Olympic lure sparks fears Ulster starlets may opt for Britain

CONCERN is growing within Irish hockey circles that talented young Ulster-based players may be lost to Great Britain.

An item posted on the website of the Ulster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association (IHA) this week has sparked concerns that the northern province’s young players are being encouraged to follow the lead of former Irish international Iain Lewers in declaring for Great Britain.

The website item, headlined ‘Beijing may be over, but London 2012 beckons for Ulster’s U18’, outlines the northern province’s participation in an U18 tournament in front of Great Britain selectors scouting for the 2012 Olympics.