THERE WAS a bus strike and said the Sardinians, "tiresome" rain in Cagliari yesterday, but it turned out to be another encouraging day for the Irish hockey brigade as they watched Poland and Italy figure in a controversial 1-1 draw in the World Cup pre qualifying tournament.
One point rather than three was particularly disappointing for the Italians, for they were denied a possible winner in the dying seconds when the Poles broke the line four times at a short corner - yet were shown only yellow cards for time wasting, instead of conceding a penalty strike. The Italians - and their coach, Englishman Carl Ward - took the outcome remarkably philosophically, but it was another blow after their traumatic defeat. by Bangladesh in their opening match.
Poland and Italy provide the opposition in Ireland's pair of pool B games next week, but more immediately, the Irish side (now the only team left with a 100 per cent record) must re emerge sharply after their two days rest to take on the US at full steam this afternoon. While there should be no complacency, the indications are that a third win can be achieved at the expense of the Americans and that Kenya - who beat a dispirited Bangladesh 5-0 yesterday - can also be overcome on Saturday. Ireland would then need no more than a point or two to ensure a place in the next phase of the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur next March.
It appears that the long weekends of training during the summer are beginning to pay dividends. Notably, short corners are becoming a strong point. In this tournament so far, leading marksman Robbie Taylor has achieved a 50 per cent strike rate from eight set pieces.
Ireland probably will start with reasonable caution this afternoon, for the US can be dangerous on the break, especially through captain Larry Amar. But the new Irish skipper, Alan Dowd, is settling with composure into the dual responsibility of leading the side and playing a pivotal role in central midfield.
Interestingly, though offside has been abolished, it still takes time to crack defences. Ireland's 4-0 lead at halftime against Bangladesh was an exception for seven of the 14 games in the first three days of this tournament were scoreless at the interval. Pool A had been particularly sterile until yesterday, when Canada and Switzerland played a 4-4 draw. No doubt, goals will start to cascade as the competition progresses.
Marius Gallagher, the president of the Irish Hockey Union, chose to speak in Irish at reception for heads of delegations in Cagliari. The Italians, though, felt a trifle embarrassed as this was a language for which they had not provided an interpreter. Meanwhile, Gallagher and IHU development chief, Dixon Rose, a technical officer here, are keeping in close contact with home to ensure that there will be a strong hockey presence at tomorrow's Olympic Council of Ireland meeting when David Balbirnie bids for the presidency of the OCI. Balbirnie is a former Irish team manager and IHU honorary secretary and now runs the European Hockey Federation in its Dublin based office.
Another Irish hockey figure, Anita Manning, is also poised for high office. The ILHU president is assured of election as a vice president of the International Hockey Federation at their congress in Brussels next month. She will join such distinguished company as HRH Sultan Azlan Shah, King of Malaysia, and Brig Mansoor H Atif, of Pakistan.
As Mary Coyle, whose parents hail from Mayo, is media officer of the FIH, Ireland is well represented on all fronts of international hockey.
