Hockey: Cookstown ready for challenge of Brazil national team

The Reds face the Brazilians arrived in Northern Ireland today (Wednesday) for a three week training camp. They will be based at the University of Ulster and Ulster Hockey will be facilitating games throughout their time in the country.

Cookstown coach, Michael Haycock, said: “This should be a great evening of hockey at Steelweld Park. We have purposely put it on after our mini hockey to try and encourage our youngest members to stay around and watch some international hockey.

“Our lads are really looking forward to the game against athletes trying to qualify as hosts for the Olympics.”

Cookstown come into the game off the back of a sterling victory over Annadale on Monday at a very wet and windy Steelweld Park.

The 3-1 win secured third spot in the Ulster Premier League despite Instonians and Annadale having games in hand.

The national team coached by Claudio Rocha must be among the top 30 in the ranking to qualify for their home games. Currently, the team sit at number 33.

The game gets underway at Steelweld Park at 8pm on Thursday evening. Parking for the game will be via entrance to Cookstown High School. The Leisure Centre entrance will not be open.