Ireland will do everything to achieve Olympic dream, declares Cliodhna Sargent

Cliodhna Sargent says Ireland will again put their bodies on the line today as they bid to realise their Olympics dreams.

Ireland haven’t qualified for the Olympics in a team sport since 1948 and neither of the country’s hockey teams have ever made it to a Games, but victory over China in Valencia this morning (10.30am, Sky Sports 1) will change all that.

That would guarantee Ireland a top four place in the 10-team competition. Currently, there are three automatic tickets to Rio in 2016 on offer here. But permutations from the other qualifying route, the continental championships, mean that up to six sides could earn an Olympic berth from Valencia, and a top four finish should be enough.