NIGEL BUTTIMER has announced his retirement from international hockey at the age of 28.

Ireland women’s coach Riet Kuper has omitted three experienced internationals from her training squad, which travels to Spain next month, in order to give younger players a chance.

DESPITE the fact that Cork Harlequins have beaten today’s Irish Senior Women’s Cup opponents Knock in the competition for the past two years, coach Ivan Bateman is taking nothing for granted in the third round encounter at Harlequin Park (hit off 1.30pm).

IRISH ladies hockey coach Riet Kuper has named a squad of 20 to travel to America next month as preparations intensify ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland from March 19-28.

Five uncapped players have been named in the Irish women’s hockey squad to play three Test matches in the USA next month.

MUNSTER revived their hopes of retaining the men’s hockey Interprovincial Championship by beating Ulster at Harlequins Park yesterday but it was Connacht ladies who commanded the spotlight.

MUNSTER ladies will be attempting to end an eight-year wait when the senior hockey inter-provincial tournament is staged at Harlequin Park, Cork, this weekend.