Róisín Upton: We're a match for anyone in the world

Róisín Upton says Ireland are good enough to live with any team in the world as they chase a ticket to the Paris Olympic Games in Spain this week.

The Green Army will face Belgium, Korea and Ukraine in Pool A of their qualification tournament, with Great Britain, Spain, Canada and Malaysia housed in Pool B.

The top two in each pool advance to the semi-finals, the finalists securing automatic qualification and the losing semi-finalists playing off for the last remaining spot.

Ireland begin with a really tough clash against the world No 4-ranked Belgians in Valencia on Saturday evening [5.30pm tip-off], and while Sean Dancer's side are braced for a massive challenge, it's one they're ready for.

"It's a start you want going into a tournament," Upton told RTÉ Sport.

"It's a big game, so we're going to have to be ready. I think our preparation has been excellent. We played Belgium before Christmas, we are very familiar with each other. It's going to be a big challenge but it's one we're looking forward to.

"It's pretty black and white. The reality is we're ranked fifth out of eight teams here and we need to finish in the top three to get one of those spots for the Olympics. We know the challenge that's ahead of us... but we're looking forward to it."

"We want to be at the Olympics, that's the pinnacle. We want Irish hockey on the map."

Upton has scaled great heights with Ireland. She was part of the remarkable journey to the the 2018 World Cup final and featured at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

However the last couple of years has been a rebuild of sorts, as head coach Dancer has implemented a new style of play and blooded some fresh talent.

"This time two years ago if you'd told me we'd be as prepared as we are and as excited as we are