Bann set for top tier of European hockey

Banbridge will play in next season's European Hockey League.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th May 2016, 10:22 BST

Updated 24th May 2016, 11:26 BST

Banbridge will join Lisnagarvey in the top tier of European hockey next year.

The club’s own performance in this summer’s EuroHockey Champions Trophy, where they reached the final, has proven enough to secure a spot in the top tier of European Hockey.

Their Trophy run helped to earn enough ranking points to ensure Ireland leapfrogged Russia in the rankings into eighth spot.

That means Ireland will have two teams in next season’s IHL as Bann will line up alongside IHL champions Lisnagarvey.

It marks a huge boost for the club and Irish Hockey, which is on a high ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games.