Six Bann lads to take on the Argies

The first test will take place at the National Hockey Stadium at UCD this evening (Wednesday - pass-back 7.30pm) with Matthew Bell, Drew Carlisle, Eugene Magee, Owen Magee, Johnny McKee and Bruce McCandless all hoping to get pitch-time.

Ireland will then play two further tests against the world number six side at Pembroke on Friday (7.45pm) and Saturday (6pm) as they continue to the Road to Rio.

The Green Machine, including their Banbridge stars, are hoping for an Australian win in the upcoming Oceania Championships that would see Ireland into the 2016 Olympics.

And in the hope that happens, the six Bann lads will be doing all they can to impress the coach ahead of the squad selection.

“We are looking forward to playing Argentina in a three match series,” said Ireland coach Ned Fulton.

“It comes at just the right time as the new EY Hockey League has started and we start training again as a National squad. We will be using a bigger squad of players so plenty of opportunity for all to compete for places in the training squad.

“Argentina will be really tough opposition and we look forward to challenging ourselves once again against another top six team in world hockey.”

As a result of the international matches, Banbridge men’s first team will not feature until Saturday 31st October, when they travel to UCD to begin their defence of the Irish Senior Cup.