Justin Sherriff, Ireland's centre forward, may be given limited time to score against Denmark in the European under-21 hockey championship (B division) in Padova this morning.
One reason for confining him to the bench for most of this final group game would be a sympathetic approach in not chalking up a cricket score against the novice Danish side.
It would also be wise for Sherriff to reserve maximum touch for the key matches at the weekend, starting with the semi-final on Saturday, which is now likely to be a torrid test against Italy.
In the other pool B game today Wales - after their unexpected defeat of Ireland (4-3) are unlikely to slip up against the Czech Republic. Wales will probably meet France in the semi-final.
European Under-21 Championship: Pool A - Italy 3, France 2; Portugal 3 Gibraltar 2. Standings: 1, Italy 6 pts (6-2); 2, France 3 pts (8-4); 3, Portugal 3 pts (4-8); 4 Gibraltar 0 (2-6). TODAY: Pool B - Ireland v Denmark (9 a.m.); Wales v Czech Republic. Pool A - France v Gibraltar; Italy v Portugal.
