Pembroke get Euro bid underway in Barcelona

PEMBROKE WANDERERS coach Craig Fulton has been forced to name three goalkeepers in his squad as the national champions get their EuroHockey League campaign underway in Barcelona tonight.

With Irish international number one David Harte only available for tonight’s clash with Scottish outfit Kelburne due to college commitments, Fulton is also bringing veteran Nigel Henderson and Simon Thornton.

Pembroke will need to draw on all of Henderson’s experience as they face Dutch giants Rotterdam on Sunday.

But they will be targeting the Kelburne game, as a three-goal victory there should send them into the last 16 regardless of the result against a star-studded Rotterdam outfit.

Glenanne are Ireland’s other representatives at the tournament, but have drawn the short straw in terms of fixtures and opposition. Firstly, they must contend with 2008 champions Uhlenhorst Hamburg tonight, before taking on Polish kingpins Grunwald Poznan less than 24 hours later.

Coach Arul Anthoni has brought a 20-strong panel to Catalonia, which will be whittled down to 18 today ahead of the club’s EHL debut.

Domestically, all eyes are on the women’s game this weekend as the first round of the ESB Irish Senior Cup gets underway.

Title holders UCD host Cork Church of Ireland in the tie of the round at Belfield. Both sides have been weakened by departures over the summer, but home advantage will make Mary Logue’s students favourites.

Belfast Harlequins make the journey south to take on their Cork namesakes at Harlequin Park, and Eddie Gash’s new-look side will be looking to pick up where they left off a fortnight ago when they put eight past Waterford.

Last year’s Leinster league champions Railway Union will be heading north to play Victorians, while Corinthian host last year’s runners-up Pegasus. Trinity will go in search of a major upset as they take on Hermes at St Andrew’s.

League action is the focus of the Munster men’s teams, with UCC’s trip to Quins B the pick of the ties due to the interest in how a revamped College side will fare on their competitive debut under new coach Neil Welch.

While the students can now call on the likes of Andrew Gray, Munster U21 skipper Roger Gray and David Mills, they will be without Spaniard Albert Valles, who looks set for a baptism of fire as he makes his competitive debut for Catholic Institute against champions Cork C of I.

In the women’s league, Waterford look forward to welcoming Bandon to the south east, having endured some heavy defeats on their travels to Quins and C of I in the opening weeks.

Ashton’s visit to UL already has the look of a relegation six-pointer about it, as both have been on the end of some heavy defeats already this term.