Four Nations Tournament announced
December 11, 2013
International tournament taking place in Mossley, Ulster in February 2014. Ireland will go head to head with Germany, Scotland and England from Tuesday 11th to Saturday 15th February (match schedule to be confirmed) at the grounds in Mossley. Funding for the tournament has been secured by Irish and Ulster Hockey from both Sport Northern Ireland and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Fraser Agnew commented “I am delighted to see such a prestigious event coming to the Borough. Newtownabbey has a longstanding reputation for high profile sport and events of this kind will help to strengthen this reputation. Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Sport Development section has a long and successful partnership with Ulster hockey and Mossley Hockey Club and we’re looking forward to the legacy this international event will bring to the Borough and ulster hockey.â€
Sport Northern Ireland’s Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown, welcomed the forthcoming event saying; “I am delighted that Sport Northern Ireland is supporting this event through the International Sports Events programme, and we look forward to welcoming the visiting teams including top nations Germany and England. Hosting this event will enable our U21 International squad to participate in an international event, gaining valuable international match practice as they prepare for future international competition, and which will assist their development at elite level. The quality of the participating teams will ensure a competitive and exciting event for athletes and spectators alike.â€
Commenting on the announcement of the event Irish Hockey CEO Mike Heskin recognised the opportunity that both Sport Northern Ireland and Newtownabbey Borough Council have afforded to the sport with this funding “This tournament would not be taking place without the funding received by both Sport Northern Ireland and Newtownabbey Borough Council and for that we are grateful for their support. Both Ulster Hockey and ourselves are delighted that we can bring this quality of competition to the fine grounds of Mossley Hockey Club and showcase some of our young stars while providing them with top quality opposition.â€
Angela Platt from Ulster Hockey was also keen to express her gratitude “We are extremely grateful to Sport Northern Ireland for their funding which makes this quality international event possible. Sport Northern Ireland’s financial support enables us to enhance the development of our U21 International Players through exposure to competition against some of the top nations in European Hockey. This event also gives us an opportunity to showcase Men’s International Hockey within Ulster and enables the public to see some of the very best players from these four nations in action. Our delivery Partners, Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mossley Hockey Club, have also been crucial in our successful funding submission to make this event happen and we continue to work on building these partnerships for the future. We look forward to welcoming these nations to Ulster in February and look forward to some top quality hockey.â€
Ireland’s U21 boys coach Jonny Caren was very excited about the upcoming event “I am extremely delighted to have this opportunity to have a four nations tournament against some of Europe’s top teams being hosted here in Belfast, in preparation for our European B Division tournament in Portugal this summer. This current squad of players has huge potential over the coming yearsI personally am excited to be working with the Under21 program in preparing them both for competition and hopefully a future on the senior international hockey stage working towards Rio in 2016.â€
The Irish U21 training squad will come together in January for a training weekend, the squad has been selected on the basis of performances on last year’s U21 interpros, and club matches. The final selection for the team will be made post the 2014 U21 Interpros taking place over the 8th & 9th February.
NAME CLUB PROVINCE
1 | Ben Cosgrove | Grove Menzieshill | ULSTER |
2 | Ben McMillan | Mossley | ULSTER |
3 | David Cole | Monkstown | LEINSTER |
4 | David Watkins | UCD | LEINSTER |
5 | Gary Wilkinson | UCC | MUNSTER |
6 | Gavin Adams | Beeston | ULSTER |
7 | Harry Spain | Pembroke | LEINSTER |
8 | James Cox | Annadale | ULSTER |
9 | Jeremy Duncan | UCD | LEINSTER |
10 | Johnny McKee | Banbridge | ULSTER |
11 | Josh Moffett | Banbridge | ULSTER |
12 | Kirk Shimmins | UCD | LEINSTER |
13 | Lee Cole | Monkstown | LEINSTER |
14 | Mark Ingram | Pembroke | LEINSTER |
15 | Mark Loughrey | Pembroke | LEINSTER |
16 | Mark Willis | Leeds | ULSTER |
17 | Matthew Bell | Banbridge | ULSTER |
18 | Matthew Rollins | Cookstown | ULSTER |
19 | Michael Robson | Annadale | ULSTER |
20 | Neal Glassy | Mossley | ULSTER |
21 | Neil Gilmour | Portadown | ULSTER |
22 | Nick Burns | UCD | MUNSTER |
23 | Owen Magee | Banbridge | ULSTER |
24 | Peter Brown | UCD | ULSTER |
25 | Ravin Nair | UCD | LEINSTER |
26 | Ross Canning | UCD | LEINSTER |
27 | Shane Madeley | Three Rock Rovers | LEINSTER |
