No ranking change for men or women

Despite improved performances for both the Irish men and women in their respective European competitions, the pair remain at 18th and 15th in the latest world rankings list, released on September 1.

The ranking list takes in the recently completed European series but points gained in the Champion’s Challenge events will not be calculated until Champion’s Trophy is completed – October for the women, December for the men.

Neither competition is likely to make a massive impact on current standing but the upcoming World Cup qualifiers will have a much bigger say – with final tallies to kick in 2010.

To that end, a major shark has been thrown into the women’s mix with Australia ousted on penalty strokes by New Zealand in the Oceania zone last Saturday.

Indeed, Ireland are likely to be the sixth ranked country for the qualifiers – behind the Australians, USA, Azerbaijan and two Asian sides – and could well draw the Hockeyroos as a result, which would represent an incredibly tough draw.

This situation, though, is dependent on how the exceptionally competitive Asian qualifying zone pans out.

For the men, Argentina looks increasingly likely to be the destination. Ireland will be the ninth ranked of the 18 sides in the WCQs, meaning two higher ranked sides will need to be overcome to secure a place in India next March.