The Irish men’s hockey team will play two matches against Belgium in Dublin in early March, allowing head coach David Passmore to exposure to a number of inexperienced players to international competition.

These are revised dates for the visit to which had to be changed to accommodate Belgium’s late invitation to the Sahara Champions Challenge in Egypt at the start of April.

The last time Ireland and Belgium met was at the Europeans Nations Cup in Barcelona 2003 when Belgium equalised in the last minute for a 3-3 draw to qualify for the 5th to 8th playoffs at Ireland’s expense.

Belgium is currently 14th on the Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking the world and narrowly missed out on qualifying for last year’s Olympic Games in Athens after losing a penalty stoke playoff to South Africa.

The games will be played at Three Rock Rovers, Grange Road, Rathfarnham on the following dates:

1st Test: Wednesday, 2 March, 8.30pm
2nd Test: Wednesday, 9 March, 8.30pm

David Passmore has announced the following two squads for the matches which will enable him to see the players in international competition. He has also spoken to various club coaches regarding potential issues relating to the proximity of the Irish Senior Cup Semi Finals scheduled for Saturday, 12 March.

“These matches give me an early look at most of the players in the squad. I will be using the Tests to look at different player combinations and positions in addition to experimenting with systems of play,” Passmore said.

“Belgium provide ideal opposition, especially as they have been away in Australia preparing.”

“The players have been working hard both physically and technically and I am keen to see how this impacts in these matches. The club coaches have been very accommodating in releasing players for the second match.

“We are hoping for a further one off match against Belgium but at this stage this is not confirmed.”

A further match between Belgium and Ireland’s development squad will also be played in Dublin on Monday, 21 March.

Ireland Men
Squad for 1st Test
Wesley Bateman (Cork Harlequins), 26 caps/0 goals
Jason Black (Cork Harlequins), 65/3
Mark Black (Cork Harlequins), 30/2
Paddy Brown (Instonians), 69/3
Stephen Butler (Dragons), 65/27
Timothy Cockram (Lisnagarvey), 4/0
Gordon Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers), 43/18
Ronan Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers), 1/0
Charlie Henderson (GK-Corinthian), 2/0
David Hobbs (Cork C of I), 31/0
Mark Irwin (Instonians), 56/22
Iain Lewers (Annadale), 5/0
Sean Nicholson (Cork Harlequins), 9/0
Mark Raphael (Lisnagarvey), 61/8
Graham Shaw (Annadale), 43/3
Brian Waring (Lisnagarvey), 12/1
Justin Sherriff (Dragons), 54/34
Reserve:  Mark Gleghorne  (Loughborough Uni), 4/1
Note: Gordon Elliott is currently injured and will have a fitness test closer to the match.

Squad for 2nd Test
Andy Barbour (Cookstown), 23 caps/1 goal
Wesley Bateman (GK-Cork Harlequins), 26/0
Karl Burns (Cork C of I), 20/0
Stephen Butler (Dragons), 65/27
Charlie Henderson (GK-Corinthian), 2/0
Timothy Cockram (Lisnagarvey), 4/0
David Bane (Aer Lingus), 0/0
Dave Eakins (Cork Harlequins), 13/0
Gordon Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers), 43/18
David Hobbs (Cork C of I), 31/0
Jason Black (Cork Harlequins), 65/3
Mark Black (Cork Harlequins), 30/2
Phelie Maguire (Dublin Uni), 0/0
Sean Nicholson (Cork Harlequins), 9/0
Paddy Brown (Instonians), 69/3
Graham Shaw (Annadale), 43/3
Justin Sherriff (Dragons), 54/34
Reserve: Eugene Magee (Banbridge), 0/0

Team Management
Dave Passmore (Head Coach)
Dennis Pritchard (Assistant Coach)
David Scott (Assistant Coach)
Andy Smyth (Assistant Coach)
Turloch O'Siochan (Assistant Coach)
Steven Hiles (Manager)
Kathy Hickman (Physiotherapist)