Ireland men qualify for Rio Olympics 2016, first Irish hockey team to take part in Olympic Games since 1908

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Ireland men have qualified for the hockey event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Press release stated:

It marks the first time in over 100 years since an Irish hockey team participated in an Olympic Games, with their men picking up the silver medals in the inaugural Olympic hockey event which took place in London, England in 1908.

Ireland qualified after Australia defeated New Zealand 3-2 in the Oceania Cup final which took place on Sunday 25 October.

As a result, this opened up a further qualification spot after Australia were declared Oceania continental champions, which Ireland secure as the team who ranked highest at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals not already qualified.

Ireland finished fifth at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp, Belgium earlier this summer and become the eleventh men’s team to qualify for Rio 2016.

They join Oceania champions Australia, India who qualified as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions, Netherlands as European champions and Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Canada and Spain through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals. Brazil men also confirmed their place at Rio 2016 after satisfying the host nation participation criteria established by IOC and FIH.

The remaining Olympic berth (men) will not be finalised until after the African Hockey Championships, which take place from 23 October to 1 November 2015.

Teams qualified so far for Rio Olympics 2016

Brazil (Host Nation)
India (Asian Games Champions)
Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Canada, Spain and Ireland (Hockey World League Semi-Finals)
Argentina (Pan Am Games champions)
Netherlands (European champions)
Australia (Oceania champions)