Irish chiefs clear Lewers for early GB switch

FORMER Irish international Iain Lewers will be able to begin his new career with Great Britain six weeks ahead of schedule. The Irish Hockey Association’s appeal commission has confirmed they have approved Lewers’ application for early release from his international “wilderness” period.

Belfast native Lewers, 27, withdrew from the Irish national side to make himself eligible for Great Britain in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Lewers claimed he owed Irish hockey nothing after winning 82 caps, citing a belief that Ireland could not achieve Olympic qualification due to major structural flaws.