News in brief: McGrath to coach Navan

* Navan have appointed Steven McGrath as their head coach for the upcoming division two campaign. McGrath brings with him a wealth of coaching experience with numerous clubs including Three Rock and Railway Union as well as being involved in the set-up of North Wicklow hockey club and is a regular Sportways’ coach.

* Sixteen men’s teams and ten women’s teams have confirmed they will compete in the revamped National Indoor Trophy for the 2009/10 season.

On the men’s side Annadale, Galway, Suttonians, Monkstown, UCD, YMCA, Belfast Harlequins, Dublin University, Clontarf, Pembroke Wanderers, Railway Union, Avoca, Three Rock Rovers, Corinthian and two Glenanne sides take part.

In the women’s section, Bray, Hermes, Old Alex, Pembroke Wanderers, Loreto, Corinthian, UCD, Glenanne and Railway Union bid to oust Galway. Details of the qualification rounds will be released by the end of August, including dates, locations and format.

* Fingal ladies, who play and train in the ALSAA sports complex beside Dublin Airport, have a coaching position available for their first eleven, currently playing in Division 3 of the Leinster League for the coming season.

An attractive package is available for the right candidate. Please forward all inquiries to Ita McMahon on itamcmahon@gmail.com.

*Ireland’s U-16 boys and girls will compete in Barcelona, it was announced this week, in the EuroHockey U-16 Youth Nations Championships 2010.

The boys have been drawn in a group with the Netherlands, Russia and Austria while the girls are pitted against Spain, Russia and Ukraine. The tournaments will be played on July 12-17, 2009.

* Lisnagarvey have announced Drew Campbell (pictured, second from left) as their new head coach. Speaking of his new post, he said: “This is a great opportunity for me as the club enters a new chapter and I am very excited by the prospect of the role. I have worked with several of the current squad at Ulster & Irish level and it will be great to team up with them again and help them develop further”.

Campbell has previously coached at Ulster U-16, Irish U-16 level while he was also the Irish ladies assistant coach as well being a past coach at the club at Garvey’s youth section and men’s second eleven.

* Railway Union first team skipper Isobel Joyce and twin sister Cecelia starred as Ireland claimed the senior women’s European Championships at the Hills on Wednesday. Cecelia hit 35 off 47 balls to guide Ireland to a ten-wicket win over the Netherlands in the final, in response to the Dutch total of just 68.