Ireland men's national water polo team
Encyclopedia
Ireland is an international men's water polo
team representing the island of Ireland
. It is organised by the Irish Water Polo Association (IWPA), which is affiliated to Swim Ireland
.
s in the British Isles
, including at seaside resorts near Dublin and Belfast
. The four Home Nations
— England
, Ireland, Scotland
, and Wales
— contested regular internationals against each other. Ireland were often outclassed, losing every match against England from 1895 to 1910. However, Noel Purcell from Dublin won a gold medal on the Great Britain team
at the 1920 Olympic water polo tournament
.
In 1922, the Irish Free State
seceded from the United Kingdom
and the Olympic Council of Ireland
joined the International Olympic Committee
. Purcell captained Ireland at the 1924 Olympics
. Ireland had a bye in the first round when Austria
pulled out. In the second round, they lost 4–2 against Czechoslovakia
. At the 1924 Tailteann Games
, Ireland beat a team representing England.
In the 1928 Olympic tournament
, Ireland lost its only match 11–1 to Belgium
. The expense of travel to Los Angeles
ruled out participating in the 1932 tournament
, and Ireland boycotted the 1936 Games in a dispute over Northern Ireland
.
Ireland has not competed in the Olympics since 1928, and has never qualified for the World Championships. Although Home International matches continued into the 1960s, the transition to higher-specification indoor swimming pool
s was long delayed in Ireland. The outdoor sea baths at Clontarf
and Blackrock fell into disuse. The IWPA was established in 1964, but its efforts were hampered by a lack of facilities, especially in the Republic of Ireland
. The first pool to meet FINA regulations for length, breadth, and depth opened in 2002.
, Montenegro:
Finals, in Manchester
:
Note:
:
European Championship
:
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
team representing the island of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It is organised by the Irish Water Polo Association (IWPA), which is affiliated to Swim Ireland
Swim Ireland
Swim Ireland is the national governing body of swimming and associated aquatic disciplines in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. It is affiliated with both LEN and FINA.- History :...
.
History
At the turn of the twentieth century, water polo was a popular summer game in outdoor seawater bathLido
The Lido is an 11 km long sandbar located in Venice, northern Italy, home to about 20,000 residents. The Venice Film Festival takes place at the Lido every September.-Geography:...
s in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
, including at seaside resorts near Dublin and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. The four Home Nations
Home Nations
Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom...
— England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Ireland, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
— contested regular internationals against each other. Ireland were often outclassed, losing every match against England from 1895 to 1910. However, Noel Purcell from Dublin won a gold medal on the Great Britain team
Great Britain men's national water polo team
The Great Britain men's national water polo team is the representative for Great Britain in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Gold medal*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Gold medal*1912 — Gold medal...
at the 1920 Olympic water polo tournament
Water polo at the 1920 Summer Olympics
-Medal summary:-Gold medal round:-Silver medal round:-Bronze medal round:...
.
In 1922, the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
seceded from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the Olympic Council of Ireland
Olympic Council of Ireland
The Olympic Council of Ireland or OCI is the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Ireland. Its mission is "to develop and protect the Olympic Movement in Ireland, in accordance with the International Olympic Committee’s guiding document — the Olympic Charter."-History:After the First...
joined the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
. Purcell captained Ireland at the 1924 Olympics
Water polo at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Final results for the water polo tournament at the 1924 Summer Olympics:-Medal summary:Note: The players above the line played at least one game in this tournament, the players below the line were reserve players and did not compete in this tournament. Nevertheless the exclusively credits them all...
. Ireland had a bye in the first round when Austria
Austria men's national water polo team
The Austria men's national water polo team is the representative for Austria in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Didn't participate*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Didn't participate*1912 — 4th place...
pulled out. In the second round, they lost 4–2 against Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia men's national water polo team
The Czechoslovakia men's national water polo team was the representative for Czechoslovakia in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1920 — 1/8 finals*1924 — Quarterfinals*1928 — 1/8 finals*1932 — Didn't participate*1936 — First round...
. At the 1924 Tailteann Games
Tailteann Games
The Tailteann Games were an ancient sporting event held in Ireland in honour of the goddess Tailtiu. They ran from 632 BC to 1169-1171 AD when they died out after the Norman invasion....
, Ireland beat a team representing England.
In the 1928 Olympic tournament
Water polo at the 1928 Summer Olympics
-Medal summary:-Results:For the team rosters see: Water polo at the 1928 Summer Olympics - Men's team squads.-Participating nations:Each country was allowed to enter a team of 11 players and they all were eligible for participation....
, Ireland lost its only match 11–1 to Belgium
Belgium men's national water polo team
The Belgium men's national water polo team is the representative for Belgium in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Silver medal*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Silver medal*1912 — Bronze medal...
. The expense of travel to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
ruled out participating in the 1932 tournament
Water polo at the 1932 Summer Olympics
-Medal summary:-Round-Robin:All of the five teams played each team once.Germany vs. Brazil4 August 1932USA vs. Brazil6 August 1932Hungary vs. Germany6 August 1932USA vs. Japan7 August 1932Hungary vs. Japan...
, and Ireland boycotted the 1936 Games in a dispute over Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Ireland has not competed in the Olympics since 1928, and has never qualified for the World Championships. Although Home International matches continued into the 1960s, the transition to higher-specification indoor swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
s was long delayed in Ireland. The outdoor sea baths at Clontarf
Clontarf, Dublin
Clontarf is a coastal suburb on the northside of Dublin, in Ireland. It is most famous for giving the name to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, in which Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, defeated the Vikings of Dublin and their allies, the Irish of Leinster. This battle, which extended to districts...
and Blackrock fell into disuse. The IWPA was established in 1964, but its efforts were hampered by a lack of facilities, especially in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The first pool to meet FINA regulations for length, breadth, and depth opened in 2002.
2007 European 'B' Championships
Qualifying Group 'C', in KotorKotor
Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
, Montenegro:
- 16 March: lost 2–25 v.MontenegroMontenegro men's national water polo teamThe Montenegro men's national water polo team represents Montenegro in international men's water polo competitions and is controlled by the Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro.-Prior history:...
Montenegro, having secured independence from SerbiaMontenegrin independence referendum, 2006The Montenegrin independence referendum was a referendum on the independence of the Republic of Montenegro from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro that was held on 21 May 2006.The total turnout of the referendum was 86.5%...
, had only just joined LENLigue Européenne de NatationLigue Européenne de Natation or LEN is the European governing body for aquatic sports affiliated to FINA—it is the Continental Association for Europe. It was founded in 1927 in Bologna, Italy....
and so started at the bottom of the rankings. Having won the 2007 B final, they beat SerbiaSerbia men's national water polo teamThe Serbia men's national water polo team represents Serbia in international water polo competitions and is controlled by the Water Polo Association of Serbia...
in the final of the 2008 A Championship2008 Men's European Water Polo ChampionshipThe 2008 Men's European Water Polo Championship was the 28th edition of the bi-annual event, organised by the Europe's governing body in aquatics, the Ligue Européenne de Natation. The event took place in the Aquatic Centre Málaga in Málaga, Spain from July 4 to July 13, 2008...
. - 17 March: won 10–9 v. SwitzerlandSwitzerland men's national water polo teamThe Switzerland men's national water polo team is the representative for Switzerland in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Didn't participate*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Didn't participate*1912 — Didn't participate...
- 18 March: won 10–8 v. AustriaAustria men's national water polo teamThe Austria men's national water polo team is the representative for Austria in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Didn't participate*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Didn't participate*1912 — 4th place...
Finals, in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
:
- Group B:
- 8 July : lost 5–33 v. FranceFrance men's national water polo teamThe France men's national water polo team is the representative for France in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Bronze medal*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Didn't participate*1912 — 5th place*1920 — 11th place...
- 9 July : lost 3–19 v. UkraineUkraine men's national water polo teamThe Ukraine men's national water polo team represents Ukraine in international men's water polo competitions.-Olympic Games:* 1996 — 12th place* 2000 — Didn't participate* 2004 — Didn't participate* 2008 — Didn't participate-References:*...
- 10 July : lost 5–20 v. Great BritainGreat Britain men's national water polo teamThe Great Britain men's national water polo team is the representative for Great Britain in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Gold medal*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Gold medal*1912 — Gold medal...
- 11 July : lost 9–15 v. IsraelIsrael men's national water polo teamThe Israel men's national water polo team is the representative for Israel in international men's water polo.-World Championship:*1973 — 16th place*1975 — Didn't participate*1978 — 16th place*1982 — Didn't participate...
- 12 July : lost 5–16 v. Poland
- 8 July : lost 5–33 v. France
- Classification playoff:
- 13 July : lost 6–13 v. MaltaMalta men's national water polo teamThe Malta men's national water polo team is the representative for Malta in international men's water polo.-Olympic Games:*1900 — Didn't participate*1904 — Didn't participate*1908 — Didn't participate*1912 — Didn't participate...
- 13 July : lost 6–13 v. Malta
Note:
Since 2008
In February 2009, Ireland played a five-nation tournament in Denmark, losing all four matches.Results summary
Olympic GamesWater polo at the Summer Olympics
Water polo has been part of the Summer Olympics program since the second games, in 1900. A women's water polo tournament was introduced for the 2000 Summer Olympics...
:
- 1924Water polo at the 1924 Summer OlympicsFinal results for the water polo tournament at the 1924 Summer Olympics:-Medal summary:Note: The players above the line played at least one game in this tournament, the players below the line were reserve players and did not compete in this tournament. Nevertheless the exclusively credits them all...
— 9th - 1928Water polo at the 1928 Summer Olympics-Medal summary:-Results:For the team rosters see: Water polo at the 1928 Summer Olympics - Men's team squads.-Participating nations:Each country was allowed to enter a team of 11 players and they all were eligible for participation....
— 14th - 1932Water polo at the 1932 Summer Olympics-Medal summary:-Round-Robin:All of the five teams played each team once.Germany vs. Brazil4 August 1932USA vs. Brazil6 August 1932Hungary vs. Germany6 August 1932USA vs. Japan7 August 1932Hungary vs. Japan...
–2008Water polo at the 2008 Summer OlympicsWater polo at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held from 10 August to 24 August 2008 at the Ying Tung Natatorium in Beijing, People's Republic of China.-Men's medalists:-Women's medalists:-Men:-Women:-External links:**...
— Did not enter.
European Championship
European Water Polo Championship
The European Water Polo Championship is a sport competition for national water polo teams, currently held biannually and organized by the Ligue Européenne de Natation , the governing European aquatics federation. There are both men's and women's competitions.The first European Water Polo...
:
- 2007: 12th ('B' Championships)
External links
- International Senior Men Irish Water Polo Association Website