Hockey: Ireland men's head coach Dave Passmore has named his squad for next month's Olympic qualifying tournament in New Zealand, stressing it was his 'hardest decision in nine years of international sport'.
It is 17 years since Ireland last competed in such a qualifier but they face a tough task in a winner-takes-all competition which features higher-ranked sides Argentina, hosts New Zealand and France as well as Trinidad & Tobago and the USA.
"This has been the hardest squad I have selected in my nine years of international sport," said Passmore. "The lads who have missed out can consider themselves very unlucky as the quality of individual performance is higher than at any stage of our preparation last year.
"The margins for not being selected were very fine and often came down to ability at set-pieces and versatility."
The qualifier takes place in Auckland between February 2nd and 10th.
Squad: M Ruddle (gk), K Burns, D Hobbs (Cork C of I), P Brown (capt), M Gleghorne (Instonians), J Black, M Black (Cork Harlequins), D Harte (gk), R Gormley, T Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers), M Watt (Grange), S Butler, G Shaw (Glenanne), J Jermyn, I Lewers (HGC), E Magee (Banbridge), A Barbour (Cookstown), P Maguire (Three Rock Rovers). Travelling reserve: T Cockram (Lisnagarvey).