David Harte relishing visit by Euro champs Holland to Cork

International hockey will come to Cork for the first time in eight years with a visit by European champions the Netherlands in early July, as preparations ramp up for Ireland’s first Olympic challenge in over a century.

It means a homecoming for goalkeeper David Harte, from Kinsale, who has not played in Munster in any competitive shape or form in six years, the last time resulting in a 2-1 win for Pembroke against Cork C of I in the old Irish Hockey League.

“It should be a fantastic experience,” Harte said of the event, which take place at the Mardyke on July 4 and 6.