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Irish men's hockey team heading to Rio 2016

The Irish men's hockey team has qualified for next summer's Olympic Games in Rio. The qualificati...



Irish men's hockey team he...
Golf

Irish men's hockey team heading to Rio 2016

The Irish men's hockey team has qualified for next summer's Olympic Games in Rio.

The qualification came after Australia's 3-2 victory against New Zealand in the Oceania Cup. Since Australia had already qualified for the Olympics, the Irish team were next in line to secure their place.

It follows Ireland finishing in 5th place at the World League in Antwerp in July, and a bronze medal at the Eurohockey Championships in August.

It's quite the achievement for the men's team, as it makes them not only the first Irish hockey team to qualify for the Games since 1908, but also the first Irish team from any sport to qualify since 1948.

Irish head coach Craig Fulton said, "firstly commiserations to New Zealand and congratulations to Australia. We have secured our spot at Rio 2016! It probably hasn’t sunk in yet but we’re over the moon.

"It’s testament to what the guys have achieved this year on and off the field,” he added.

Ireland will be joining Brazil, India, Germany, Canada, Spain, Belgium, Great Britain, Argentina, Netherlands and Australia in Rio, with one team left to qualify.

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