Passmore demands winning start as Scots offer stern test

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.

Coach Dave Passmore, who wants a successful start to his preparations for next year’s European Championships in Manchester, has named a 28-man squad which is backboned by the experienced trio of Paddy Brown, Stephen Butler and Mark Irwin – each of whom has passed the 100-cap mark.

Younger talents like Tim Lewis, Alan Sothern, Adam Pritchard, Johnny Quigley, John Jackson and Mitch Darling are also included though none will feature until Sunday’s final Test.

Passmore expects a tough challenge from the Scots who are ranked 22 in the world, four below Ireland.

He explained: “This is the beginning of what will be a very intensive period for the players as we prepare for the Europeans and the Scots will be a very tough opening proposition. They are ranked close to us in the world standings and they are an experienced outfit who will pose us a lot of problems”.

He promised Ireland would be adopting a more adventurous style of play this weekend — even if it leaves his defence exposed. “I want to see a more open and attacking style this weekend, which we will be fine tuning as we get closer to the Europeans, and while this may lead to us conceding more goals than I would normally like, it is a necessary part of the learning process,” Passmore commented.

And he has no fears for his young guns following their recent interpro performances.

“The younger guys really stepped up at the interpros and this weekend I’ll be asking them to make another step forward. They are doing the right things and if they continue that trend they will have other opportunities.

“After this series, our next focus will be on a training camp in South Africa in January and I’m keen that everyone who deserves a chance, gets just that. Of course, I’m looking for a series win against the Scots, but it is important for the players to remember that anyone who misses the flight to South Africa will find it very difficult to make the breakthrough thereafter.

“From an individuals’ point of view this weekend is very important and we will also be conducting fitness testing in December to make sure the players are doing the right things.

“On the basis of the information we gather this weekend and also on December 17, we will pick the squad for South Africa.”

He added: “Obviously we have to look at all this in the context of a wide range of players and we will be looking for a step up in performance from the games against China earlier this season, which I was not overly impressed with.”

IRELAND Squad (v Scotland): A Barbour, M. Black, P. Brown (Capt.), K. Burns, S. Butler, T. Cockram, M. Gleghorne, R. Gormley, D. Harte (GK), C. Harte, D. Hobbs, M. Irwin, J. Jermyn, G. Lennox (GK), I. Lewers, E. Magee, G. McCabe, S. Nicholson, S. Redpath, G. Shaw, I. Walker (GK), M. Watt, T. Lewis, A. Sothern, M. Darling, J. Quigley, A Pritchard.