Ireland handed Pro League place for next season

The Ireland men's team will line up in the FIH Pro League next season after receiving an invitation from the International Hockey Federation to replace South Africa.

Ireland finished runners-up to South Africa in the inaugural Nations Cup tournament last November, losing a thrilling final 4-3.

The competition winners gained promotion to the Pro League for 2023-2024, replacing the nation that will finish bottom at the end of the current season.

However, South Africa have decided not to take up their place and as runners-up in the Nations Cup, Ireland have been invited by the FIH to replace them and have chosen to do so.

The 2023-2024 Pro League season will likely get underway in October and Ireland can expect games against world champions Germany and Olympic gold medal winners Belgium, as well as Australia, India and Great Britain.

Before that, Ireland will host Division 2 of the EuroHockey Championships in July at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, looking to claim a place in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for Paris 2024.

Commenting on gaining a place in the Pro League , Ireland coach Mark Tumilty said: "We are delighted this has come about. It’s a big opportunity for us and for men’s hockey in Ireland.

"It’s a massive challenge for us, but I’ve said many times before that for Ireland to move forward in world hockey we need to be playing competitive games against the top nations.

"To have the chance now to play 16 games against the top countries in the world will give our programme added purpose and focus."