Irish women's hockey team bid for success in Chile

Now that the dust has settled on Europe's volcano crisis Ireland's women's hockey team can finally concentrate on their World Cup Qualifier in South America this week.

The ESB-sponsored Irish squad are starting their first week in Chile having finally got the green light to depart at the weekend.

The Irish management split the squad into two to get the team there as early as possible and the remainder of the Irish players arriving in Chile today ahead of their first game against Malaysia on Wednesday.

Matches against Scotland, the host nation Chile and the fancied Australia beckon this week as the girls in green look to confirm a place in the sport's Women's World Cup.

Now that the uncertainty around their involvement and travel plans have been cleared up the squad and management are focussing on the opposition and believe they are as well equipped as they can be for the week ahead.