Ireland seal historic spot in Rio 2016 hockey tournament

Ireland have secured a place in the Rio 2016 Olympic hockey tournament ©Getty Images

Ireland’s men’s hockey team will compete at the Olympic Games for the first time in more than a century after they secured their spot at Rio 2016 by virtue of Australia beating New Zealand in the Oceania Cup final.

The Australians’ 3-2 victory in Stratford, New Zealand opened up another qualification spot for next year’s Games as the victors had already qualified through the Hockey World League and didn't need to rely on clinching the berth through the continental competition.

An extra place was awarded to the World League, and this was snapped up by the Irish team thanks to their fifth-place finish at the semi-final event in Antwerp in July.

They had given themselves every chance of booking their place at Rio 2016 with a 4-1 hammering of Malaysia in the fifth-place play-off at the competition in the summer, which ensured they would end up as the highest-ranked team from the World League not to have qualified.

“It probably hasn't sunk in yet but we're over the moon,” Ireland coach Craig Fulton said.

“It's testament to what the guys have achieved this year on and off the field.”

Ireland’s men’s hockey team will also become the first to represent their nation in a team sport at the Olympics since the 1948 Games in London.

Ireland's men's hockey team will compete at the Olympic Games for the first time in 100 years at Rio 2016 — Ireland's men's hockey team will compete at the Olympic Games for the first time in more than 100 years at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Their qualification for Rio 2016 follows their superb display at the recent EuroHockey Championships, held on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, where they claimed their first-ever medal with a 4-2 success over hosts England in the clash for bronze.

Ireland are the 11th team to book their Rio 2016 place in the men’s hockey tournament, with only one spot at the event remaining, which will be handed to the winner of the ongoing African Hockey Championships in Johannesburg.

They will join hosts Brazil, Asian Games champions India, Olympic gold medallists Germany, Canada, Spain, Belgium, Britain, Argentina, European champions The Netherlands and Australia at the event in the Brazilian city.

Ireland took home two silvers in their last Olympic hockey performance at the 1908 Games in London.