HOCKEY:This is proud-parents week in Irish hockey. As the Irish men's squad set off for their winter South African training camp tomorrow, to be followed by the women's side tomorrow week, two brothers and one sister will be making the journey.
Conor, David and Emer Harte have been selected for Dave Passmore and Gene Muller's Irish squads for the 10-day camps. Eighteen-year-olds Conor and David are twins and Emer is 23.
The trio came through the Bandon Grammar system, one of the strongest hockey schools in Cork and Munster. David ventured into goals at the age of 13 and has represented Ireland three times, while Conor and Emer, who both play outfield, have four and three caps respectively.
As men's coach, Passmore's initial contract in Ireland was in the Munster region and so he was aware of the talented family and had been watching their development. "All three of the Hartes have excellent natural athletic ability," he says. "The broad range of sports they played at a young age has helped to develop this and thankfully, they chose hockey. They are all highly driven and motivated to achieve and the boys have been impressive during their early experiences within the men's squad."
David Harte said: "Receiving this news about being selected for Ireland to go to South Africa has been the pinnacle of my career so far . . . knowing Conor will be with me is a unique occasion and to know Emer will then be doing the same in a few days after us is just incredible."
The camps are designed to give the less experienced players a high-intensity training period as Ireland look towards the European Championships in the summer. When they line out in Manchester, it will be the first time in many years the Irish men will face the elite European teams, having qualified in Rome 18 months ago.
In South Africa they will face the home nation on January 10th and Spain on January 14th. Between numerous training camps Passmore has also confirmed matches against the Netherlands in March and Belgium in April and although awaiting final confirmation, it looks likely Ireland will take on the Australian Institute of Sport in July.
