International Hockey

DUBLIN, October 9 - Ireland's hockey supporters and businesses have raised the cash required to send the men's international side to the Champions Challenge in Argentina next month.

A week ago, the Irish Hockey Association announced the decision to withdraw from the Challenge, but subsequently backed down saying the team could go if 45,000 euro could be raised to fund the trip. 

Get behind the Green Machine: An IHA poster urged fans to back the team's Olympic qualifying efforts. Now supporters have taken the message to heart and dug into their own pockets to help send the team to the Champions Challenge.DUBILN, October 7 - A player and fan backlash has thrown the Ireland's men's hockey team a lifeline and forced the national governing body to back down on a decision to withdraw from the Champions Challenge.

The Irish Hockey Association's decision to pull out of next month's tournament was announced on Tuesday, immediately drawing a storm of criticism on social media.

Lack of a coach and manager were cited as the reason, although subsequent reports - and events - suggest financial considerations were key.

Ireland go distance to beat Belgium; Scotland and USA also through

South Africa's Sulette Damons - photo: Adrian BoehmDUBLIN, October 5 - The Investec South Africa women's hockey team were edged 2-1 by tournament favourites Australia in the Champions Challenge quarter-finals in Dublin Thursday after the score was 1-1 at half-time.

Australia will now meet Scotland in the semi-finals while South Africa will play old rivals India in Saturday’s cross-pool playoffs that will determine who meets who on Sunday for positions five to eight.

Saturday's match schedule will be:

10am - 5-8 place: South Africa vs India
12.30pm 5-8 place: Belgium vs Wales
3pm semi-final: Australia vs Scotland
5.30pm Ireland vs USA.

Winging in the rain: The 20-year-old Capetonian Quanita Bobbs, in just her third match for South Africa, breaks away as Scotland's Kareena Marshall tries to keep up during the 0-0 Champions Challenge draw in Dublin, Ireland Tuesday afternoon - Photo: ADRIAN BOEHMDUBLIN, October 2 - The Investec South Africa women’s hockey team drew 0-0 with Scotland in an action-packed Champions Challenge encounter in Dublin Tuesday and will meet tournament favourites Australia in Thursday’s 4.30 pm quarter-final, to be televised live on SuperSport.

The young South Africans dominated, particularly in the second half, and had more goalscoring opportunities than their opponents in a match played in driving rain for much of the 70 minutes.

Turnaround time: Kelly Madsen (left) in action vs USA on Sunday, South Africa will be looking for a better result vs Scotland today - pic Adrian BoehmDUBLIN, October 2 - Fabian Gregory, assistant coach of the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team, is expecting a competitive match when the girls in green and gold take on Scotland at 3.30 pm in the Champions Challenge today.

Taking a minute's break on Monday's welcome rest day to reflect on Sunday’s 4-2 defeat against the USA, which followed the 1-0 loss to Ireland the day before, Gregory pinpointed one of the reasons.

LOUSADA, September 30 - Derek Forsyth achieved a fantastic coaching debut for Scotland's men's hockey side as the Scots thrashed Italy 9-0 to qualify with ease for the second round of the FIH World League

Forsyth`s squad won every game in Portugal handsomely, scored 30 goals in their four games, and kept a clean sheet throughout.

LOUSADA, September 27 - Scotland rocked Gibraltar with a comfortable 5-0 win in their second match of the first round of the men`s FIH World League, they now move into pole position in the table and qualification for the second round looks very much on the cards at this stage.

The Scots are now a point ahead of Gibraltar at the top of the table, but the latter have played a game more.

300 beckons: Marsha Marescia with the Investec London Cup player of the tournament award she won earlier this year - Action Images

UPDATE: Marsha Marescia has a leg injury and will not be playing Saturday.Lenise Marais will skipper SA.

DUBLIN, September 27 - South Africa embark on the two-year phase leading up to the 2014 hockey World Cup when they take to the field in the Champions Challenge in Dublin on Saturday. 

SA play hosts Ireland in their tournament opener at 3pm, a game which should mark captain Marsha Marescia's 300th international cap.