Ulster's hockey loyalties split for Olympic festivities

Paul (left) and Mark Gleghorne (right) will be pulling on different coloured jerseys again this weekend. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Brothers Paul and Mark Gleghorne have both got their expected call-ups to the Games, but they won’t be lining up together.

Paul is part of Ireland’s Green Machine while Mark will be bidding to help Team GB to gold.

Both are set to make their Olympic debuts. Mark had made the switch to Team GB in time for the 2012 Games but he was forced to sit out due to plantar fasciitis - a disorder that causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot.

The older brother did return in time to grab a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

That meant it was first blood to Mark but last year, Paul snatched back bragging rights as he and his Ireland squad denied Team GB in one of the biggest ever results for Irish hockey.

That was when they overcame Mark’s England team 4-2 to take bronze at the EuroHockey Championships.

That day, Mark was forced to go into goals in the closing stages while Paul was player of the match.

Mark made the switch to GB back in 2009, the same year that Paul made his Ireland debut.

He’s not the only Ulsterman to change his colours.

In fact, he’s joined by three others in GB’s Olympic squad.

Alongside him is 32 year-old Belfast man Iain Lewers.

The former Annadale star is full of experience, having played professional hockey in England, the Netherlands and India. He was named the Hockey Writers’ Club UK Player of the Year for 2014 as he helped England to that Commonwealth bronze.

Also in the squad are Cookstown duo Ian Sloan and David Ames. Two of Ulster’s brightest young talents, the pair helped Ireland to the brink of Olympic qualification for the 2012 Games. However, last gasp heartache at the hands of Korea ended the pair’s Ireland stint and both shifted allegiances to Great Britain.

They made their debuts last year, after waiting the required three years from their final Ireland appearance.

Ulster’s interest in the Ireland squad is also huge. Alongside Paul and Eugene Magee are Lisnagarvey’s Jonny Bell and Mikey Watt.

Annadale’s new player/coach Peter Caruth is in the squad, as are Antrim man John Jackson and Bangor’s Chris Cargo.

Named as Travelling Reserves are Timmy Cockram and Michael Robson.

So should Great Britain or Ireland claim success in Rio, Ulster will have played a significant part - nobody more so than the Gleghorne household.