Senior Celtic Cup preview
When: 26th-28th June at Peffermill Playing Fields in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Tickets: Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at ticketweb for £5 per day or £12 for a season ticket covering all days.
Match schedule: Men’s schedule | Women’s schedule
Accommodation: Interested in coming to watch the matches? Edinburgh University’s Pollock Halls is the official accommodation for but several other B&B’s are located close to the pitch on Peffermill Road.
For the two Welsh squads this years Celtic Cup provides a perfect opportunity to test themselves ahead of vitally important EuroHockey Nations tournaments in July and August as these provide the last chance to secure Commonwealth Games qualification.
2009’s Senior Celtic Cup sees the best hockey players of the Home Nations, France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, compete at Peffermill playing fields in Edinburgh 26th-28th June.
In a special Celtic Cup preview, key people involved told us ‘what’s in it for hockey fans?’
Zac Jones, Men's Coach Welsh Hockey:
Why does the Celtic Cup hold such an appeal?
The Celtic Cup is a vital preparation for all teams involved in the run up to the Europeans, with coaches looking to experiment different formation and set plays. This year in particular Wales, Ireland and Scotland men are all in the same tournament at the Euro Hockey Nations in Wrexham.
Does the home team have an advantage?
Playing in your home country is a double edged sword, as much as it can be an advantage it can also add unwanted pressure.
Why should I watch the matches?
Some of the best players in the United Kingdom will be showcasing their skills, with Scottish and Welsh Athletes in particular looking to impress ahead of the next Olympic Cycle.
David Passmore, High-performance Director, Irish Hockey:
Why does the Celtic Cup hold such an appeal?
It is an exciting event run over three days allowing spectators to watch both of their national teams in successive matches.
How fierce is the competition between the teams?
You only have to look at the fact that all the many team countries have won the event over the last few years to see how close competition usually is. On the women’s side it is usually between Scotland or Ireland but both Wales and France have the potential to cause an upset.
Why should I watch the matches?
Competition is tight and every goal in every game usually has a reflection on who is eventually the outright winner. Each of the teams have some skilful and colourful players that makes the games even more interesting.
Scott Goodheart, Head Coach - Men, Fédération Français de Hockey:
Who do you see as the main competition?
All teams are strong, and all teams have a good chance of winning the title. As defending champions, Ireland will be tough, although Scotland will be very competitive as the home team.
Does the home team have an advantage?
I think there is an element of advantage playing in front of a parochial home crowd. However, it can also be a distraction.
Why does the Celtic Cup hold such an appeal?
It’s an excellent tournament that is always well organised. In 2009 the tournament is also at an important time, kick-starting an intense phase of our preparation for the European Cup.
How fierce is the competition between the teams?
It’s competitive but also respectful. Each team has played against one another many times, so there is always a good spirit in the matches.
Why should I watch the matches?
It’s a tournament where teams will take risks, which means exciting hockey and a good spectacle. I would assume 2009 is no exception.
Callum Mcleod, Performance manager, Scottish Hockey:
Are you hopeful of Scotland winning?
Scotland’s women will be very determined to retain the trophy and the men will be looking to go one step further and win the trophy this year. Both teams will be looking to capitalise on home advantage.
Who do you see as the main competition?
The men’s event is always very competitive. The French team, the only team to be playing in the top division of Europe, will be very hard to beat. Scotland men lost three test matches to the Irish back in October, so we know how good they are and the Welsh team is always difficult to beat.
As for the women, Ireland is normally the team to beat but they will be weakened this year with the clash of the Champions Challenge dates. However, they are usually the team to beat.
Does Scotland, as the home team, have an advantage?
Scotland teams will be looking to capitalise on the home advantage. Obviously, our teams do not need to travel so there is no recovery time required. Our players also know the surface well and will be looking to please a home crowd.
Why does the Celtic Cup hold such an appeal?
With the European senior events just over a month away the teams will be close to their final preparations with the strongest players involved, except the Irish women on this occasion.
Interestingly, the teams know each other very well but with the euro events so close it is unlikely that each team will want to give too many tactics away.
Why should I go and watch the matches?
The teams will contain some of the most exciting players in the world. Scotland will have Great Britain Player of the Year and World 16 player Alistair McGregor alongside his Olympic team- mate Steven Dick.
The girls will have Olympian Laura Bartlett and we may see some of the Youth Olympic players on show including: Gavin Byers, Ross Stott, Gordon McIntyre, Kenny Bain, Amy Gibson and Becky Ward.
Selection for both Scottish teams has been very competitive this year with all players eager to please coaching staff.
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