Suspension rules Butler out of cup tie

Men's Hockey News: Glenanne's Stephen Butler was handed a one-match suspension by the Irish Hockey Association after receiving a red card in his club's last Irish Cup game against Cookstown.

Butler's frustration got the better of him when play was allowed to continue after a goal had been scored, even though players from both sides were still clearly in each other's half and offside.

Butler received the red card when he shouted at the umpire for the oversight.

The suspension means Ireland's top goalscorer will miss Saturday's Irish Senior Cup semi-final against Cork Harlequins.

It is Glenanne's intention to appeal the suspension in order to have him available for what will be their biggest match of the season against the title holders.

Meanwhile, Ireland coach Dave Passmore announced his men's senior squad to travel to the Netherlands next month.

The team will spend three days at a training camp and will also play one test match against the Netherlands on March 20th in Pinoke Hockey Club (7.30).

Passmore will use both the camp and match to evaluate individual performances as he plans towards the European Championships in August and the Olympic Qualifiers early next year.

"This match will be a tough task for us, particularly during the club season. Holland have strength in depth and we will need to match their pace and intensity to compete. It will be an ideal opportunity to assess players," he said.

The Dutch side are ranked number four in the world.

Passmore, who has selected 18 for the training camp, will only be able to use 16 for the actual game, and has had to leave midfielder John Jermyn behind due to college exams.

They will leave for the Netherlands on March 18th, returning on the 21st.

IRISH SQUAD: A Barbour (Cookstown), J Black (Cork Harlequins), M Black (Cork Harlequins), P Brown (capt, Instonians), K Burns (Cork C of I), S Butler (Glenanne), T Cockram (Loughborough Students), M Gleghorne (Loughborough Students), R Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers), D Harte (GK) (Pembroke Wanderers), D Hobbs (Cork C of I), M Irwin (Instonians), I Lewers (Annadale), E Magee (Banbridge), P Maguire (HGC), G McCabe (Banbridge), M Ruddle (GK) (Cork C of I), G Shaw (Glenanne).