Hook Hockey

Hobbs back in Irish senior men’s squad

David Hobbs returns to Irish senior international squad this week for the men’s Celtic Cup as the Cork C of I man was named in Paul Revington’s panel for this week’s event, hosted by Lisnagarvey.

Hobbs was last played in a capped international in June 2011 when he made a short-notice return to the panel for that edition of the Celtic competition in the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

He has been a sporadic member of the senior panel in recent times but he steps up from the A panel which played England a fortnight ago along with club mate John Jermyn.

Indeed, it could be a famous moment for the drag-flicker as he sits three off the top-scorer’s mark currently held by Stephen Butler.

Twelve of the panel that travelled to Spain for a three-game series remain in situ while Philip Brown, Davy Carson and Stephen Dowds are included from last weekend’s Junior Celtic selection.

Ian Hughes takes the second goalkeeping smock over from Dave Fitzgerald who is injured while skipper Ronan Gormley is rested with John Jackson taking on the armband.

He will lead the side in a four-team competition against Scotland, Wales and South Africa – the latter who are in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics – replacing France who pulled out of all Celtic Cups this year.

The African side feature former Corinthian sweeper Andrew Cronje in their number. Speaking about the tournament Paul Revington said “All the players will be excited to get back into tournament mode again and make significant individual contributions to the continued momentum of the Ireland Team.”

Ireland Men – Celtic Cup
Jonny Bell (Lisnagarvey), Phillip Brown (Banbridge), Jonny Bruton (YMCA), Chris Cargo (Reading), Kenny Carroll (Railway Union), David Carson (Corinthian), Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey), Stephen Dowds (Banbridge), Conor Harte (SCHC), David Harte (SCHC), David Hobbs (Cork C of I), Ian Hughes (Cookstown), John Jackson (Braxgata), John Jermyn (Cork C of I), Jason Lynch (Cork C of I), Eugene Magee (Dragons), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge), Michael Watt (Santander)
Coach: Paul Revington Asst Coach: Brendon Carolan Manager: Peter Jackson; Physio: David Richards; S&C / Video: Stephen Barry and Jonny Caren

Weekend fixture schedule:
Thursday, June 28: Ireland v South Africa (men), pitch one, 8pm
Friday, June 29: Wales v Scotland (men), pitch two, 5pm; Ireland v Scotland (women), pitch one, 6.30pm
Saturday, June 30: Wales v Scotland (women), pitch two, 1pm; South Africa v Wales, pitch one (men), 2pm; Ireland v Scotland (men), pitch one, 4pm
Sunday, July 1: Wales v Ireland (women), pitch one, 12pm; South Africa v Scotland (men), pitch two, 12pm; Ireland v Wales (men), pitch one, 2pm