Ireland's hockey stars head to Paris with blend of realism and optimism

David Harte is relishing the prospect of becoming a two-time Olympian when Ireland's hockey side begin their Paris 2024 campaign against Belgium.

The towering goalkeeper is one of just two men in the squad to have featured in Rio 2016, with Ireland’s record goalscorer Shane O’Donoghue also set for his second Games.

Belgium, India, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand lie in wait after the team secured qualification courtesy of a 3-1 win over Korea in a third-placed play-off in the final Olympic qualifier in Valencia in January.

The Corkman hopes his prior Olympic experience will allow him to enjoy the Games even more second time around, while also acting as a font of information for his team-mates.

"I believe somebody summed it up nicely to me when I was over in the village in Rio, they said your first Olympic Games is a fantastic experience, but your second one will be better," Harte told RTÉ Sport.

"So I think looking back and being able to impart some knowledge or advice onto the other players around is valuable.

"There are only two of us who have competed there, myself and Shane.

"So we have a bit of an insight what it's like and to try and give a good picture and an image of what it's actually like competing at an Olympic Games, at a multi-sport event and not just a hockey tournament. We can give some kind of idea of what they can expect when we get over there.

"But I can't wait to get back into that arena."

No sooner have Harte and his team-mates got back from France than their return beckons, with Ireland having undertaken a training camp in Lille in preparation for the Games.

"We had a very intensive eight/nine days, with two matches over there against the French side who will be going to compete in Paris," the 36-year-old