IRISH HOCKEY IS reeling following the decisions of two players to withdraw from representing the green jersey and declare, instead, for Great Britain.
David Ames, 23, and Ian Sloan, 19, have announced their intentions to fight it out for selection with the England and Great Britain sides when they become eligible in two years.
The Cookstown duo, who represented Ireland at the Olympic qualifiers in Dublin in March 2012, are both playing the game in England.
They were not part of the Irish hockey squad that travelled to the Champions Challenge in Argentina in November, sparking fears that they could follow in the footsteps of fellow Ulstermen Iain Lewers and Mark Gleghorne.
A statement from the Irish Hockey Association read, “The IHA have been formally notified that Senior International players David Ames and Ian Sloan have declared to play for England and Great Britain and as result have withdrawn themselves from selection for the Ireland Senior Men’s Team.”
It concluded, “[We] are disappointed to lose both David and Ian but wish them both well in their future hockey careers.”
Ames and Sloan will have to wait until April 2015 before they can represent Great Britain following a three-year exclusionary period for players choosing to swap countries.
Tough decision
In a press release on behalf of Ames, the player states, “Having had a break from International hockey over the last number of months, I have made the decision to withdraw from representing Ireland and declare for England.
“It has been an extremely tough decision both in terms of a life choice and hockey choice, but one I feel at this point in time is the right thing for me to do.”
Ames adds, “I have many goals and aspirations for my hockey career that I want to try and achieve.
“The Olympics is a high ambition of mine, not just to play in, but to also challenge for medals. It is also my ambition to play in more high-level competitions such as the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and the Commonwealth Games, and in order to give myself this chance, now is the best time to declare for England.
It may seem a very selfish move but unfortunately competing at International level doesn’t last too long in a player’s life time and so to have more of an opportunity to compete at these high level events, would give me a sense of accomplishment in what I want to achieve in my short hockey career.
“I do not want to finish my career regretting not giving myself the best opportunity to play hockey at the highest level possible.”
Hopefully the trio make it! They are an integral part of our Six Nations squad. Keep it up lads!!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: lowe and Dan are part of the 6 nations squad but connors is nowhere near that squad. Hodnet, timoney, pendergast are all way ahead of him. Not to mention with conan going to 8 we have doris who can play 7 as can POM. Infact I’d rather see Scott penny get time for leinster than will.
@chris mcdonnell: I completely agree. I’d ate my own underpants if Connors is named tomorrow
@Niall Boyle: hopefully those pants are in better condition than the pair I wore on Sunday
@Niall Boyle: I’ll hold you to that
@chris mcdonnell: with the best will in the world POM cannot play 7 in the 6 Nations.
Hope they don’t rush Sheehan back this Saturday. 50 mins against the Stormers on the 25th of Jan and then into the 6 nations squad. Connors now needs to stay fit for the rest of the season if he wants to ever make an Ireland squad, at nearly 29 time is running out
Lowe is too slow. Osborne a better long term bet.
@conor carroll: Osbourne isn’t a wing, he can do the job but he’s a 12 or 15. Lowe being “slow” didn’t stop him being named in the world XV this year or being one of our best performing players.
@conor carroll: not on the wing he isnt,hes not a winger and it showed on sunday,great 12 and 15,lowe though offers far more on the left wing,breaks tackles,carries,big left boot and has vastly improved his defence,also always goes hunting for the ball and gets stuck in to mauls and excellent under the high ball,pace is not everything.
@conor carroll: Interesting statement. If you actually watched rugby you’d see that Lowe is probably quicker than Osborne in a foot race. Osborne has many, many strengths. Pace isn’t one of them.
@conor carroll: Nash is the pace merchant played all the 6 nations last year
Honestly, is Lowe still a starter for Leinster? I just really can’t see how you leave out Jamie Osborne even if he was rusty on the wing at the weekend, like his skill level for that try was ridiculous. He also has just a big left boot as Lowe.
@Eoin H: lowe is the left winger for both ireland and leinster.
@Eoin H: Osborne isn’t a winger and should only be playing there in a pinch. Lowe is also the better player generally right now
@Gary D: He definitely isn’t the better all round player generally, no way
@Eoin H: Well he has been a starter for the last 7.5 years. And he was a starter right up until his injury. Osborne is far far better utilised at 12 or 15. Let’s just play lads in their correct positions.
@Eoin H: I partially agree with you. Osbourne has an ability to hold on to passes that others would knock on and is too good to leave out of the team. Lowe is a try scoring machine as well though so not sure I’d leave him out either. I’d probably play Osbourne at 12 and leave Henshaw on the bench for impact