Ireland hockey name Olympic panel

Ireland’s women’s hockey team panel have been selected for next month’s Tokyo Olympic games, their first Olympic tournament.

Also announced were the two travelling reserves and goalkeeper who will compete in Oi Hockey Stadium from July 24 to 6 August 2021.

In November 2019 the women’s hockey team became the first Irish women’s hockey team to qualify for the Olympic Games, beating Canada in front of a home crowd.

The Tokyo 2020 team is largely formed from that record breaking crew, which also features the majority of the 2018 World Cup Silver Medal winning squad.

In Tokyo, the team will compete in Pool A, alongside South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany, India and Olympic Champions, Great Britain. Their first competition takes place on Saturday 24thJuly against South Africa.

Captain of the women’s hockey team and 2018 World Cup Silver Medallist, Katie Mullan is proud of the team,

“With competition in our squad at its bestand only 16 spots available, we always knew this was going to be the toughest selection.

"31 players have played a massive role in our preparations over the past 10 months and we are honoured to represent the Green Army at the Olympic Games.

"There has been a tremendous amount of work put in by the girls and each of them deserve this opportunity. It's an exciting time for us and our families.”

“The Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport. We are excited and privileged to be the group representing Ireland's women's team at their first ever Olympics“ declared Ireland coach Sean Dancer.

"It is important to acknowledge all the hard work and sacrifice of everyone that has been involved now and in previously with the team to get to this point.

"We are going to take the key lessons from the recent Europeans to make the gains we need for the Olympics.”

Team Ireland hockey:

1 Ayeisha McFerran (GK)

2 Chloe Watkins

3 Hannah Matthews

4 Sarah Torrans

5 Nicci Daly

6 Roisin Upton

7 Hannah McLoughlin

8 Deirdre Duke

9 Katie Mullan

10 Shirley McCay