News for 30 March 2017
All the news for Thursday 30 March 2017
Quarterfinals Preview – Top Ranked Teams Still Favourites
Damian Gordon
FIH World League R2, Tacarigua - Chile vs. Canada (Photo: J-M Productions)
Canada and Japan have lived up to their top team ranking each comfortably winning Pool A and B respectively. Russia has been made to work for their 2nd place in Pool B finish and Chile has struggled to look like the 4th best team in the tournament. After a slow start, USA have strung together some strong performances to boost their quarterfinal credentials. Switzerland were upset by the host nation, who have used the home support to play above their world ranking. Barbados have fought hard, but seem short in the experience and quality necessary upset the pre-tournament positions.
Canada has dominated in their quietly efficient way scoring a tournament high 16 goals. They have blended their steady efficiency with the skill and speed of Gabriel HO-GARCIA and Keegan PEREIRA to demonstrate why they are the highest ranked team in the tournament. Switzerland have had a tough tournament, losing all three of their matches. They have been well organised and skilful, but seem to lack the incisive attacking threat to upset the Canadians. Advantage Canada.
The Russians were able to stretch the lightning quick Japanese with a combination of disciplined defending and aggressive attacking. They might be the most tactical adaptive team in the tournament as they made noticeably positive adjustments against each of their three Pool B opponents. While Chile have struggled to impose themselves on the tournament, they have also proven difficult to break down. The Chileans have yet to concede a first half goal and may yet be able to get past the Russians if they can put together a stronger second half. Advantage Russia.
After the host nation, Japan have captured the hearts of the fans with their speed, skill and a paradox of humble flair. #9 Kenta TANAKA, in particular, is a crowd favourite with his tournament leading 6 goals. Their defence has been tough also, allowing a tournament low 2 goals. It seems a big ask for Barbados to do anything other than damage control, while gaining experience for the remaining tournament matches. GK and captain Andre BOYCE has made many good saves in the tournament, it is likely that he will be very busy today. Advantage Japan.
The Americans only seemed to find their feet in the tournament from the 4th quarter of their opening match against Canada. From that point on, they have looked steadily stronger with Pat HARRIS and Will HOLT providing an attacking threat, while captain Ajai DHADWAL and Mohan GANDHI have spearheaded a total team defensive effort. USA must favour their chances to improve on their 5th place tournament rank. First they have to get past a determined host nation and PAHF rival. T&T have already upset the tournament rankings by defeating the Swiss in Pool play and they look hungry to repeat the feat. Kwan BROWNE has expectedly been one of their outstanding players, but Mickell PIERRE and captain Darren COWIE have also stepped up to lead a team with 3 debutants into competitive performances against higher ranked opponents. They will be going all out to make it to the semi-finals of the tournament. Advantage USA.
The Round 2, Tacarigua tournament ranking of the teams (world ranking in brackets) is 1. Canada (11), 2. Japan (14), 3. Russia (22), 4. Chile (26), 5. USA (29), 6. Switzerland (30), 7. hosts Trinidad & Tobago (33) and 8. Barbados (49).
Pan American Hockey Federaion media release
Red Caribous and Samurais top pools in Tacarigua
Quarter-final line-up confirmed at Men’s Hockey World League Round 2 competition in Trinidad & Tobago
Canada and Japan have continued their excellent form at the Men’s Hockey World League Round 2 competition in Tacarigua, Trinidad & Tobago, finishing the pool phase with maximum points to go into the quarter-finals in confident mood.
Canada’s Red Caribous (FIH Hero World Ranking: 11) topped Pool A with three wins from three matches, with a comprehensive 10-0 over Barbados (WR: 49) on Tuesday bringing matters to a close. Gabriel Ho-Garcia and Gordon Johnston both scored hat-tricks in the contest for a Canadian team that will now face a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland (WR: 30), who finished fourth in Pool B.
USA (WR: 29) took second place in Pool A thanks to a shoot-out victory over Chile (WR: 26), with the bonus point earned enough to edge their opponents in the standings. Vicente Martin and Juan Amoroso established a 2-0 lead for the Chileans, but quick-fire goals either side of the third quarter break from Paul Singh and William Holt levelled the match at 2-2 to force a shoot-out, with USA winning 2-0 claiming the bonus point thanks to goals from Singh and Ajai Dhadwal as well as a clean sheet from goalkeeper Brandon Karess.
USA will now face a quarter-final clash against host-nation Trinidad & Tobago (WR: 33), who finished third in Pool B after losing their third match of the competition to an increasingly impressive Japan (WR: 16). Strikes from Kentato Fukada (2) and a sixth goal of the tournament for Kenta Tanaka gave the Samurais a 3-0 lead ahead of half time, with Tariq Marcano reducing the deficit early in the fourth quarter. However, a penalty stroke from Shota Yamada and an open play effort from Kaito Tanaka completed the scoring at 5-1 and confirm Japan’s place at the top of the standings. Japan face a quarter-final match against Barbados, the team that finished fourth in Pool A.
Russia (WR: 22) finished second in Pool B with a comfortable 4-1 win over Switzerland to set up a quarter-final face-off against Chile. The Russians did most of the damage in a seven minute period either side of half time, with Nikolay Yankun giving his team the lead ahead of the break before penalty corner efforts from Denis Shchipachev and Semen Matkovskiy took the score to 3-0. Jan Hödle pulled one back for the Swiss in the 44th minute, but the three-goal cushion was reestablished a minute later thanks to a second from Yankun, completing the match scoring.
The quarter-finals will take place on Thursday 30th March, with Canada playing Switzerland at 1315 (Local time UTC/GMT -4) before Russia take on Chile at 1530. Japan face Barbados at 1745 ahead of the USA versus Trinidad & Tobago fixture at 2000.
Like all the Round 2 events, the competition in Tacarigua – which is located around 20 kilometers inland from capital city Port of Spain – consists of teams that came through the first phase of the competition and nations that were automatically given a bye through to Round 2 due to their higher placement in the FIH Hero World Rankings. The highest ranked teams will enter the World League at the Semi-Final stage of the Hockey World League which will take place in this summer.
The top two finishers from the men’s Round 2 events in Dhaka (4-12 Mar 2017), Belfast (11-19 Mar 2017) and Tacarigua, (25 Mar-2 Apr 2017) are certain to qualify for the Hockey World League Semi-Finals, being joined in the World Cup qualifier phase by the two highest ranked of the third placed finishers from those three events. Malaysia and China took the top two places at the event in Dhaka, with Egypt (FIH Hero World Ranking: 20) finishing in third place. In Belfast, Ireland claimed a first place finish ahead of France, with Scotland (WR: 27) taking third position.
You can keep track of the tournament in Tacarigua on the official competition pages by clicking here and on FIH’s social media channels using the #HWL2017 hashtag.
FIH site
Canada and Japan maintain perfect records in Tacarigua
FIH World League R2 - Tacarigua - Day 3
Damian Gordon
FIH World League R2, Tacarigua - Canada vs. Barbados (Photo: J-M Productions)
Pool B – Switzerland vs. Russia
Switzerland came out looking to overturn a negative goal difference to lift themselves off the bottom of the table. They controlled the early tempo of the game and forced a couple early penalty corners. The Russian defence held firm and eventually their offence started to assert themselves, taking the with a FG. Russia took control of the third quarter scoring three PC goals with one Swiss FG giving them hope. There were no other goals in the 4th quarter giving Russia the win and 2nd place in Pool B pending the Japan vs. Trinidad & Tobago match. Final score 4-1 Russia.
Pool A – USA vs. Chile
USA took early control of the match pushing Chile into their defensive third of the field. The defending was good and kept the Americans scoreless going into the 3rd quarter, while sneaking in a goal with their first PC. Early in the 3rd quarter the Chileans doubled their lead from another PC and were set to take a 2-0 lead into the 4th quarter when a FG just before the break brought them back into the game. An early 4th quarter PC goal from the Americans levelled the game and they pushed hard for a winner, but the Chileans held firm for a 2-2 score at full time. From the shootout the USA scored 2 out of 3 attempts while the Chileans missed all 4 of theirs to give the Americans the win and second place in Pool A. Final shootout score 2-0 USA (2-2 FT).
Pool A – Canada vs. Barbados
Canada took control of the match early on taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening 5 minutes. They kept their pressure up opening a 4-0 lead by the end of the 1st quarter and 6-0 by halftime. Barbados fought hard, but were unable to threaten the Canadian goal, while conceding 3 more goals for a 9-0 deficit by the end of the 3rd quarter. Canada continued their dominance into the 4th quarter, but managed only one more goal against a Barbados team that kept working hard until the final buzzer. Canada topped Pool A with the win. Final score 10-0 Canada.
Pool B – Japan vs. Trinidad & Tobago
The burning question for many of the fans in the stands: how many goals would Kenta Tanaka add to his tournament leading tally of five. His team got off to a good start, taking advantage of an unusually slow TTO to take a 1-0 after quarter 1. During the 2nd quarter JPN added two more against an improved TTO team, Kenta getting one of them. TTO finally got some tempo into their game but there were no goals in the 3rd quarter. TTO continued to push the Japanese back in the 4th and scored a goal against the team with the best defensive record in the tournament so far. JPN kept their cool, adding 2 more to secure the win and first place in Pool B. Final score 5-1 Japan.
The results have set up the quarterfinal match ups as follows with Canada vs. Switzerland, Russia vs. Chile, Japan vs. Barbados and USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago.
Pan American Hockey Federaion media release
T&T stickmen face USA in bid for semis berth
...humbled in 5-1 loss to Japan
By Mark Pouchet
Head coach of the men’s senior hockey team Glen “Fido” Francis is appealing for local fans to come out strongly for Team TTO today when they tackle the USA in the quarter-finals of the FIH Men’s World League Hockey Round 2 tournament that continues at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua.
The No. 33-ranked Team TTO will face off against the No. 29-ranked Americans from 8pm., the last of the four quarter-finals and will be seeking a place in the top semi-final draw.
“The approach is to be basically mentally strong, we know it is going to be a tough game,” Francis said. “Games between us and the USA are always tight, so we need to be very clinical. We will get chances and we need to put them away and need to work a little harder than the USA. We know they are going to come out and work very hard and we are just asking for the crowd support to give us that extra push and I think everything will work out well.”
T&T concluded their pool B campaign with a loss against the Pool’s top-seed Japan, a 5-1 defeat at the sticks of the Asians, who ranks No. 16 in the world.
Tactically, Francis said Team TTO matched the Japan outfit, but “they had one or two class players that made the difference in the game, while our guys were a little bit intimidated the first part of the game.”
Two Japanese class players were certainly the deft, quick and marauding pair of Kentaro Fukuda, who notched two items Tuesday, and Kenta Tanaka-- the tournament’s leading goalscorer with six-- also netted one that sent the Japan team up 3-0 into the halt-time period.
Team TTO’s Tariq Marcano scored his squad’s only goal in the last quarter after some sustained attacks and a series of penalty corners. But Shota Yamada (52nd) and Kaito Tanaka (58th) completed a strong Japan finish.
“All in all I think it was a good game for us,” Francis said, “the guy are still level-headed and we achieved our two main objectives in terms of not finishing last in the group and not having to face Canada in the crossover quarter-final.”
But Francis said team TTO will now strip fitter and sharper for the USA after their tough Pool B encounters with Russia and Japan.
“We will come out better... We learned a lot from them (Japan and Russia) and we have a lot of young guys who played these quality teams for the first time, so that experience and that physicality definitely was an issue for them.
“Now they understand how much harder they have to work to get the ball, how much more effort they need to put in. So they are encouraged and looking forward to the quarter-final which is the game we need to put everything into and hopefully we advance to the semis,” Francis concluded.
Only the top two teams at the end of the tournament Sunday will qualify for the semi-final stage of the World League. The third-placed team will only progress if they are ranked higher than Scotland (27th). Only Canada, Japan, Russia and Chile fulfil this criteria.
T&T squad: From: 4.Aidan de Gannes, 6. Marcus Pascal, 7.Kwandwane Browne, 8.Stefan Mouttet, 12.Daniel Byer, 13.Keiron Emmanuel, 14.Darren Cowie (captain), 17.Marcus James, 18.Mickell Pierre, 19.Shaquille Daniel, 20.Jordan Reynos, 21.Tariq Marcano, 22.Kristien Emmanuel, 23.Andrey Rocke (goalkeeper), 25.Kwasi Emmanuel (goalkeeper), 26.Jordan Vieira, 29.Dylan Francis, 31.Teague Marcano.
USA squad: From: 3.Michael Barminski, 4.Tyler Sundeen, 6.Alexander Grassi 7.Ruben van Dam, 8.Nick Molcsan, 9.Adam Miller, 11.William Holt, 12.Ajai Dhadwal (captain), 13.Amardeep Khokar, 14.Tom Barrat, 18.Paul Singh, 19.Andy Zayac (goalkeeper), 20Sean Cicchi, 22.Jonathan Orozco, 23.Aki Kaepeller, 26.Mohan Gandhi, 29.Brandon Karess (goalkeeper)
Today’s matches
Canada vs Switzerland, 1:15 p.m.
Russia vs Chile, 3.30 p.m.
Japan vs Barbados, 5:45 p.m.
USA vs T&T, 8 p.m.
Tuesday’s results
Japan 5 (Kentaro Fukuda 6th, 21st, Kenta Tanaka 30th, Shota Yamada 52nd, Kaito Tanaka 58th) T&T 1 (Tariq Marcano 49th)
Trinidad & Tobago Express
Kookaburras win game 2 of International Hockey Open
Defeat Pakistan 3 - 0
Holly MacNeil
There was some spectacular hockey on display tonight at the Darwin International Hockey Open, with the fast-paced game giving both sides ample opportunity to score; however, it was the Kookaburras who came away with their second win of the series defeating Pakistan 3 – 0.
After a couple of missed opportunities early in the first quarter, the Kookaburras were in with an early lead thanks to a scrabble in the Australian circle resulting in a field goal for Tom Wickham.
Pakistan had an opportunity on a penalty corner early into the second quarter, before Australia’s Flynn Ogilvie and Kiran Arunasalam made a late break for goal which narrowly missed the post.
With only a minute to go before half time the Kookaburras went for it; a penalty corner narrowly missing the mark, before Trent Mitton added to the goal tally with a strike that sailed straight past Pakistan goalkeeper Amjad Ali.
Three minutes into the second half and the Kookaburras were at it again, Aaron Kleinschmidt scoring a field goal from a reverse flick, extending the Australian’s lead to 3 – 0.
Both teams continued to press going into the final quarter, but as the final buzzer sounded the score remained at 3 – 0 in Australia’s favour.
Kookaburras head coach Colin Batch said: “It was a tournament match tonight, with very tight conditions. We had to make play from a team that was camped in the back 35 so it really good practice for us going forward.
“To come away with a 3 – nil win when it wasn’t our best game and we made a lot of mistakes was fantastic. It was pleasing that there were also some good passages, and more importantly that we can learn a lot from that performance.”
The Kookaburras next take on Pakistan on Friday evening at 7pm ACST at the Marrara Hockey Stadium, with tickets available through www.Ntix.com.au
KOOKABURRAS 3 (2)
Tom Wickham 15 (FG)
Trent Mitton 30 (FG)
Aaron Kleinschmidt 33 (FG)
PAKISTAN 0 (0)
Kookaburras squad v Pakistan
Josh Beltz (Hobart, TAS) 17/2
Tristan Clemons (Bunbury, WA) 32/0
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) 26/9
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Valley, NSW) 64/9
Jeremy Edwards (Hobart, TAS) 10/1
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 71/25
Aaron Kleinschmidt (Melbourne, VIC) 11/3
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW) 45/12
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 116/48
Tom Wickham (Adelaide, SA) 4/2
Matthew Willis (Tamworth, NSW) 17/2
Used Substitutes
Kiran Arunasalam (Doncaster East, VIC) 2/0
Ben Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) 10/2
Casey Hammond (Bundoora, VIC) 10/0
Mark Knowles (Rockhampton, QLD) 293/24
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA) 77/0
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 104/42
Josh Pollard (Melbourne, VIC) 11/0
Hockey Australia media release
Australia down Pakistan 3-0 in 2nd Hockey Test
Pakistan gave an improved performance in the 2nd match of the 4-test series against Australia, the world's no 1 team, at the Marrara hockey stadium in Darwin.
The hosts, who had won 6-1 in the opening test, today defeated Pakistan 3-0.
It was a fast paced game and both the sides had several chances off open play as well as penalty corners. However, the hosts had the better of the exchanges most of the time. All the three Aussie goals came through field attempts.
In the first test, Pakistan had seemingly lost the script completely in the final phase and conceded four goals in the last 16 minutes. Today, they fought well till the end. Kookaburras, who had gone ahead by three goals in the 33rd minute, couldn't add to their tally in the remaining time.
Scorers: Tom Wickham (15), Trent Mitton (30), Aaron Kleinshmidt (33)
3rd Test is scheduled on Friday
PHF Media release
Pakistan hockey team beaten in second match also
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hockey team were beaten 3-0 by Australia in the second match at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Wednesday. World number one Australia, who outplayed Pakistan 6-1 in the opener, now lead the four-match series 2-0, said a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
Somehow the green shirts, who were outclassed in all departments of the game in the opening tie, put up an improved show losing the match by a narrow margin. It was a fast paced game and both the sides had several chances off open play as well as penalty corners. However, the hosts had the better of the exchanges most of the time.
All the three Australia goals came through field attempts in the first half. In the first match, Pakistan had seemingly lost the script completely in the final phase and conceded four goals in the last 16 minutes. In the second tie, they fought well till the end. Kookaburras, who had gone ahead by three goals in the 33rd minute, couldn’t add to their tally in the remaining time. The third match will be played on March 31 (Friday).
Scorers:Tom Wickham (15th minute), Trent Mitton (30th minute), Aaron Kleinshmidt (33rd minute).
The Daily Times
Contrasting paths, same result: Lee and Faiczak both living the dream representing Canada
Shaheed Devji 
Alison Lee competes for Canada in a pre-tournament match against India on March 26, 2017 in West Vancouver (By Blair Shier)
Alison Lee and Jordyn Faiczak have taken very different paths to their first senior international competition, but the end result is the same. Both get to put on the Canadian uniform for the first time as a part of Canada’s Women’s World League 2 team.
“It’s been a dream of mine always, so I’m glad that it’s happening,” says Lee, a 22 year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario.
For Lee, it’s finally happening after a full playing career with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, and a stint with the Indoor Women’s National Team and an Indoor World Cup under her belt.
For Faiczak, who was only named to the Junior Development Squad in 2016, it’s all happening really quickly.
“I made the JDS list, and went to my first camp last August,” says the 17 year-old Waterloo, Ontario native. “And since then it’s kind of just been a whirlwind of new experiences and new opportunities so I’m really excited about that.”
While technically Lee and Faiczak both already made their senior international outdoor debuts with Canada in last week’s World League 2 prep series, this weekend’s 2017 Gryphon Hockey World League Round 2 event in West Vancouver is the main event.
And it’s even more special for Lee, considering she began to have doubts of whether the opportunity would ever come after some bad timing and a string of bad luck.
After being named to the Canadian outdoor squad in 2014, Lee played in the 2014 Indoor World Cup, which put her behind the pack as she was not able to train with the outdoor team.
Then, last year, she suffered a severe injury which again stunted her outdoor career.
“Since I was really injured, thoughts crept through my mind like I would have to crack back into the team,” she says. “But I think I just pushed through because I always wanted to play for Canada, it’s always been a dream.”
Perseverance was undoubtedly key number one for Lee, but key number two was timing.
As she was finished school, Lee decided to make the move out West to Vancouver to join the Women’s National Program and train full-time.
“I think it’s a combination of being healthy and being able to commit full-time to the program was a really good thing for be able to do to work my way back into the squad,” she explains.
“I’ve been in and out a lot – being around here and making those real connections to girls has been a benefit.”
Jordyn Faiczak for Women's National Team, Canada vs India, March 26, 2017 - 3-1 win. West Vancouver, BC. Pre-WL2 Test Series. By Blair Shier
Connections and timing is also what landed Faiczak where she is today, on the cusp in playing in her first international competition for Canada, and in one of the most important for Canada in recent years.
But it has all happened much quicker than even she could have hoped.
In 2015, Faiczak made the drive from Waterloo to Toronto to watch Canada’s women play the Pan American Games
“Seeing them play, and hearing some of their stories at the camp and having them as mentors is really kind of inspiring,” she says.
That was the connection. As for the timing, Faiczak took a tried and tested route to being noticed.
“I made the Ontario provincial team and then kind of kept to making provincial teams and then working at the National Championships to get spotted for the Junior Development Squad,” she says.”
Which is exactly what happened in 2016, when the stars lined up.
She then played in her first junior tournament early in the year at the Junior Pan American Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, went to Canada’s development camp in August, and a year later, as Canada began another quadrennial, she was selected for a senior training tour to Australia.
And she must have made her mark, because in the team’s first competition of the year – one with World Cup implications – Faiczak is front and centre.
“It does feel surreal,” she says. “It’s kind of just a dream come true and it’s all happened so fast that sometimes you have to take a step back and you just have to focus and do what you do, and not think to much about what’s happening.”
Field Hockey Canada media release
Saint Germain’s dozen secures French top spot
Picture: Anne Laure Happe
Saint Germain confirmed they are the champions of the French regular season as they produced an emphatic 12-1 win over Stade Francais to move six points clear of rivals Racing Club de France.
The two clubs will meet next weekend in the final round of matches before advancing to the Top 4 with two of either CA Montrouge, FC Lyon and Lille.
For St Ger, they were rarely in trouble as Hugo Genestet’s backhand strike gave them an early lead. He would got on to score a hat-trick with a goal from a corner and one from a stroke.
Blaise Rogeau made it 2-0 at quarter-time before Frederic Verrier and Hugo’s second made it 4-0 by the half. Kevin Mercurio and Martin Genestet stretched the lead to six before Stade got one back.
But further goals from Thomas Pauchet, Rogeau, Tom, Hugo and Martin Genestet and a late corner from William Jeammot completed the dozen.
Racing were hoping they could take the league battle down to the last weekend but were caught by a late equaliser at FC Lyon after Nicolas Martin-Brisac and Jean-Laurent Kieffer had given them a 2-1 lead.
Euro Hockey League media release
Irish Senior Cup Finals This Sunday
The women’s Senior Cup will be engraved with a new name for the first time since 2014 as Ulster Elks’ bid for a three-in-a-row was quickly halted by Railway Union back in October. UCD are a familiar name on the trophy having most recently lifted it in 2014 and 2012, while for Cork Harlequins it has been a significantly longer wait since their title in 2000. But the sides look evenly matched with a plethora of Irish internationals taking to the pitch this weekend; potentially 10 members of the current Irish squad lining out.
UCD haven’t struggled for goals this season and sit top of the EY Hockey League, 11 points ahead of Harlequins, with Gillian Pinder and Katie Mullan frequently pulling the strings for the young side. The return of Deirdre Duke in recent weeks from a shoulder injury is a big boost to the team as well and Coach Miles Warren believes “our pace, quality in possession and absolute determination to never give up, no matter what the scoreline, will carry us through”, but is taking nothing for granted given the close nature of the last fixture between the two sides “That was a real high quality exhibition of attacking by both teams so we know they will pose a big threat to our goal”.
But the experience of Rachael Kohler and Karen Bateman could prove invaluable to the Munster side who will also be looking to Emma Buckley to have a big game in goal, something the former Irish Under 18 captain is more than capable of. Likewise, the drag-flicking ability of Roisin Upton, as displayed frequently at World League 2 in Malaysia in an Irish jersey, will be an important factor if Harlequins are going to land their first Senior Cup title in 17 years. Cork Harelquins manager Robert O’Sullivan added “We're very excited to be back in a national final after so long but we are under no illusions as to how difficult Sunday's game will be with the talent available to UCD. Our two encounters this season have gone down to the wire and we expect Sunday to be no different”.
Monkstown will defend their Men’s Irish Senior Cup title this Sunday in Belfield (3:15pm) against Banbridge, title holders in 2015, in what should be a hotly contested fixture. Banbridge sit 2nd in the EY Hockey League, 1 point behind leaders Three Rock and have a game in hand. Their resolute defence and virtually unbeatable Gareth Lennox in goal means they have the lowest goals against record in the league and have only conceded 1 goal in their senior cup run this year. Banbridge have a who’s who of Irish internationals with Ireland’ second most capped player Eugene Magee an important talisman for them, while Johnny McKee recently won Best Young Player at World League 2 in Belfast.
However, Banbridge Coach Mark Tumilty is conscious of the task at hand “I expect it to be a very tough game. Monkstown have a fantastic record in recent years in Irish competitions. My own squad has performed very well this season to date so confidence should be high going into the game”.
Monkstown are welcoming back their own world class goalkeeper in the form of David Fitzgerald but will be without key players Gareth Watkins and Richard Sykes. The side don’t have any problems getting the scoreboard ticking as they currently have the most ‘goals for’, alongside Lisnagarvey, in the EY Hockey League. They can boast Olympian Kyle Good in their arsenal alongside their ever-reliable captain Stephen Cole, with Lee Cole stepping back into the squad upon returning from international success at World League 2 with Ireland.
Monkstown Coach Michael Styles is acutely aware of the threat Banbridge pose “Every game between our two teams has been very tight and gone right to the wire so I am looking forward to this Sunday. Looking back at this season, Banbridge have been the top team in the league and have excelled in Europe. Both our league games against them have had very different results – from a 3:3 draw in Havelock Park, where I feel we very slightly shaded the better of the game, to the 5:1 loss at home in the Merrion Fleet Arena where Banbridge were clinical and punished us for every mistake we made. We know how good they can be, but if we perform then we can be extremely dangerous. I think it has all the elements for a cracking game”.
Womens Irish Senior Cup Final: Cork Harlequins vs UCD at 1pm in Belfield 2/4/17
Mens Irish Senior Cup Final: Banbridge vs Monkstown at 3:15pm in Belfield 2/4/17
Irish Hockey Association media release
New comer 19 year old Amy Costello highlight credentials
By Mike Haymonds
AMY COSTELLO is one of the new members of the Great Britain centralised training squad, beginning its build-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She increased her credentials on the last league weekend by scoring one of University of Birmingham's goals in a 2-1 win over Canterbury which clinched the Students' fourth place in next month's Investec Championship play-offs.
Costello, a 19-year old Scottish defender, was not in the squad which toured South Africa two weeks ago but played in a recent three-match series of GB training games with Ireland at Bisham Abbey where the hosts won 5-3 - in which she scored - and 5-4 before a 1-1 draw.
On the league's final day four teams were contesting the last two play-off slots and East Grinstead finished third while Leicester and Clifton Robinsons missed out
In the play-off semi-finals league winners Surbiton meet the Birmingham Students while Holcombe face East Grinstead.
The Final Four for the men's competition were decided before the last round of league games and the semi-final pairings are league winners Wimbledon against Hampstead & Westminster and Holcombe vs Surbiton.
Fieldhockey.com
Boys Schools finalists confirmed
Repton U18 2016
The semi final line-up of the Boys U18 Schools Cup and Plate competitions are now known. The ties will be played at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Wednesday 26th April with the finals the following day. Repton, who have held the Trophy for the last two seasons take on Kingston Grammar and Whitgift, who won the title in 2014, meet Queens Taunton.
Boys’ U18 Schools Cup Semi-final
Kingston Grammar v Repton
Whitgift v Queens Taunton
Boys' U18 Schools Cup Quarter Finals Results
Repton 5-1 Dean Close
Norwich 2-3 Queens Taunton
Simon Langton 2-3 Kingston Grammar
Oakham 3-6 Whitgift
The U18 Schools Plate has also reached the same stage with four teams having made it through to the semis at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Boys’ U18 Schools Plate Semi-finals
Merchant Taylors/Bancrofts v RGS Guildford
Millfield v Kings Chester
Boys' U18 Plate Quarter Finals Results
Millfield 5-2 Sherborne
King Edward VI Southampton 0-4 RGS Guildford
Merchant Taylors Middlesex – Bancroft tbc
Kings Chester 5-2 Trent
The Boys U18 competitions join the final stages of the U14 and U16 championships at Lee Valley, 25-27 April. These competitions see qualifiers from Regions playing in two pools of four with the top teams in each pool playing in the final. The U14 tournament is on Tuesday 25th April and the U16s on Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th April.
Qualifiers are as follows. The five regional winners are joined by the runners up from last year’s winning region and the two winners from playoffs between the other four Regional runners-up.
Boys U14
POOL A
South 1 - Cranleigh
West 1 - Dean Close
East 1 - Greshams
Midlands/North Qualifier - Repton
POOL B
South 2 - Whitgift
Midlands 1 - Ratcliffe
North 1 - QEGS Wakefield
East/West Qualifier - Felsted
Boys U16
POOL C
Midlands 1 - Repton
East 1 - Bedford
North 1 - Altrincham Grammar
South/West Qualifier - Reeds
POOL D
Midlands 2 - Trent
South 1 - Whitgift
West 1 - Dean Close
East/North Qualifier - Felsted
England Hockey Board Media release
U.S. Men's and Women's Masters Committees Reveal New U.S. Masters Website
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Since its inception in 2012, Masters field hockey in the United States has quickly grown. From that first year when a U.S. O-45 Men's Masters Team was entered in the inaugural FIH Masters Hockey World Cup, participation and interest has heightened so rapidly that USA Field Hockey is now looking to enter at least three men’s and three women’s teams in the 4th FIH Masters Hockey World Cup to be held from July 27 to August 5, 2018, in Terrassa, Spain.
There is also interest in entering a U.S. O-60 Men’s Masters Team in the Grand Masters World Cup to be held June 20 to June 30, 2018, in Barcelona, Spain.
To promote further growth and reach a greater audience, U.S. Men’s and Women’s Masters Committees have created a website to showcase their accomplishments and highlight playing opportunities, both domestically and internationally. Although this website is still being developed and continually updated, the committees believe they are ready to share. It can be found by clicking here.
USFHA media release