Dubliner Phelie Maguire, of course, has already completed a season with leading Dutch club HGC, and then came word that Annadale's Iain Lewers was going to join him this season.

Now John Jermyn will make it a trio of Irish internationals at The Hague, after he too became a target for the Dutch team following impressive displays during last week's Eurohockey Nations Cup in Manchester.

Irish head coach Dave Passmore would prefer his players were all based in Ireland, but nevertheless gives his blessing to these latest moves.

"It was an ideal opportunity for the players, and they're keen to give it a go," explains Passmore.

"But I know the HGC coach well, and I've had talks with him to guarantee that the players would be made available for all games and training camps in the build-up to the Olympic Qualifer, as well as the Qualifier itself."

Passmore has given his squad a deserved five-week break from international duty but then the build-up towards the Qualifier will begin in earnest around December.

"It's looking like we'll be on our way to New Zealand from February 2-10 for the Qualifier, so we'll have two heavy months of preparation before we go," he said.

The Irish probably put up their most consistent set of results in a major series at Manchester, but the fine line between success and failure saw them relegated despite having the best defensive record and having scored the most goals in one game at the tournament.

In the end it was the disappointing performance against France (0-1) which cost them dearly - they should have won that game and the reward would have been a place in the semi-finals.

But such was their displays against Spain (1-1), Holland (0-1) and England (1-1), as well as the double figure thrashing of the Czech Republic, which augurs well for the Qualifier.

Meanwhile Cookstown are hoping to parade new signing Johnny McMeekin when they host the Nigel Cheevers Memorial Tournament at Coolnafrankey this weekend.

McMeekin, who had spells with the now defunct Holywood 87 clubs, in Scotland and more recently at Senior One club Antrim, strengthens the Co Tyrone squad further, following the return of former Ulster defender Gareth Cuddy from Australia.

Captaining the team this season is Iain Hutchinson and coaches are Michael Haycock, Geoff Hamilton and Brian Hall.

They will be up against last year's winners Raphoe and visiting teams Edinburgh (Scotland) and Monkstown (Leinster) while the women's competition will feature the hosts, Dungannon, Randalstown and visiting English team Tuleshill & Dulwich.

Off the pitch there will be food and entertain on Saturday evening (8pm) and the presentation dinner on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm).

Nigel Cheevers Memorial Tournament

Tomorrow

Women: Cookstown v Tuleshill & Dulwich (6.30pm). Men: Cookstown v Edinburgh (8pm).

Saturday

Women: Tuleshill & Dulwich v Dungannon (10am); Tuleshill & Dulwich v Randalstown (1pm). Men: Monkstown v Raphoe (11:30am); Edinburgh v Monkstown (2.30pm); Cookstown v Raphoe (4pm).

Sunday

Women: Tuleshill & Dulwich v Cookstown (11:30 am). Men: Edinburgh v Raphoe (10am); Cookstown v Monkstown (1pm).