Monday, July 8th:
On Saturday, July 6th the IRL Men’s squad selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games gathered in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, Dublin for the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Family Day. Organised by the OFI and Sport Ireland, the all-day event gathered the players and coaches, and their family and friends together to celebrate the moment where the team were officially presented with their Team Ireland Jerseys.
The attendees enjoyed addresses from a variety of representatives from the OFI, Team Ireland and Hockey Ireland. Speeches were given by OFI Chief Executive Peter Sherrard, Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Paris Gavin Noble, Hockey Ireland CEO Anne McCormack, and Head Coach Mark Tumilty. They were also treated to inspirational videos to ground in reality the fact that the players gathered in that room would be representing Ireland at an Olympic Games in just a matter of weeks.
Speaking with the OFI after the event, IRL Men Captain Sean Murray said:
“To sum it up, a really, really special day. Getting the new kit is always exciting but to have a full day event from the OFI, Sport Ireland and Team Ireland and to make this happen with your family and friends, to represent them having had such an impact on our lives and, of course, on our sporting careers. It’s all becoming very, very real. I just can’t wait to get going.”
When asked about the prospect of their upcoming departure to Paris:
“Pure elation. So much excitement! We are lucky that we are one of the teams that gets to go out a week early, before the tournament actually starts. It will give us a nice bit of time to let us settle in and not be too overwhelmed by the time the tournament actually starts!”
The IRL Men are set to fly to Paris on Thursday, July 18th and will be one of the few teams to get early access to the Olympic Village. They begin their campaign against Tokyo gold medallists Belgium on Saturday, July 27th at 09:30 Irish Time. The IRL Men will also face Australia, India Argentina and New Zealand as they fight to progress out of Pool B to the knockout stages.
Fixtures
Saturday, July 27th – 09:30 Irish Time – Ireland vs Belgium
Monday, July 29th – 09:00 Irish Time – Ireland vs Australia
Tuesday, July 30th – 12:15 Irish Time – Ireland vs India
Thursday, August 1st – 12:15 Irish Time – Ireland vs Argentina
Friday, August 2nd – 16:00 Irish Time – Ireland vs New Zealand