Ireland men's national field hockey team


The Ireland men's national field hockey team is organised by Hockey Ireland and represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in international men's field hockey competitions, including the Summer Olympics, the Men's Hockey World Cup and the EuroHockey Nations Championship. They have previously competed in the Men's Intercontinental Cup, the Hockey Champions Challenge, the Men's FIH Hockey World League and the FIH Hockey Series. On 26 January 1895 Ireland played in the first ever international field hockey match when they defeated Wales 3–0 in Rhyl. Ireland were finalists and silver medallists at the 1908 Summer Olympics. Ireland were also bronze medallists at the 2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship.

Early years

The Irish Hockey Union was founded on 6 February 1893 and on 26 January 1895 Ireland played in the first ever international field hockey match when they defeated Wales 3–0 in Rhyl. In 1895 Ireland also played England for the first time. This was also England's first ever international field hockey match. England's first four international matches, in 1895, 1896, 1897 and 1898, were all against Ireland. By the start of the First World War, Ireland had played 55 international matches, mostly against Wales, England or Scotland. This saw 605 individuals represent Ireland, at least 164 of whom were brothers. Amongst the most notable set of brothers were the Petersons, including Jack and Walter. In 1904 the Peterson brothers were members of the Ireland team that won the Triple Crown. Ireland won the title after defeating Wales 4–2 away and England 3–2 at home. As well as Jack and Walter, the team also included their brothers Nicholas, William and Cecil. Another brother, Herbert made two Ireland appearances between 1900 and 1902. In total the brothers won 66 caps between them.

Tournament history

Olympic Games

In 1908, with a team that included Jack and Walter Peterson, Ireland played in the very first Olympic field hockey tournament. After defeating Wales 3–1 in the semi-final, they lost 8–1 to England in the final. The Ireland team was part of the Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics team. Because of this, the silver medal won by Ireland is credited to Great Britain and not Ireland. Ireland would have to wait 108 years before competing in their next Olympic tournament. In 1980 Ireland were invited to enter the tournament after a number of teams dropped out following the boycott. However the offer was turned down by the Irish Hockey Union due to the short notice. Shortly after it was proposed that Ireland apply to enter in 1984. However following a meeting on 16 May 1980 it was rejected due to opposition from the Ulster Branch. Ireland have entered Olympic qualifying tournaments since 1992. After narrowly missing out on qualification in both 2008 and 2012, Ireland qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics after finishing fifth in the 2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals. Australia's 3–2 victory over New Zealand in the 2015 Oceania Cup confirmed Ireland's qualification.
TournamentsPlace
1908 Summer Olympics
2008 Men's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier4th
2012 Men's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier2nd
2016 Summer Olympics10th
2019 Men's FIH Olympic Qualifiers

World Cup

Ireland qualified for the 1978 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing as runners-up at the 1977 Men's Intercontinental Cup. The Ireland squad at their first World Cup included Terry Gregg, David Judge and Tommy Allen. Ireland qualified for the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing fifth at the 1989 Men's Intercontinental Cup. The 1990 World Cup squad included Jimmy Kirkwood, Stephen Martin, Billy McConnell and Martin Sloan. Ireland qualified for the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing fifth in the 2016–17 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals.
TournamentsPlace
1978 Men's Hockey World Cup12th
1990 Men's Hockey World Cup12th
2009 Men's Hockey World Cup Qualifiers3rd
2018 Men's Hockey World Cup14th

EuroHockey Championship

Ireland have played regularly in the EuroHockey Nations Championship. With a team that included Harry Cahill and David Judge, Ireland competed in the inaugural 1970 tournament. Ireland hosted the 1995 tournament. After finishing ninth in 2003, Ireland were relegated to the 2005 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy. After winning this tournament, Ireland were promoted to the 2007 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship. After finishing seventh in 2007 Ireland were again relegated. However after winning the 2009 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy, they were promoted to the 2011 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship. Ireland's best performance in the tournament came in 2015 when they won the bronze medal after beating the hosts, England, 4–2 in the third place play-off with goals from Shane O'Donoghue, Alan Sothern and Eugene Magee.
TournamentsPlace
1970 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship9th
1974 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship11th
1978 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship8th
1983 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship10th
1987 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship6th
1991 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship7th
1995 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship5th
1999 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship11th
2003 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship9th
2005 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy1st
2007 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship7th
2009 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy1st
2011 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship5th
2013 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship6th
2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship
2017 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship6th
2019 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship8th
2021 Men's EuroHockey Championship IIQualified

Men's Intercontinental Cup

Between 1977 and 2006 Ireland played regularly in the Men's Intercontinental Cup. Ireland qualified for the 1978 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing as runners-up at the 1977 Men's Intercontinental Cup. With a team that included Jimmy Kirkwood, Stephen Martin, Billy McConnell and Martin Sloan, Ireland qualified for the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing fifth at the 1989 Men's Intercontinental Cup. After finishing ninth in the 1993 Men's Intercontinental Cup, Ireland were relegated to the 1996 Inter Nations Cup. After finishing fourth in this tournament they qualified for the 1997 Men's Intercontinental Cup.
TournamentsPlace
1977 Men's Intercontinental Cup2nd
1981 Men's Intercontinental Cup4th
1985 Men's Intercontinental Cup6th
1989 Men's Intercontinental Cup5th
1993 Men's Intercontinental Cup9th
1996 Inter Nations Cup4th
1997 Men's Intercontinental Cup12th
2006 Men's Intercontinental Cup8th

Hockey Champions Challenge

Between 2009 and 2014 Ireland competed in the Hockey Champions Challenge. They initially played in the second level tournament. However after winning the 2011 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge II they were promoted to the 2012 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge I.
TournamentsPlace
2009 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge II2nd
2011 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge II1st
2012 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge I3rd
2014 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge I4th

Men's FIH Hockey World League

Between 2012 and 2017 Ireland played in the Men's FIH Hockey World League. Ireland won World League tournaments in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Ireland qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics after finishing fifth in the 2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals. Ireland also qualified for the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing fifth in the 2016–17 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals.
TournamentsPlace
2012–13 Men's FIH Hockey World League14th
→ 2012–13 Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 11st
→ 2012–13 Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 22nd
→ 2012–13 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals7th
2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League9th
→ 2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 21st
→ 2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals5th
2016–17 Men's FIH Hockey World League11th
→ 2016–17 Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 21st
→ 2016–17 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals5th

FIH Hockey Series

During 2019, Ireland played in the FIH Hockey Series.
TournamentsPlace
2018–19 Men's FIH Series Finals2nd
2019 Men's FIH Olympic Qualifiers

Invitational tournaments

Players

Current squad

The following 18 players were selected for the 2019 FIH Olympic Qualifiers.
Head coach: Mark Tumilty
Caps updated as of 15 October 2019, after the match against Belgium.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the national team in the last 12 months.

Olympians

;London 1908
;Rio 2016
The following Ireland internationals have also represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics.

Coaches

2018 Results and fixtures

;2018 4 Nations Men's Tournament Valencia
;2018 Men's Hockey World Cup

Honours