Robert Watson, a member of the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) disciplinary commission which ruled last week that Ireland must attempt to "re-qualify" for the World Cup, has admitted that the case was "by far the most difficult I ever had to consider".

However, he said the commission would "totally support the validity of our decision in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)", should Ireland decide to take their case there.

An announcement is expected from the Irish Hockey Association today on whether they intend taking the FIH to the CAS.

Watson, an English barrister, heard the case along with Sultan Azlan Shah, the former king and chief justice of Malaysia, Eduardo Guelfand, an Argentinian lawyer, and Ken Read, one of Australia's senior prosecutors. A highly qualified panel, then, but, said Watson: "It doesn't mean we were right."

"I think that all of us had genuine sympathy for Ireland and Lithuania - and, to a degree, with India . . . whichever way we came down at least two were going to be dissatisfied. So we made our decision in what we thought was (1) a way that was correct legally, (2) in the best interests of hockey and (3) an attempt to try and find as happy a medium between the three contrasting views as we could."

While several issues helped determine the commission's decision to reverse the World Cup Qualifier tournament director's order to replay the penalty strokes competition between Ireland and Lithuania, two appeared to be particularly significant.

First, that the tournament director had acted unconstitutionally by allowing "some undue influence to be brought on her" by another FIH official before reaching her decision.

"We set aside her decision, not because we disagreed with it, because it was not made under the right constitutional background. If she had used the right process and had come to that decision herself we would not have interfered," said Watson.

Secondly, the commission decided that because Ireland had won the toss and elected to go first in the competition, they were never at a disadvantage going first throughout, which was the breach of the rule that led to the dispute.

"It was difficult to say that the mistake, which undoubtedly was made, acted to their detriment," he said. (There does, though, appear to be some dispute over who did win the toss in Amiens, although the FIH insists that its information shows that Ireland won it.)

On the issue of Ireland taking the FIH to CAS, Watson admitted that he would be "terribly disappointed" if it happened.

"It will delay everything, it will cost a fortune - but I certainly would not be embarrassed presenting our decision to CAS."

Meanwhile the Irish players return to training on Saturday, a month ahead of schedule, a decision that was made to cover all "eventualities", rather than an acceptance that Ireland will travel to South Africa in February in an attempt to qualify for the World Cup.

When asked this week, 12 Irish internationals urged the IHA to go to CAS, with 10 of the 18-strong squad known to have serious difficulties getting time off work to travel to South Africa.

IRISH JUNIOR CUP - First round: Belvedere v Loreto II, Ballincollig, 2.0; Railway II v Old Alexandra II, Park Avenue, 1.45; Kinvara v Muckross, Dangan, 1.0; Banbridge v Our Lady's Terenure, Havelock Park, 1.0; Carlow v Athlone, Kilkenny College, 2.30; UCC II v Hermes II, The Mardyke, 1.15; Aer Lingus v Randalstown II, ALSAA, 1.15; Pembroke Wanderers II v Belfast Harlequins, Serpentine Avenue, 1.30; Wexford v Pegasus II, Newtown School, 12.0; Three Rock v Greenisland, Grange Road, 1.30; Kilkenny v Catholic Institute, Kilkenny College, 12.30; Church of Ireland v Enniscorthy, Garryduff, 1.0; Parkview v Saintfield, Jordanstown, 2.30; Ards II v Larne, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30. Cork Harlequins w/o Portadown II, scr; Genesis II w/o Lansdowne, scr.

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Today, Glenanne v Hermes, St Marks, 8.15. Sunday, Pembroke Wanderers v Genesis, 1.30.

ULSTER SHIELD - Second round: Portadown v Civil Service, Edenvilla, 2.30; Queens v Ballymena, Queens, 2.30; Knock v Ballyclare, Queens, 2.30.

ULSTER LEAGUE - Section Two: Coleraine v UUJ, UUC, 2.30.