Ireland’s hockey preparations for Rio begin against France

Ireland kick off their preparation for Rio on home soil next month when they play two Test matches against France.

Following from the two-week camp in South Africa last month, games on March 1st and March 2nd will take coach Craig Fulton’s team to 10 international matches since January 14th.

Higher ranked Ireland will expect to win both games, although the French have been shown to be an abrasive and difficult side.

Sponsorship from Volkswagen will help Ireland’s cause as the money for preparation for Rio is not enough as it stands to allow players that are working to take time off.

It was Fulton’s hope that players could be absent from work to have a decent shot at the Olympics.

To put Ireland's challenge in perspective, England Hockey, according to BBC figures, will receive over £27.5 million (€34.7m) in funding from Sport England and UK Sport collectively between 2012 and Rio.

That figure is approximately 10 times what Irish hockey will get in the same time period.

Two matches

Fulton has named a 20-man squad for the two matches against France, with World Goalkeeper of the Year

David Harte

included, along with Monkstown keeper

Davy Fitzgerald

.

Harte was unavailable for Ireland’s camp in South Africa due to his commitments with professional Indian side Dabang Mumbai.

Most of the Irish players included are now with home-based clubs, with Monkstown providing five for the squad in Peter Carruth, brothers Lee and Stephen Cole, Gareth Watkins and Fitzgerald.

That should suit the group as the matches are scheduled to take place in Monkstown’s home ground, the Merrion Fleet Arena, at Rathdown School in south Dublin.