O’Donoghue named in hockey squad for Olympic Games

THE Olympic Federation of Ireland has officially named the men’s hockey team that will compete this summer at the Olympic Games in Paris and includes Shane O’Donoghue.

From Knocklyon, Shane has played with Tallaght side Glenanne for most of his career and is Ireland’s leading goal scorer.

This will be O’Donoghue’s second time to compete at the Olympics having played at the Rio Olympics in 2016 along with goal keeper David Harte.

The team clinched one of the coveted places at the final qualification event in Valencia earlier this year, when they defeated Korea 4-3 in a scintillating final match with O’Donoghue one of the scorers.

The Glenanne man will have a key role to play for Ireland at the Paris Olympics with 234 caps to his credit, The venue for the hockey tournaments is the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, which was the main arena for the eighth Olympiad in 1924.

In this stadium, Team Ireland first walked out as a competing nation at the Olympic Games 100 years ago.

It is the only stadium in France that will host events from two separate Olympic Games and will stage the hockey competitions in Paris 2024.

Competition for the hockey runs from July 27 to August 9. Ireland competes in Pool B where they face Belgium, India, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

Their first match will be against Belgium on July 27.

Speaking on the official selection, Head Coach, Mark Tumilty said: We’re delighted to announce the team today, those selected have earned this opportunity and it’s a moment for them and their families that they deserve.

I’ve always said the toughest part of my job is selecting only sixteen to compete, and our thoughts are also with those members of the group who have missed out on selection.

I am proud of them all for getting us to where we are today.”

“This brings to sixty-four the official number of athletes who have so far been selected to represent Team Ireland at Paris 2024, a Games that will see us celebrate our centenary competing as a nation at the Olympic Games.

The team announcements for each sport will follow over the coming weeks, with the final team announcement scheduled for the beginning of July.

The Olympic Games in Paris will run from the 24th July to the 11th August 2024, with the Opening Ceremony taking place on the 26th of July.