Kuper fine tunes her squad for Europeans

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: With just three weeks to go to the European Championships in Dublin the Irish women's team is reaching the fine-tuning stage of its preparations, competing this weekend in the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh where Scotland, Wales and France, Ireland's opponents in their opening match of the Europeans on August 14th, complete the line-up.

For a number of players the weekend is the final opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the European squad, with coach Riet Kuper resting captain Lynsey McVicker, goalkeeper Angela Platt, Jenny Burke and Eimear Cregan, all assured of selection.

Replacing the quartet are Loreto goalkeeper Louisa Healy and Armagh's Hannah Bowe, both uncapped, with Suzanne Beaney and Jill Orbinson recalled after missing the trip to Bremen earlier this month. Orbinson returns after injuring her elbow at the KT Cup in Korea.

By the time she goes about selecting her 18-player squad, due to be announced next Thursday, Kuper will have used 24 players in the build-up. She is likely to stick with the bulk of the 15 players still in the panel who played in last year's Olympic Qualifier, with Caitriona Carey and goalkeeper Mary Goode probable additions, but that will still leave a couple of spots up for grabs. This weekend, then, could be crucial for those on the edge of selection.

Ireland are ranked above Scotland, Wales and France in the world list, which should make them favourites to win the event, but Scotland, who Ireland beat 1-0 in Bremen, have named their strongest squad for the tournament, one that includes Rhona Simpson (155 caps) who has come out of international retirement.

Meanwhile, the Irish Hockey Association has announced another sponsorship deal, this time Tesco being named as the "silver sponsor" for the European Championships. This news follows the announcement the ESB will be the sponsor of women's hockey in Ireland over the next three years while next Thursday the team's new kit, sponsored and provided by Canterbury Europe, will be unveiled at Belfield.

IRELAND: H Bowe, E Stewart (both Armagh), B McKeever (Ballymoney), S Beaney, J McDonough (both Belfast Harlequins), D Casey (Church of Ireland), C Parkhill (Randalstown), F Connery, L Caulfield (capt), C Carey (all Hermes), L Healy, C McKean, N Symmons (all Loreto), J Orbinson, K Maybin (both Pegasus), M Goode (Pembroke Wanderers), C O'Brien (Railway Union), K Farrell (Waterford).

CELTIC CUP (at Edinburgh) - Today: Ireland v Wales, 12.0. Tomorrow: Ireland v France, 10.0. Sunday: Ireland v Scotland, 2.0.