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HOME COMFORTS: SOCCER: GLEBE North will kick off the
new season with a glamour tie at home to Sligo Rovers after the LSL Sunday Senior 1 side were paired with the five-time champions in the FAI Cup first round. The Balbriggan side were drawn alongside the 2010, 2011 and 2013 FAI Cup winners, having reached this stage by virtue of their run to the last 16 of last season’s FAI Inter Cup.
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Masters all set for Murcia rematches sport@dublingazette.com
THE IRELAND Masters Over-55s hockey team is looking forward to their rematches with Spain at Ballsbridge’s Pembroke Wanderers this weekend following a memorable challenge series in Murcia against Spain earlier this year. The Spanish side – who will stay in the nearby Sandymount Hotel – face off on Saturday at 5.30pm against Ireland and then again on Sunday at 10am in a pair of international fixtures famed for intense competition but with a strong camaraderie. “Ireland Masters have a reputation for sportsmanship, inclusivity and determination,” says the Irish team’s Chris Townson. “We can’t change the fact we have only a small pool of players but we can punch above our weight, we can be proud to wear the shirt and above all demonstrate to all the true value of sport.”
Reflecting on the Spanish series, Townson reflects: “The alarm goes at 3.30 am on Saturday, the bags are packed the international shirt folded and the anticipation is rising. I get up and out for a flight at 7am our first friendly of the season awaits at 5pm in Murcia Spain. “The excitement and pride of playing international sport at 56 years old makes commitment worth it. The journey might be long today and all those sessions in the gym, the training camps and the effort to improve; but this is worth it. “I eventually arrived at the ground at 4pm to a warm and sunny February afternoon to meet our squad and our opposition. “The game was great fun. Our Spanish friends came out on top today but only just, I could genuinely feel the spirit of Masters Hockey. The pride to wear the shirt, the camaraderie and craic. “The evening was still young and
The Ireland Over-55 Masters side ahead of their matches against Spain in Murcia in February
great lifelong friendships were formed over dinner and a glass of local wine. My newfound friend, the Spanish goalkeeper and captain, would be tested tomorrow “The next morning, we play again, the friendships made put aside for the 60 minutes. We play much better, but the illusive win…
“What a weekend, great sport, great teammates and fantastic hosts. The spirit of Masters Hockey is very powerful, we must do it in Ireland next time.” And thus this weekend’s rematches come into view while there is also the jostle for places in the Masters World Cup squad who will play in South Africa in 2020.
SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240