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Ireland qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 1908. James Crombie/INPHO
The green machine

Ireland are now one of the 10 best hockey teams in the world after the Rio Olympics

Craig Fulton’s side are one of the big movers in the latest world rankings.

THE IRISH MEN’S hockey team have climbed inside the top ten of the world rankings for the first time on the back of their memorable campaign at the Rio Olympics.

Craig Fulton’s side move up two places to 10th in the latest International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings, overtaking Korea and Pakistan.

Ireland claimed a first Olympic victory in 108 years with a 4-2 win over Canada before agonisingly falling short of qualifying for the quarter-finals after a narrow defeat to Argentina.

The South American outfit, who were the gold medal winners, have moved up five places to second in the standings, another indication of the level of Ireland’s performances during their Group B campaign.

The Green Machine now sit in their highest-ever position since the introduction of the ranking system back in 2003. At that point, Ireland were ranked 23rd in the world.

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13 years later and Irish hockey is riding the crest of a wave after the team demonstrated its credentials on the world stage and positioned themselves in the sporting mainstream.

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