Local players in World Cup squad
THERE is plenty of local interest in the Ireland Men’s Hockey squad that head coach Alexander Cox has announced for the World Cup in India, starting next month.
Three Rock Rovers boast three players on the panel with Luke Madeley, Daragh Walsh and Mitch Darling having all been given the nod as has former Glenanne player Shane O’Donoghue.
Mitch Darling and Shane O'Donoghue
Ireland, currently ranked 10th in the world, sit in Pool B for the World Cup with World Number One side Australia, Number Seven, England and Number 17, China.
The winners of each pool progress straight through to the quarterfinal and the bottom placed team goes home.
The second placed team in Pool B will play off against the third placed team in Pool A, and the third placed team in Pool B will play against the second placed team in Pool A.
Looking ahead to their World Cup challenge and the Four Nations Tournament in Valencia that precedes it, Cox said: “The camps we had in Ireland and overseas were very good and allowed me to see the potential of all the players in our training panel.
“The 20 players selected give me the most options in defence, midfield and attack.
“We are very much looking forward to the upcoming tournament in Valencia which will be our first test as a team as we look towards the World Cup,” he added.
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