Ireland bid to live up to favourites’ tag

AS RUNAWAY favourites for the EuroHockey Nations Trophy, Irish men’s coach Paul Revington will be dealing with the rare notion in Irish hockey of high expectations.

His debut ranking-tournament saw Ireland come within 20 seconds of a major title, denied by Poland’s last gasp equaliser in the Champion’s Challenge II final.

And anything but a top-two position this week will be viewed as a major disappointment as Ireland begin the tournament as runaway favourites.