THE Irish men’s international hockey season has a tough opening weekend with three tests against Scotland at Instonians’ newly laid water-based pitch in Belfast.

NEW Church of Ireland coach Neil Welsh has obviously slipped comfortably into his latest role, especially when he lays it down thick that arch-rivals Harlequins will be “red hot favourites” to win tomorrow’s vital league clash between the two provincial powerhouses at Farmer’s Cross.

hopes of regaining ‘A’ status in European Club hockey vanished yesterday when Cork Church of Ireland were beaten 3-1 by hosts Slavia Praha in the European Hockey Trophy in Prague.