MEN'S HOCKEY:THANKS TO intense fundraising throughout the club Three Rock Rovers will travel to Malatya in south eastern Turkey this weekend for the EuroHockey Club Champions Challenge II, taking on the national champions of Georgia, Norway, Finland, Bulgaria and the Turkish hosts, Anadolu Atesi.
A costly trip that takes the Irish champions close to the Syrian border, Rovers travel somewhat understrength, although they hope to push Ireland back up to the third tier of European indoor hockey following Pembroke’s relegation in 2011.
Internationals Phelie Maguire and Peter Blakeney will not take part, which is a huge loss to the team. The Olympic qualifying tournament in Belfield next month has ruled them out, while Michael Maguire has been recalled to Belgium by club side Royal Uccle as their winter break comes to an end. Ali Haughton and Alan Bothwell are also ruled out due to work reasons.
It means Rovers will look to stalwarts like Garry Ringwood and Peter McConnell with Ross Canning, son of former international and team coach Liam, again the key man up front. Stephen Bredin guests for the side, travelling from his new base in Qatar while Paddy O’Connor, David McCrea and Craig Moore will be making their competitive debuts.
The sides compete in a six-team pool before playing in a play-off game on Sunday afternoon to decide final placings.
Outdoors it’s a busy weekend with the Leinster Senior League spanning Saturday and Sunday. UCD travel to Rathdown on Saturday to play Monkstown and on Sunday they host Railway Union, while third placed Glenanne host league leaders Pembroke Wanderers in Saturday’s big game before travelling to Whitechurch to play Corinthians on Sunday.
Clontarf also have a double header hosting YMCA before travelling to the airport on Sunday where they meet Fingal in a bottom of the table clash.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today: EuroHockey Club Champions Challenge II (Malatya, Turkey): Three Rock Rovers v Batumi HC (Georgia), 10.30am; Three Rock Rovers v Sagene (Norway), 3pm. Saturday: EuroHockey Club Champions Challenge II (Malatya, Turkey): ABC Team (Finland) v Three Rock Rovers, 12.50pm; Anadolu Atesi SC (Turkey) v Three Rock Rovers, 4.10pm. Leinster Senior League – Division One: Monkstown v UCD, Rathdown, 1.30; Clontarf v YMCA, Mt Temple, 12.30; Corinthians v Railway Union, Whitechurch, 1.0; Glenanne v Pembroke, Glenanne Park, 12.30.
Sunday: EuroHockey Club Champions Challenge II (Malatya, Turkey): Three Rock Rovers v RHC Locomtiv 1929 (Bulgaria) 10.30. Leinster Senior League – Division One: Corinthians v Glenanne, Whitechurch, 1.0; Fingal v Clontarf, ALSAA, 1.30; UCD v Railway Union Belfield, 4.0.
