Introducing David Harte, a 36-year-old seasoned athlete with 242 caps to his name. Representing SV Kampong, a popular Dutch club, he has previously competed in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Acclaimed as the world’s best goalkeeper in 2015 and 2016, Harte hails from Kinsale and is renowned in Irish sports. When Ireland took part in the Rio games, it marked their hockey team’s Olympics debut, led by Harte. His accolades include victories in the Irish Senior Cup with Pembroke and Cork Harlequins, as well as tripling winners of the Dutch Hoofdklasse. Hailing from a sports-rich family, his father, Kieran, was a member of the 1970s Tyrone GAA team, and he is a first cousin to Micky Harte. His twin, Conor, not only played for the national team but also had a professional stint with David at Dabang Mumbai.
Next on the list is John McKee, a 27-year-old player boasting of 102 caps. A member of Banbridge, he has yet to appear in the Olympic Games. McKee, who has notched up more than a hundred caps for Ireland, has emerged victorious in the Irish Senior Cup thrice with his club. He travels to the French capital after a heartbreaking loss to Canada in Vancouver that resulted in missed qualification for Tokyo. Following a contentious penalty against Ireland, the team’s dreams were shattered. However, the banker by day who hails from Newry has achieved glory in the Euro Hockey Championship II and World League II. His sibling, Katie, also shares his passion for hockey and has represented Ireland. Making his debut in 2015, McKee has now been in the game for nearly ten years.
Joining them is Daragh Walsh, aged 26 with 104 caps. Based in Antwerp and playing for Braxgata HC, in the Belgian Hockey League, this professional player has put behind the busted Vancouver goal. The ex- Wesley College and Trinity pupil marked his initiation into Irish hockey in 2017 against Pakistan. He’s clinched gold at the 2023 EuroHockey Championship II and silver at the 2018–19 FIH Series Finals in Le Touquet. He also represented Ireland at the 16 team FIH World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India. Initially associated with Three Rock Rovers, Walsh presently plays in Antwerp.
Lastly, 23-year-old Ben Johnson completes our lineup. With 38 caps under his belt, he is a player for Three Rock Rovers and is yet to get his first taste of the Olympic Games.
In the lead-up to his Paris trip, the Dublin native has encountered several challenges, including undergoing two knee surgeries in the past three years. This member of the Three Rock Rovers captained Newtown school’s hockey team in Waterford, taking them to their inaugural All-Ireland title. He then went on to make his Irish debut against Italy in 2022. His father Craig and his grandfather Roger, both represented Ireland at the youth and school levels, displaying the family’s long-standing bond with the sport. Currently working as a sustainability engineer, he holds the position of a midfielder and forward but is the least experienced player making the trip.
Lee Cole
Age: 29
Caps: 124
Club: Monkstown HC
Previous Games: None
Also in his early days, being an underage cricketer in Ireland, Lee Cole belongs to a revered hockey lineage. His brood includes his brother Stephen, an international player, while both his father David and his uncle Johnathan represented Ireland at under-21 and senior levels. Missing the Tokyo Olympics qualification was a significant disappointment for Lee. Earlier, during his training years, he was under the coaching of Graham Shaw, who led the Irish women’s hockey team to the World Cup finals in 2018. As a seasoned defender with considerable international experience, Lee departs as one of the most experienced players in the team.
Kyle Marshall
Age: 26
Caps: 52
Club: Old Georgians
Previous Games: None
Kyle Marshall, who hails from Market Hill, lists the victory over Korea, qualifying them for Paris, as his most notable sports achievement. His previous attempts had fallen short, making this triumph particularly sweet. His experience with the Banbridge club has been transformative, having won the Irish Senior Cup under the guidance of Eugene Magee, one of Ireland’s ace players. Working as a data analyst, Kyle has participated in the Championship and Nations Cup in Eurohockey. A thumb injury in the qualifiers benched him for three months, but he has returned fully fit and ready for the initial game against Belgium.
Jeremy Duncan
Age: 27
Caps: 117
Club: Monkstown
Previous Games: None
Duncan, a graduate from Kilkenny College, is no stranger to the game of hockey. Having played for UCD and Monkstown in Dublin, his experiences span across important tournaments such as the Nations Cup, EuroHockey Championship, and notably, the World League where Ireland made their debut. Furthermore, Duncan was a member of the Herakles club in Belgium, the champions of the Belgian league in 2018. His international pursuits in the last six months have been intense but essential training for future challenges, including the event in Paris. Succeeding his scholarship at UCD, Duncan now functions as a physiotherapist and a clinic manager at DBC Sports Medicine Clinic.
Introducing Ben Walker, a 25-year-old who has been capped 92 times. Born in South Dublin, Walker completed his studies at St Andrews College and St Andrews College before embarking on a professional hockey career in Belgium. Currently, Walker is engaged in a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Leuven. He has made his mark in the World League and the EuroHockey Championships whilst simultaneously winning Irish championships and cups with Dublin’s Three Rock Rovers. Walker profoundly admires Brian O’Driscoll and aims to follow in his footsteps in Paris.
Matty Nelson, aged 26, is an indomitable player who has helped usher Ireland towards Olympic qualification with his decisive goal against South Korea. As well as his 87 caps, Nelson is also a PE teacher and played for Fremantle in the Australian league. His journey to Paris has been rewarding, albeit difficult, testifying the importance of resilience and hard work.
Finally, 29-year-old Michael Robson, with 162 caps under his belt and experience playing for Annadale, is no stranger to the pressures of international tournaments. In the 2016 games, Robson served as a travelling reserve, further bolstering his wealth of experience.
Robson, originally from Holywood, Co Down, was a substitute for Ireland’s first-ever Olympic qualified team in Rio 2016 but has since established his prominent role in the team, celebrating his 150th cap in February. Alongside his brother Callum and fellow international player, he took his footballing skills to the German league, playing for Crefelder before rejoining Annadale. Even though he is a professional accountant, he made his debut in Irish football a decade ago.
Another player, Nick Page, aged 27 having 53 caps, is currently a member of the Oxted, Surrey club. This London-born player was on England’s national team from under-16 through under-21, and also played for Britain’s under-23 side before being enlisted by Ireland in the 2021 summer. He stated that the road to Paris was demanding with several setbacks and victories, but being chosen was a moment of absolute joy for him. He stressed that he wouldn’t change anything about his journey despite injuries and challenges, and he would gladly repeat it.
Thirdly, Peter Brown, aged 30 with 43 caps is part of the Banbridge club. Brown, a seasoned player who has received numerous accolades in domestic hockey, has had an intermittent international career since his first senior game 11 years ago. However, he is now a dedicated part of the team and anticipates his Olympic debut. He stated that his team has worked their hardest and that their training has been intensive. Despite having to make numerous sacrifices, they managed to achieve a noteworthy performance in the January qualification tournament, making their debut against elite nations in the Pro League. The notion of representing his country at the Olympics fills him with pride.
The last player, Peter McKibbin, aged 27 with 48 caps, plays for the Lisnagarvey club.
Coming from Comber, Co Down, McKibbin is one of eight Ulster representatives within the team. Previously a professional player with Grossflottbeker in the German league, he has returned to perform for his home team, Lisnagarvey. Employed with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, he enjoyed his premier Irish senior appearance in 2019. Despite facing hurdles on his journey to Paris, the experience brings him immense joy as he prepares to fulfil his childhood dream of taking part in the Olympics.
Sean Murray, a 27-year-old player, has earned 140 caps. A member of the Gantoise Hockey Club, he did not participate in any previous games. He kicked off his career with Lisnagarvey which led him to professional play in Europe by 2018. Initially, he was affiliated with Rotterdam then relocated to Belgium where he represented Leuven prior to making his move to Gantoise in Ghent. For Murray, representing Ireland, his loved ones, and his coaches on an Olympic stage has been a motivating factor throughout his journey.
At the age of 31, Shane O’Donoghue has compiled 234 caps and plays for the Glenanne club. He is one of the rare players from the Rio 2016 squad and holds the honour of being the leading scorer in Ireland, reaching his impressive 100 goal record in 2019. After four professional seasons in Belgium, he returned to his local club, Glenanne. His crucial goal in the 4-3 victory against South Korea earlier this year guaranteed Ireland’s place in Paris. Excited and optimistic, O’Donoghue is eager to put his best effort forth in Paris.
Tim Cross, aged 33 and playing for Hampstead & Westminster HC, has had no previous games and holds 61 caps.
Post securing eight accolades for his homeland Australia, Cross ventured to Europe aiming to compete in the Dutch league, eventually adopting loyalty towards Ireland and debuted at a senior level in 2019. After a period spent playing for Annandale, this physical education instructor affiliated with Hampstead and Westminster, in the Premier Division of England, the preceding year. “I’m overwhelmed by a cocktail of anticipation and thrill as I look ahead towards Paris, this is a remarkable opportunity and I am primed to face the world’s best players. I’m quivering in anticipation to venture onto our sport’s grandest platform,” he stated.