Bann trio get Ireland’s call for WL3

Eugene Magee is one of three Banbridge players in the Ireland squad. Pic: Rowland White / Presseye.

Having played their parts in the warm-up games in France and Belgium, the trio clearly did enough to impress Ireland coach Craig Fulton, making the final 18 man squad for World League Three.

The tournament, in Belgium, begins for Ireland against Great Britain on Tuesday 23rd June and doubles up as an Olympic qualifying event.

They will then take on Malaysia, China and Belgium in Pool B.

Ireland lost out 3-2 and 4-2 in two tight practice games against top seeds and hosts Belgium last weekend, star forward Shane O’Donaghue netting all of the Green Machine’s four goals.

Despite the defeats, Bann skipper Eugene Magee is hoping Ireland can use the games to help them to Olympic qualification.

“We didn’t play as well as we can at the weekend but we’re learning with every game,” he said.

“If we can get a few things right going into World League Three, we will be fine.”

Having made his final choices, Ireland Coach Craig Fulton is hoping for a successful campaign.

He said: “Since World League 2 in San Diego the Irish squad have worked really hard together with aiming for successful World League 3 and Euros in mind.

“Final selection is never an easy situation for any coach or player and this was definitely the case for this group of players. We are all proud of the individual work done by the players to get as conditioned as they are right now and we look forward to World League 3 in Antwerp.”

IRELAND SQUAD

1.Jonny Bell- Lisnagarvey

2.Drew Carlisle- Banbridge

3.Peter Caruth- Monkstown

4.Chris Cargo- Racing

5.Mitch Darling -Three Rock

6.Stephen Dowds- Banbridge

7.David Fitzgerald- Monkstown

8.Paul Gleghorne- Lisnagarevy

9.Kyle Good- Dragons

10.Ronan Gormley- Krefeld

11.Conor Harte- Racing

12.David Harte- Kampong

13.John Jackson -Reading

14.Eugene Magee- Banbridge

15.Shane O’Donoghue -Dragons

16.Kirk Shimmins- UCD

17.Alan Sothern- Racing

18.Micheal Watt -Surbiton

NON TRAVELLING FOR WL3

1.Lee Cole- Monkstown

2.Neal Glassy -Lisnagarvey

3.Mark Ingram- Pembroke

4. Stuart Loughrey- Cannock

5.Jonny Bruton -Three Rock

6.Micheal Robson -Annadale

MATCH SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES LISTED ARE BELGIAN LOCAL TIME)

June 23rd 12:00 Ireland vs Great Britain

June 25th 14:00 Ireland vs Malaysia

June 26th 14:00 Ireland vs China

June 28th 18:00 Ireland vs Belgium