Dutch stars dropped

DUTCH stars Teun de Nooijer and Taeke Taekema may miss out on the Olympics after they were dropped from the Netherlands national side.

The veteran duo, who boast 685 caps between them, have been sidelined by coach Paul Van Ass ahead of his side’s camps in Spain — where they play Ireland in a three-game series later this month — and Australia.

Meanwhile, Three Rock Rovers’ bid to secure National Indoor Trophy glory again this weekend has been clouded by the club’s withdrawal from the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Challenge II in Malatya, Turkey.

The withdrawal of a key sponsor just before Christmas left them unable to afford to travel.

YMCA – as runners-up in 2011 – were subsequently offered the place but were not in a position to travel at short notice, meaning there will not be an Irish representative in the competition this term.

Munster interest in this weekend’s finals lies with Cork natives Nick Burns (Pembroke) and Darren Farrell (Railway Union).

The duo play outdoors with UCD and Monkstown respectively but are guesting for other clubs this weekend.