There may not be light at end of tunnel for Irish in Rome

THE Irish men’s hockey team today stand on the brink of attaining their goal at the European Nations Hockey Championships, but dodgy floodlights at the Tre Fontane Stadium in Rome may frustrate their ambitions.

Following their 1-1 Pool A game against Wales last Tuesday night, criticism of the lighting at the stadium was unanimous, with captain Paddy Brown and keeper Wes Bateman particularly vocal.

However, coach Dave Passmore dismissed the issue, claiming the lighting, which throws a patchy cover over the Tre Fontane pitch, was a problem of equal measure for both teams.

Both Brown and Bateman claimed the lighting system in the first match against Wales did not provide an even spread of illumination across the pitch, making it difficult to see the ball.

Their concern pre-supposes they will reach the final on Saturday after today’s semi-final against Austria who, along with the Czech Republic, qualified from Pool B to face Ireland and Wales respectively. However, Passmore is adamant the Irish will not be asking for any changes to the system.

Obviously unwilling to deflect from his team’s goal of winning this tournament and achieving European ‘A’ status, a chance of qualifying for the World Championships and also the possibility of hosting a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics, Passmore played down the problem.

Today’s semi-final today against Austria will be played in daylight (hit-off 4pm local time in Rome), but if the Irish reach the final, the game is timed for 6.45pm (local time) and that means lighting will have to be used.

With his side still not firing on all cylinders, despite comfortably qualifying top of their pool, Passmore’s main concern is about getting the most from his team.

The coach admitted he did not know a lot about the Austrians apart from the fact that they were a good counter-attacking side with plenty of flair and an ability to score goals.

Their 5-4 win over Italy, which was the death-knell for the home side, was the major shock of the tournament, and their qualification for the semi-finals, along with the Czechs (who face Wales tonight under the dreaded lights) was relatively unexpected.

But Ireland are not quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Austria.

Vice-captain Jason Black said: “We were expecting to face Italy somewhere along the line but they’ve not come through, so we just have to deal with what we face now.”

Ireland’s most recent game against the Austrians was a 1-1 draw in 2002, but the Irish camp reckon they can do better this time.

Team manager Stephen Hiles said last night: “The prize for us is a place in the final, and that in itself means promotion to the ‘A’ Division in European Hockey.

“Obviously we want to win this thing, but by beating Austria we will have achieved one of our goals. We are reasonably confident, but taking nothing for granted and we are enjoying the pressure,” he said.

Ireland have no injury worries and the squad came through a rigorous training session at Tre Fontane yesterday.