
Football
Share
Published 13:09 16 Jan 2018 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
"There will be teams from Korea, Japan, Canada, USA, Hungary, and ourselves. It’s significant in that this is by far the furthest a team of this age has travelled."[caption id="attachment_147467" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
The Saints after arriving in Pyeongchang on Monday[/caption]
Ice hockey is not widely recognised as a major sport in Ireland. However, Guli - who has been the IIHA's president for nearly five years, says he is proud to be involved with such a dedicated group of people trying to promote the sport in Ireland.
"We are constantly referred to as a minority sport therefore we often get dismissed. I will tell you though, and this is for players and parents worldwide, we have a solid base of very dedicated people. Our teams, and some individual players, are travelling all over this country and the world to play the game."Travelling to Korea to play in the tournament is a remarkable accomplishment for the IIHA, which is short on resources and facilities. In fact, Anna Capcarrere, the sole female member of the Saints team heading to Korea, raised almost €400 for the trip by hosting a non-uniform day at her school, Lucan Community College. However, despite a lack of funding, the IIHA remains determined to make ice hockey a flourishing sport in Ireland.
Guli believes the tournament in Pyeongchang will be a great way of getting the kids to realise that there are exciting opportunities in Irish ice hockey as well as introducing them to a new culture while they take on some of the best players in their age group from countries across the world.
"With these opportunities come other opportunities for hockey," Guli added. "Our players really bond well on these trips. We have really seen the benefits of this off ice and at other events. Lastly, our kids really get a chance to see different parts of the world, meet other kids their ages and see the similarities. It’s educational for them. In a sporting, cultural and educational sense."You can follow the Saints' progress in Korea on the IIHA's Facebook and Twitter pages. There is also further information on the tournament and the team itself on the IIHA official website.
Football

Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 10th to 12th
Another whopper weekend! We are back again with the only TV guide you need for sport in Ireland. All the usuals are there – football, GAA and rugby – with some big games, but this weekend is all about the Aintree Grand National. So get your bets in, put the kettle on, and settle in! […]
Football
1 week ago
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 3rd to 6th
Another big weekend! After what was a relatively quiet weekend last week, with barely any football and relatively minor URC games, we are back with some serious action. The League of Ireland returns with some huge fixtures, the Champions Cup knockouts are here, and, of course, Limerick v Cork in the National League final. Enjoy […]
Football
3 weeks ago
Football
Football