IRELAND all but assured themselves of a UCD Nations Cup final place as they hammered France 6-1 in Belfield last night, rounding off a miserable few days for the French.

THE feelgood factor for Irish hockey continued last night in Belfield as a second quarter blitz saw a sixth win in four days for the country’s senior teams as they beat China 4-2.

DEFENDING champion Alan Dunbar hopes his batteries will be recharged when he tees it up at Royal Dublin this morning and takes on six of his fellow Walker Cup squad members in the Irish Amateur Open.

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

Ireland men’s coach Dave Passmore has named his 18-man squad for the EuroHockey Championships in Manchester this month, keeping faith with 15 players who featured at last year’s World Cup qualifiers.

Barry Coughlan