Ireland’s hockey captain, Sean Murray, is fully prepared for their inaugural season in the FIH Pro League as they prepare for the forthcoming Olympics in Paris. Subsequent to their recent qualification for the Games, the team finds themselves in Bhubaneswar, India, ready to embark on what could be a momentous journey for Irish hockey.
The Pro League encompasses the top eight nations in the global rankings, with the victors of the Nations Cup earning promotion to join them in a tournament played over the span of almost nine months. Despite finishing as runners-up in the Nations Cup, Ireland secured their Pro League position when South Africa withdrew.
To minimize travelling, the competition is structured into a series of mini-tournaments. Ireland’s initial matches in Bhubaneswar will pit them against the Netherlands, Australia, Spain, and India. After the series in Bhubaneswar, the teams will then relocate to Rourkela, India, to resume the competition later in February.
Looking ahead, Ireland will compete against Belgium, Argentina, Germany, and Great Britain in subsequent rounds to be held in Belgium in May and at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London in June.
Sean Murray conveyed the team’s enthusiasm for the upcoming matches, expressing, “We are all eager to get started and exceptionally excited to arrive in India. India is an exceptional place to play hockey in any case, but against the top teams in the world, I believe it will be a tremendous test for ourselves and we are truly looking forward to it.”
Although Ireland is considered the rank outsiders and is predicted to finish at the bottom, they remain hopeful of sustaining their Pro League status. Murray acknowledged the challenges they may encounter but stressed the significance of learning and improving with each game. He also underscored the underdog mentality as a source of motivation for the team, enabling them to play freely and at par with their competitors.
In the wake of their recent qualification for the Olympics, Ireland’s focus is on the journey ahead and the valuable lessons they can accrue from participating in the Pro League. Despite being the lowest-ranked team in the league, Murray sees this as an opportunity for the team to test themselves against top-tier teams and further progress and learn from the experience.
The Pro League fixtures will see Ireland face formidable opponents, including the Netherlands, Australia, Spain, and India in the forthcoming matches. With the team’s sights set on the Olympics, the Pro League serves as a pivotal platform for Ireland to refine their skills and enhance their competitiveness on the international stage.
As Ireland embraces this new challenge, their participation in the Pro League will undoubtedly serve as a significant stepping stone in their journey towards the Olympics. With a spirit of determination and a willingness to learn and develop, Ireland is poised to make the most of this opportunity to elevate their performance levels and emerge as stronger contenders in the realm of international hockey.