Head down to Havelock for Eugene's Olympic debut

You can watch Eugene's first Olympic match down at Banbridge HC.

Havelock Park will host a hockey fun day to build-up to Ireland’s big game against India, which the club will, of course, be showing live.

They will begin with some skills sessions for any budding stars aiming to be the next Eugene Magee.

Those will run from 12 noon until 2.30pm for children aged 6 up to 15 and the cost is £5 per child. That also includes a hot-dog, face-painting and entry to watch Ireland’s match, which begins at 3pm.

The last Ireland team to reach the Olympic Games in 1908. Included is Banbridge Hockey Club's Robert Lindsey Kennedy (top row, second right). Also included are William Ernest Graham (Monkstown Hockey Club), Walter Islay Hamilton Verschoyle-Campbell (Dublin University Hockey Team), Harold "Henry" Lawson Murphy (Three Rocks Rovers Hockey Club), Charles Frederick Power (Three Rocks Rovers Hockey Club), Richard George Stanhope Gregg (Three Rocks Rovers Hockey Club), Edward Percival Allman-Smith (Dublin University Hockey Team), Frank Lubbock Robinson (Malone Hockey Club / Belfast), Jack Peterson (Monkstown Hockey Club), Walter Ernest Peterson (Monkstown Hockey Club), Henry Joseph Brown (Dublin University Hockey Team) and Edward Peter Cowan Holmes (Cliftonville Hockey Club).

For all the older hockey fans, the barbecue will begin at 2.30pm. Entrance is £10, which includes food and also entry into the club’s raffle.

Great Britain’s opening game of the tournament will follow the Irish game. They take on Belgium with the match beginning at 4.30pm.

Everyone is welcome down to Havelock Park to watch both games and all are encouraged to wear green to get into the spirit of the Games for Eugene’s Ireland team.

BHC President Roger Martin said: “We are absolutely delighted to have an Olympic athlete as part of this club and to mark the occasion we have organised an Olympic themed Skills Day for kids, a BBQ and will then be screening the game live in the clubhouse.”

Getting to watch one of their own take part in the Olympic Games has been a long time in coming for Banbridge Hockey Club.

They have had one before - but not since 1908.

That was the last time Ireland qualified for the Olympic Games and they won a silver medal with the help of Bann’s own RL Kennedy.