Ireland face tough European opener

HAVING watched their male counterparts blaze a trail of glory for the majority of the summer, Ireland’s senior women have a chance to keep the good vibes coming as they begin their EuroHockey Nations Championship campaign in Amsterdam tomorrow.

While the men have been cleaning up in second-tier competitions – winning three and losing the final of a fourth – Gene Muller says his women’s side will have different priorities in mind as they compete at the top level, namely retaining their A division status.

Automatic World Cup qualification is the carrot for the semi-finalists, but to achieve this, Ireland would need to upset either Germany or Spain – third and seventh in the world respectively – in the pool stages.