As Irish hockey puts to bed one of the most memorable years in its history, the men’s national team will hope to break even more new ground in 2016.

While Ireland’s men are still riding high on the back of Olympic qualification, the same can’t be said of South Africa.

David Harte says the Olympic qualifying process for men’s hockey gives “perceived lower ranked teams” more of an opportunity of making it to Rio De Janeiro.

Ireland coach Craig Fulton will be taking on some familiar faces this afternoon as his men’s senior team play South Africa on day one of the London Cup.