Destination Rio

Garvey Captain Jonny Bell says his selection to the Irish Men’s squad bound for the Olympic Games later this month is a ‘massive privilege’.

Joining Bell will be Paul Gleghorne, Mikie Watt - who will return to England next season - and veteran Timmy Cockram, who just missed out on the main squad and will be a travelling reserve at the games.

When asked how he was feeling after the news was offically released, Bell said he was ‘pretty good’.

“I sort of knew over the weekend, but to finally see it on paper, it’s a pretty special feeling,” he commented.

“To finally get selected and thankfully get the good news, it’s nice to tell family and friends, teammates, colleagues,

“I think everybody feels ownership of it in supporting you to get there, so they are all delighted.”

Coach Craig Fulton announced his squad on Monday and Bell says it’s an ‘honour’ to be heading to Rio.

“For hockey players it’s the pinnacle (to get to the Olympics). I never dreamt of it,” Bell added. “Hockey and Olympics, I wouldn’t put the two together. It had never been done since 1908. I didn’t dream of it, because I didn’t think it could become a reality.

“Five to ten years ago when I got into the men’s set-up I set it as a dream; to have achieved that and been selected is a massive privilege and an honour.”

However, despite the delight of the 16-man squad, plus three travelling reserves, there were others who just missed out on selection, when the squad was cut from 21 to 16.

“Spare a thought for the guys who didn’t make it,” Bell added. “It has been a squad effort and has been achieved by the hard work of all 28 players.

“Those players helped get the squad to the level it’s at now.

“All players involved can be proud,” he said.

The Ireland team travels to Buenos Aires on 19 July for several matches, before travel ling onto Rio at the end of the month, so there will be plenty of hockey played before the games begin.That will be an important preparation phase and will get us in the best condition possible before we play India in our opener.”

Bell stated.

Whilst Ireland’s men have been handed a tough draw in the Olympic Games group stages, Jonny Bell says the Green Machine have to ‘play to the best of our ability’ to have any chance of progressing from the group.

Ireland will face four current world level title holders in Pool B in Rio.

They have been placed in a group with reigning champions Germany – currently world number three – European winners the Netherlands (second), Pan-American champions Argentina (sixth) and Asian Cup holders India (fifth). Canada (15th) complete the six-team group.

Craig Fulton’s side are the 10th rated side in the competition but will certainly target the games against the Canadians – whom they beat comfortably in February – and India as must-win ties and then take their chances of an upset against the big three.

“There are no easy, straightforward games,” said Bell. “We have to play to the best of our ability to be in with a chance.

“We have beaten teams ranked above us and we will take confidence from Valenica.”

And will the heat in Rio be a factor for the men from the Emerald Isle?

“I haven’t been there before, but I’ve played in the heat before,” Bell commented. “It will be in the mid twenties, but I’ve played in 90% humidity and 40 degrees before, so that makes the 20’s more bearable.

“We’ll be there ahead of the games, so we can get comfortable with being uncomfortable, as they say.”

Reacting to the news of the squad announcement and the success for Lisnagarvey players, Lisnagarvey Hockey Club Chairman Mark Murray said their selection was ‘the culmination of sustained excellence over a number of years’.

Mr Murray commented: “It is the realisation of a lifetimes ambition for these players to go to the Olympics. This is the culmination of sustained excellence over a number of years and hopefully will be a proud moment for the players and their families as they represent Ireland in Rio. It has been a long wait to qualify.

“It’s great to see club captain Jonny Bell making the selection as he is a great role model for the younger players at the club both on and off the pitch.

“Timmy Cockram has been chasing his Olympic dream for over ten years, so it is agonising for him to miss the main squad by so little.

“It’s a big achievement to even be in the frame of an Olympic place but I suspect that is hard to see with the squad announcement.

“Given the physical demands of international hockey things may yet change but I know that first and foremost Tim would want the Irish team to be successful in Rio.

“Paul Gleghorne is a more recent addition to the Garvey ranks but his contribution has already been significant. He has been a stalwart of the Ireland team for many years and fully deserves his recognition and selection.

“Mention must also be made of Michael Watt as although he returns to England after the Olympics we as a club were very happy to accommodate him and help him make the Rio squad. Hopefully Michael will look back at his time at Garvey with fond memories.

“As a club we are very proud of all of them and the wider squad too. As passionate supporters of Irish Hockey we hope they play to their potential and enjoy this historic opportunity.”