Following a successful trip to South Africa, Ireland men's coach David Passmore has selected his squad to play in a four-nation tournament in Egypt.
The trip to Cairo will also involve some friendly matches in Egypt as Passmore continues to prepare his squad for BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier action in China in April.
With Mark Ruddle and Gareth Lennox both unavailable due to academic commitments, Passmore is forced to travel with one goalkeeper - Charlie Henderson.
ÔÇ£The situation is unavoidable but, with Nigel Henderson and Bateman having retired after Rome, we do not want to put a young keeper in before they are ready or have gained experience working at senior level,2 Passmore said.
ÔÇ£Of course, if you take two keepers and one injures during a tournament you are in a similar situation so its something you just have to get used to. Goalkeeper coach Nigel Henderson will stay on standby back in Ireland in case his younger brother gets injured.ÔÇØ
Timmy Cockram is recalled after a missing the South Africa trip for academic reasons, but Stephen Butler is unavailable due to work commitments.
ÔÇ£This squad has a core group of young player. The opportunity to play in a competitive tournament is ideal for us and will be excellent experience during the final phase of our selection and preparation for China.
ÔÇ£Timmy showed up well in Dublin at the weekend and other players like Eugene Magee and Mark Gleghorne are also demonstrating some form.ÔÇØ
Sean Nicholson has been called up having missed the successful trip to South Africa but is currently carrying an ankle injury. Karl Burns is also receiving treatment for a long standing hamstring injury but is expected to be fit within the next two weeks.
Ireland Men
Andy Barbour, Jason Black, Mark Black, Paddy Brown, Karl Burns, Timothy Cockram, Mark Gleghorne, Ronan Gormley, Charlie Henderson, David Hobbs, Mark Irwin, John Jermyn, Iain Lewers, Eugene Magee, Phelie Maguire, Sean Nicholson, Graham Shaw, Justin Sherriff
Match Schedule
Saturday 25 February: Ireland v Poland, 18:00
Sunday 26 February: Ireland v Italy, 16:00
Tuesday 28 February: Ireland v Egypt, 18:00
Thursday 2 March: Classification matches, 15:30 and 18:00
Friday 3 March: Ireland v Egypt, time to be confirmed
Saturday 4 March: Ireland v Egypt time to be confirmed
