Banbridge confirmed in Champions Challenge 1

Friday 21st June

Eurohockey have confirmed that Banbridge will play in the 2014 Champions Challenge I section of European club hockey next season.    Banbridge qualified through finishing runners up in the 2012-13 Irish Hockey League. 

In previous seasons, the winner of the IHL qualified for the top European Hockey League competition while the runners up played in the European Trophy however, Ireland unfortunately slipped down their European rankings in men’s hockey and lost their place in the prestigious EHL competition for 2014.  They now have one slot in the Trophy and one slot in the Champions Challenge I.

Banbridge compete in the 2014 Challenge I against teams from Croatia, Gibraltar, Czech Republic, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Switzerland while Monkstown, as 2013 IHL winners, will compete in the 2014 Trophy against teams from Scotland, Italy, Wales, Austria, the Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

While the Challenge I competition is likely to take place in May 2014, there is no further detail available on where this will be held.

For more information on the European Club Competition for 2014, click here.