Friday, March 6, 2009

U-21 Interpros refixed/Irish cup action

The IHA announced this morning that the Management Board has approved the recommendation to reschedule the U-21 Interprovincial Tournaments for the weekend of 17/19 April 2009 in Grange Road.

The date could prove an interesting one, coinciding as it does with the final round of Leinster league matches with Glenanne set to visit Three Rock in a potentially title-deciding tie.

Glenanne had Richie Shaw and Jonathon Kane included in Niall Denham's initial Leinster squad as was Rover's Timmy Hill while Patrick Shanahan is in the Munster squad.

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There is a wealth of IHT, IHC and IJC action this weekend, here's the rundown.*

ESB Irish Hockey Trophy – semi-finals
Ulster Elks v Cookstown, 1pm, UUJ; Catholic Inst v Genesis, 1pm, Rosbrien

Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy – semi-finals
North Down v Catholic Inst, 2.30pm, Comber; NICS v Antrim, 2.30pm, Stormont

ESB Irish Hockey Challenge – semi-finals
Fermoy v Naas, 12pm, Midleton; YMCA v Clonmel, 3pm, Claremont Rd

Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge – semi-finals
Down v Campbellians, 1pm, Donard Park; Saintfield v Mullingar, 1pm, Saintfield

Men’s Irish Junior Cup – Quarter Final
Pembroke II v Corinthian II, 1pm, Serpentine Avenue

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Monkstown and Corinthians might not want to be missing their U21 players on the final weekend if both fighting for fourth place in the league.

Any news on the Leinster U21 cup final? Monkstown have been waiting since before Christmas to find out who they play in the final. When is the final going to be played?

Anonymous said...

u21 Final has to be played by March 29th.
Glenanne and Pembroke are in the other semi, Glenanne having only played their quarter the other night as Avoca couldn't field a team when it was originally scheduled to be played.

Anonymous said...

Avoca did field a team!!! We lost 5-1. Get your facts right buddy!!!

Anonymous said...

Corinthians 2's to win the lot. We're gonna win the league and IJC. Pembroke aren't the team they were

Anonymous said...

"Avoca did field a team!!! We lost 5-1. Get your facts right buddy!!!"

Read my comment right buddy.
The first time we were supposed to play you a few weeks ago the game was called because you couldn't field a team.

Anonymous said...

Who cares if Leinster 21s are missing players there not going to win the u21s anyway

Anonymous said...

I have checked and Leinster have first call on the players.
So the players have interesting options.

Or are we really seeing the last of the inter-pros at Senior and U21 level.

Clubs in Leinster and Munster have arranged matches which means that the full squads have not really trained together.

Anonymous said...

Corinthians to win the IJC???? Dont make me laugh.. They will have to beat YM first and lets be honest thats NOT going to happen!

Anonymous said...

Just hope they play the tournament at Pembroke or at UCD.

Anonymous said...

why is there allt hese negative comments about senior and u21 inter pros its still a very worthwhile event in both cases as it gives fringe players another chance to showcase their talent.
is this not what irish hockey is in desperate need?

Anonymous said...

why do you want it to be played in Pembroke or UCD, TRR is leinsters home ground so its going to be played there.

Anonymous said...

well it says its in grange road, so its prob in pembroke yeah

Anonymous said...

What Irish hockey is "in desperate need of "is some new blood at both IHA Management level and LB level.

Inter pros have had their day,no need now for Senior/u-21 total waste of time money and effort.Leinster playes have to pay 1/3 total cost which includes DINNER for the blazers on Sat night. Leinster have NO game on the Sunday but have to stay over at extra cost just to satisfy the blazers.

There are NO fringe players out there waiting to be discovered.Every worthwhile GOOD player is already in some IHA panel or other,organised by IHA coaches.
Total mess created by IHA decision to re fix u-21 inter-pro on 18th.April despite it being last day of Leinster Senior League a decision that could put clubs futher participation in IHL league at stake.
This is typical of a group who have no real interest club hockey and their efforts to qualify for EHL.Putting a JUNIOR (u-21) hockey tournament before SENIOR League hockey is madness.
Players and clubs are being put in a impossible position.Leinster should support their senior clubs and insist players required for CLUB Duty should be released and not to pander to the blazers and their free dinners.

Anonymous said...

Pembroke only has one pitch, you cant play interpros on one pitch!

Anonymous said...

"interpros have had their day" disgraceful comment, have u ever considered that players might actually want to represent their province out of pride alone!

Anonymous said...

Not sure why the weekend in question was picked but one has to question the commitment of the Leinster branch to the interpros. The initial ones in Feb had a programme of matches fixed for that weekend too and they were cancelled in haste I think to ensure this was highlighted. The 21s and Senior interpros if they are to continue in the same format should be free weekends so that all players eligible can be available for their provinces. The format is another debate.

Anonymous said...

Well said above, where has the pride gone in irish hockey??? Sport is about players from beginners to elite being given a place to play, perform and compete, representing your province alone is a great honour for any player from U16 up to Senior,many people make friends for life while training and playing with squads and also improve their skill and tactical awareness taking the advantage of playing with and against better players than themselves, we cannot disregard the affective elements of such tournaments.