Delight for Tumilty as Banbridge qualify for KO16

Ireland will have two teams in the last 16 of the Euro Hockey League for the first time since 2011 after Banbridge performed miracles in front of a rapturous home crowd this weekend.

Mark Tumilty’s side defeated leading French outfit Saint Germain 2-0 on Saturday before twice coming from behind to snatch a 3-3 draw with heavily fancied Belgian side Royal Leopold to progress in front of over 2,500 fans at Havelock Park yesterday as Ireland hosted the EHL for the first time.

It means they’ll join Irish champions Lisnagarvey in the KO16 round next Easter, with Tumilty delighted with yet another highlight to an incredible year for the sport in Ireland.