Ireland without two key players for Edinburgh

The Irish senior squad takes part in a four-nations tournament in Edinburgh over the weekend as part of the Scottish Hockey Association's centenary celebrations. Ireland play the hosts today, Spain tomorrow and European champions Holland on Sunday. It's a daunting programme for a team that hasn't played a competitive match in almost two months and it must face the challenge without two of its most experienced players, sweeper Arlene Boyles and winger Claire McMahon, both of whom are injured. Loreto forward Cathy McKean and Pegasus defender Claire Redpath have been called up as replacements.

Meanwhile in Cork this weekend the under-21 team continues its preparations for next month's European Nations' finals in Prague with games against Scotland, Wales and France at Harlequin Park.

IRISH SENIOR SQUAD: T Browne, A Copeland, J Burke, C Carey, L Brown, R Kohler, M Logue (capt), C McKean, L McVicker, K Mills, K O'Brien, C O'Kelly, J Orbinson, D Sixsmith, C Redpath, S Parkhill.

IRISH UNDER-21 SQUAD: A Platt, M L Daly, E Bromell, O Canavan, S Canning, H Cathcart, O Curtin, F Ferguson, P Magill, K Maybin, C Murray, J McDonough, J Osborne, C O'Brien (capt), L O'Neill, O Ryan, E Ryan.

CENTENARY TOURNAMENT (in Edinburgh) - Today: Scotland v Ireland, 12.0. Tomorrow: Spain v Ireland, 10.0. Sunday: Holland v Ireland, 10.0.

UNDER-21 FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT (at Harlequin Park) Today: Ireland v Scotland, 6.0. Tomorrow: Ireland v Wales, 2.0. Sunday: Ireland v France, 1.0.