Hockey: Generally the International Hockey Federation (IHA) come up trumps with their tinkering with the game's rules, and over the past 10 years they have made the game a better spectacle and certainly easier to understand. The recent additions would seem to continue that trend, and, at the risk of taking you on a sleepy trip to Yawnsville, a few are worth mentioning. Also, they will be coming our way shortly.
The 14 points of interest, all posted on the Irish Hockey Association website, have a number of attractive changes, all of which will be implemented from November 1st.
Point six in the document now allows for a ball to be intentionally raised into the circle. The original rule has been deleted and changed to "wherever it lands, any ball must not be dangerous". In other words, a ball can be played into the circle off the ground once it is not dangerous. That appears to be sensible, and if the interpretation is correct the ludicrous situation of great goals being disallowed because the ball was raised a few inches when played into the circle will disappear.
Taking penalty strokes has also been simplified, with the former limitation of taking only one step into the ball deleted. The penalty will also be taken when the umpire blows his whistle and he will no longer ask both goalkeeper and striker if they are ready. At international level lack of a common language has caused problems with the old format.
The bully has also been simplified. The old "one, two, three crunch" has been changed to "one, crunch". Sure, the bully tradition has gone, but the fingers are more likely to remain.
Obstruction, too, has been simplified to the principle that players must not obstruct an opponent attempting to play the ball. Players obstruct if they "back into an opponent, physically interfere with stick or body of an opponent or shield the ball from a legitimate tackle with their stick or part of their body". Pretty simple. But when are they going to enlarge the circle?
On the domestic front, last year's top-four sides meet in the Stephen Doyle Trophy. The semi-finals take place in Serpentine Avenue tomorrow with Three Rock Rovers facing Pembroke and Glenanne playing Corinthians.
Pembroke appear to be the form side at the moment with Justin Sherriff showing indomitable spirit. Already he has seven goals, four coming in one game alone. How Rovers hope to tether the Irish striker will be a fascinating aside to the match.
WeekendFixtures
Saturday
Stephen Doyle Trophy (semi-finals): Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke, noon; Glenanne v Corinthians, 3.30 pm, both Serpentine Avenue.
Wright Carey Trophy (semi-finals): Railway Union v Monkstown, 10.30 am; Pembroke II v Kilkenny, 5 pm, both Serpentine Avenue.
Men's Munster Senior League - Division One: Church of Ireland B v Bandon A, Garryduff , 2.30 pm; Cork Harlequins A v Catholic Inst, Harlequins, 1.30 pm.
Monday
Pearl Cup: Church of Ireland A v Cork Harlequins B, Garryduff, 2.30 pm; Belvedere A v Church of Ireland B, Ballincollig, tba.
Flynn Cup: Galway A v Catholic Institute A, Mervue 1 pm.
Miller Cup: Galway B v Catholic Institute B Mervue, 2.30 pm.
