Cork cousins go the distance to make Ireland World Cup squad

Outside of hockey and seeing each other at Christmas, the cousins were not particularly tight, but the sport has brought them closer recently. At least twice a week for the last year, they have travelled to training sessions in Dublin and Banbridge.

Sam Dale, captain Bandon Grammar School with possession in the So Hockey Munster Boys Senior A Cup final. Picture: Larry Cummins

For the past year, Cork cousins Sam Dale and Jamie Horgan had quietly dreamed of making the Ireland U21 hockey squad for the Junior World Cup.

Earlier this month, the possibility became reality when they were named in the 18-man squad for the tournament in India. They flew out last week. Ireland will play Canada on Friday, South Africa on Saturday and Germany on Monday in the pool stage.