The Ireland hockey team have edged closer to their fundraising target of €225,000 on a day when national coach Craig Fulton announced the 16-man squad for the Olympics in Rio.
The Irish hockey team received €50,000 from the Olympic Council of Ireland and have now exceeded the €200,000 mark. The majority of the money raised came from within the hockey community but a significant contribution came from the general public through a Go Fund Me campaign. The governing body is optimistic that they will achieve their financial goal.
In qualifying, the squad ensured they will become the first in 68 years to represent Ireland in a field at the Olympics. They will also bridge 108-year gap to the last Irish hockey side to compete at the games.
Ireland will be captained by David Harte, voted the world's best goalkeeper – his twin Conor, a defender, is also in the squad. Since the heartbreak of losing out on qualifying for London 2012 to a controversial last minute goal to Korea at Belfield, they have pursued their Olympic dream under the 'No Excuses,' mission statement.
The Hartes are sons of former Tyrone goalkeeper Kieran, a first cousin of Tyrone manager, Mickey. “Only about a month and a half ago, myself and my brother met with him, along with the rest of the group, in Carton House,” said David.
“We had quite a week: we had just met Rory McIlroy fresh off his Irish Open success, then Mickey Harte came to talk to us and then we had Joe Schmidt at one of our fundraising dinners.
“We were spoilt for choice. We spoke with Mickey at length – nothing maybe with regards to hockey but just in general how you handle yourself, body language, nerves and things like that.”
Ireland are in the same pool as the reigning Olympic champions, Germany, the number two ranked team in the world, The Netherlands, and Pan-American champions, Argentina, along with India and Canada. The daunting challenge will be compounded by the small matter of playing five matches in a week.
IRELAND HOCKEY SQUAD: J Bell (Lisnagarvey), C Cargo (Racing), P Caruth (Annadale), M Darling (Rotterdam), P Gleghorne (Lisnagarvey), K Good (Monkstown), R Gormley (Krefeld), D Harte (Kampong, capt), C Harte (Racing), J Jackson (Reading), J Jermyn (Cork C of I), E Magee (Banbridge), S O'Donoghue (Dragons), A Sothern (Pembroke), K Shimmins (Pembroke), M Watt (Lisnagarvey).
Travelling reserves: T Cockram (Lisnagarvey), M Robson (Annadale), D Fitzgerald (Monkstown).
Management: C Fulton (coach), S Barry (manager), S Haslam (physio), J Caren (assistant), W McConnell (performance), G McMahon (physiologist), N Henderson (goalkeeping coach)
Ireland's Olympic fixtures: v India (August 6th), v Holland (7th), v Germany ( 9th), v Canada (11th), v Argentina (12th).
