While Ireland’s men are still riding high on the back of Olympic qualification, the same can’t be said of South Africa.

Since the demise of the senior interprovincial tournament, its junior counterpart has taken on ever-increasing relevance and it again comes to Cork this weekend.

Slovakia 0 Republic of Ireland 1

Ireland coach Craig Fulton will be taking on some familiar faces this afternoon as his men’s senior team play South Africa on day one of the London Cup.

After a spectacular 2011, Ireland’s men will hope they can continue the momentum and qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.

IAN SLOAN gets another chance to continue his remarkable development into a top-class international hockey star after he was named in the Irish squad for next week’s INSEP Five Nations in Paris.

ÁINE CONNERY looks set to be given the chance to resurrect her Irish international hockey career, after she was confirmed as a participant in the team’s central preparation programme (CPP) yesterday.

IRISH women’s hockey captain Eimear Cregan is on the verge of a move from Cork Harlequins to Catholic Institute, it emerged yesterday.

THE Irish Hockey Association has appointed Paul Varian to the permanent position of Chief Executive.