Nickname: The Green Machine

Previous FIH Hockey Pro League placements: Debutants

Notable honours: Olympic silver medallists (1908), European bronze medallists (2015), 10th Place –Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 12th Place – FIH Men’s World Cup (1978, 1990), FIH Hockey Nations Cup silver medallists (2022), EuroHockey Championship II gold medallists (2005, 2009, 2023)

Having finished second to host nation South Africa at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2022, it seems that Ireland’s dreams of competing in this season’s FIH Hockey Pro League had been extinguished. The home favourites took a 4-3 victory over t he Green Machine in the competition final, gaining promotion to the 2023-24 FIH Pro League competition. However, South Africa’s decision to decline their Pro League ticket proved to be wonderful news for the Nations Cup runners up, who gladly accepted the invitation to pit themselves against the very best teams on the planet. Ireland will be greatly looking forward to showcasing their abilities this season, especially after their title winning performance at July’s EuroHockey Championship II on home turf in Dublin. Penalty corner expert Lee Cole scored nine times in five matches to help his team secure promotion back to the elite level EuroHockey Championship in 2025, with team captain Sean Murray and David Harte – who was named FIH Hockey Stars Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2015 and 2016 - being named as the tournament’s Best Player and Best Goalkeeper respectively.

This season, Ireland will take to the field for FIH Hockey Pro League ‘mini-tournaments’ in Bhubaneswar (IND), Rourkela (IND), Antwerp ( BEL) and London (ENG).

One to watch: Shane O’Donoghue. Having made over 200 international appearances and scored more than 100 goals, midfield dynamo Shane O’Donoghue has long been one of the Green Machine’s most consistently outstanding performers. Nominated for FIH Rising Star Award in 2015, O’Donoghue scored five times in five matches to help Ireland to a second place finish at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup South Africa 2022, a result which ultimately secured a berth in the season five of the FIH Hockey Pro League.