Saturday, September 26, 2009

Three Rock Rovers

Last Season: 3rd, IHL semi-finals, EHL last 16

Coach: Maarten Bos (1st season)

Players In: Sven Gjaalardt (Netherlands), Pieter Steins-Bisschop (Netherlands)
Players Out: Tim Hill (UCD), Lucas Piccioli (Corinthian), Andy McConnell (Pembroke), Phelie Maguire (KHC Leuven), Mitch Darling (KHC Leuven)

Summary: How Rovers will fare is one of the big unknowns as the loss of three Irish internationals panellists has hit hard. How hard remains to be seen and injury to Dutch import Sven Gjaalardt is not ideal.

Preseason wins over Cork Harlequins and Fingal before defeat to YMCA show some erratic tendencies while Mikey Maguire and Peter Blakeney will need to step up to the mark.

Plenty of youngsters are pushing for first team places with Tom Samuel one who might see a decent amount of pitch-time. A smaller panel but a shortened calendar of fixtures may well lead to an IHL-playoff place.

First three games: Railway Union (h); Clontarf (a); Fingal (a)
Prediction: 5th
IHL Prediction: Group stages

1 comment:

Queso said...

While there's no doubt Rovers will be affected by a significant change in personnel, I don't think it's enough to result in a drop from 3rd to 5th in Leinster.

3rd to 4th would be a more reasonable prediction as you also have to consider what other teams have significantly improved in the other direction.

The only other team everyone seems to agree on is Corinthian... so the Marley Derbys will be immense!!