Gareth Grundie has taken on the role of Irish women’s interim head coach in recent weeks as the Olympic qualifier preparations kick up a gear.

The allocation of additional funding of €1.75 million for high performance sport ahead of Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games in 2020 has been announced.

Ireland face a rematch with India in the Hockey World Cup quarter-finals tomorrow evening as the Asian side eased by the challenge of Italy 3-0 in their crossover tie in London.

Where once just Bandon was the last outpost beyond Cork’s city limits, a hockey revolution of sorts is spreading south and west of the county, giving optimism for further expansion.