Glasgow here we come!
Glasgow here we come! This is the cry from the party of Banbridge Hockey Club players and supporters setting off this Thursday evening, Friday morning travelling to Scotland. Bann will be representing Ireland in the Eurohockey Club Champions Trophy 2016 event from 13th – 16th May 2016.
Bann qualified for this event as winners of the Irish Senior Cup last season. Bann, backed by Swallow Groupage, travel to Glasgow with a reduced squad due to exams and work commitments but will be hopeful of topping their pool that includes the club champions of Scotland (host club Kelburne), HC Rotwiess Wettingen from Switzerland and HC Minsk of Belarus. The other group has only three teams competing in it with SK Slavia Prague, Cardiff & Met and HC Bra.
More details are available on the Kelburne website: http://www.kelburne.com/euros and the official Euro Hockey website: https://eurohockey.altiusrt.com/competitions/42
The games will be streamed live online, giving extensive exposure locally, nationally and internationally.
Bann travel on Thursday and then open up their programme this Friday against HC Rotwiess Wettingen who some people will remember from their last encounter with Bann in the Czech republic two years ago.
Next up on the Saturday will be HC Minsk of Belarus who like Bann are experienced Euro campaigners. Bann then their round off their pool games with a clash with the host side Bromac Kelburne, and this is expected to be Bann’s toughest pool match. Their final game on Monday will be dictated by their finishing position in their pool but it would be a major surprise if Bann are not in the final match at the top of the pool.
Bann coach Mark Tumilty will have the services of the majority of his usual squad available.
The squad are delighted to have the company of approximately 25 supporters for the trip and their support will be much appreciated for Bann’s afternoon games. This will bring Bann’s season to a close and 4 victories would be a fitting end to a season that was a success on and off the pitch.
