Ireland Hockey: 'We're all buzzing to get going' - Ireland set for Pro League debut

Ireland will make their Pro League debut in India

Ireland hockey captain Sean Murray believes their first season in the FIH Pro League will provide the perfect preparation for the Olympics in Paris.

It's only three weeks since they clinched qualification for the Games this summer and now Murray and the squad find themselves in Bhubaneswar.

They are about to take, what they hope, will be a giant step for Irish hockey, in India.

The Pro League features the top eight countries in the world rankings.

The winners of the Nations Cup also gain promotion to join them in a tournament that is played over almost nine months.

Ireland finished runners-up in the Nations Cup, but gained their Pro League place when South Africa withdrew.

To cut down on travel, the competition is played in a series of mini-tournaments.

Ireland will face the Netherlands in the opening game on Saturday followed by Australia, Spain and India in the first series in Bhubaneswar.

The sides then relocate to Rourkela, also in India, and recommence the competition later in February.

Ireland will get to play Belgium, Argentina, Germany and Great Britain in future rounds which will take place in May, in Belgium, and in June at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London.

"We're all buzzing to get going and really really excited to get to India.

"You know India is a fantastic place to play hockey anyway, but against the top teams in the world I think it'll be a great test for ourselves and we're really looking forward to it," explained Murray.

"It's going to be vital for the months ahead leading up to Paris to be able to prep against these top teams and that will put us in a good place for the Olympic Games."

Can Ireland cause an upset or two?

Ireland are the rank outsiders and are expected to finish bottom and be relegated after only one season.

However, it means they have nothing to lose with the obvious goal to try and maintain their Pro League status.

"I think we're the lowest ranked team in it, but sometimes you know that underdog mentality is good for us. We can play free and we can play up to those teams," said Murray, who plays his club hockey for Gantoise in Belgium.

"It'll be a big test, of course. It'll be tough and we're probably expecting to lose some games, but it's all about building and learning from them and getting better and better through each game."

It's already been an exciting few weeks for the Ireland squad with qualification for the Olympics confirmed after a thrilling 4-3 win over Korea in Valencia.

However, there hasn't been a lot of time to process what was a huge accomplishment.

Murray reflected, "I think it's still kind of a little bit surreal to be honest, definitely has sunk in a little bit more and it's just a very exciting time.

"I think we set out goals before Valencia and obviously the main one being to qualify, but also little minor goals in between and and we achieved them.

"I think you saw in a lot of the games it was backs against the wall but seeing the game out when you're ahead is really important and it'll be very important in the months ahead leading up to the Olympics."

Murray will captain Ireland against the Netherlands in their first Pro League game

Since the inception of the Pro League seven years ago, the question has been hanging in the air about how much benefit would there be for Ireland playing in it.

Initial results may not look good, but will it raise the bar in performance standards and close the gap to the bigger nations and in turn, make Ireland more competitive when it comes to the Olympics?

From this weekend that question will begin to be answered and Murray believes the response will be, yes.

"I think it's massive for us. I think we don't often get to test ourselves against the top teams in the world, especially if you don't make the major tournaments.

"You typically don't get to play the Dutch, who don't like to play any other teams outside the top four, so it's a big chance to play against these teams and learn from them."

He added: "We're always learning, we're quite a young group across the whole team and I think it's going to be a fantastic opportunity to learn and progress and move forward throughout the year.

"We're almost expected to lose, but at the same time, it's a game of hockey and you know anyone can win and I think we can get at those teams. We know we can compete with any team in the world."

Ireland's Pro league Fixtures

(Bhubaneswar Series - Start times GMT)

February 10 - Ireland v Netherlands 12:00

February 13 - Australia v Ireland 12:00

February 15 - Spain v Ireland 12:00

February 16 - India v Ireland 14:00

(Rourkela Series)

February 19 - Ireland v Netherlands 12:00

February 22 - Ireland v Australia 12:00

February 24 - Spain v Ireland 12:00

February 25 - India v Ireland 14:00