Olympics to focus minds over weekend

There will be an extra motivation for the members of Ireland’s senior men’s team as they line out for their clubs in the Irish Senior Cup’s opening round this weekend.

Last Sunday’s news of Olympic qualification means those inside the Irish set-up and those hoping to break into it will have Rio on their minds, but only 16 athletes can be selected to travel to Brazil next August. The majority of his home-based players will be hoping to help their clubs advance in one of the world’s oldest hockey competitions.

Munster hopes rest heavily on Irish Hockey League leaders Cork Church of Ireland who will look to build on their early 100% record in that competition as they visit Corinthian.