Irish Hockey

By Graham Hamilton

08 April 2004
LISNAGARVEY have arrived safely in Austria and are completing their preparations for the European Cup Winners Cup Division B campaign in Vienna.

Coach Peter McCabe had the players training on the competition pitch today, ahead of the four games in four days series being staged over Easter.

McCabe has a full strength squad to choose from, after what has been a nightmare season through injury, and is targeting promotion to the elite section for Ireland's representatives next season - in this case Instonians who booked their place with a single goal extra-time victory over Cork Harlequins in Dublin last Sunday.

Garvey are in the right frame of mind to achieve Division A status - they received a boost before they left when they signed up a new sponsorship for next season.

"Having a shot at Europe is a great experience for the club, and particularly the younger players," said skipper Mark Tumilty.

"We believe we have a good chance of success, and to know that we have tied up a deal with Anglo Irish Bank for next season is a great incentive."

Garvey start their campaign against Croatian team Jedinstvo tomorrow afternoon and their remaining games are against Bohemians from the Czech Republic (Saturday afternoon) and hosts AHTC (Easter Sunday).

The Lisburn lads need to finish either first or second in their pool and then must win the crossover game on Easter Monday to achieve promotion.

This will be against a team from the other pool, which comprises Roma (Italy), Servette (Switzerland), Eagles (Gibraltar) and Dinamo Moscow (Russia).

Four games in four days can take a big toll on players, but if Garvey can escape injuries, then they can not only achieve their promotion objective but also be in the right frame of mind for the all-Ireland quarter-final play-off first leg against Pembroke Wanderers four days after their return.

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