Sport

Ireland set for four-game series with Rio rivals Canada

Hockey team faces Canada at Stormont on Thursday in the first of four matches

Craig Fulton will use the same 27-man panel for this series with this tournament marking the last set of fixtures before a reduction to 20 players takes place in the next 10 days or so. Photograph: Inpho
Craig Fulton will use the same 27-man panel for this series with this tournament marking the last set of fixtures before a reduction to 20 players takes place in the next 10 days or so. Photograph: Inpho
Stephen Findlater
Thu Jun 09 2016 - 08:51

Ireland's men face Rio group opponents Canada at Stormont Thursday evening in the first of four matches.

Craig Fulton will use the same 27-man panel for this series with this tournament marking the last set of fixtures before a reduction to 20 players takes place in the next 10 days or so.

It follows a successful four-game series against higher ranked Korea.

Canada will be one of the must-win ties for Ireland in August if they are to have a chance of claiming a quarter-final spot. The sides meet again on Friday in Stormont before switching to Pembroke in Dublin on Sunday, then to Trinity's ground on Santry Avenue on Tuesday.

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On the women’s side, Ireland meet Spain for a third time on Thursday afternoon with the final game Friday in Jordanstown.

Stephen Findlater

Stephen Findlater

Stephen Findlater is a contributor to The Irish Times writing about hockey