity of the sport when Dublin hosts the Women’s European Championships in Belfield next year.