Kilkenny’s fab five ready to impress on ice hockey’s world stage

A group of five dedicated young athletes are preparing to represent their country on the world stage.

Five members of the Kilkenny Storm Ice Hockey team - Aidan Sweeney, Callum Robinson, Indie Cummins, Josh Robinson and Ludy Raftice - are all set to head for Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Sedma Hockey Tournament, which is recognised as the largest hockey tournament in Canada.

This opportunity is the result of years of commitment, sacrifice, and an unwavering love for the sport.

All five are members of the Kilkenny Storm Ice and Inline Hockey Club. They train in inline hockey twice weekly in St Canice’s Hall and also make a seven-hour round trip to Belfast for 90 minutes of ice training. Alongside ice hockey, they also train and compete in inline hockey leagues all around Ireland, further sharpening their skills, fitness and game awareness.

The Sedma Tournament attracts hundreds of teams and thousands of players from across the country each year. Over the course of the tournament, thousands of games are played across multiple rinks, making it one of the busiest and most exciting hockey events on the Canadian calendar.

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While this trip is a huge honour, it is not fully funded, meaning Kilkenny Storm must raise money to help support the players’ journey to Canada. The club will host a number of fundraising events statring this Saturday, when members will be in the Market Cross, helping to raise awareness, encourage support, and showcase everything the club has to offer.

This will be followed by a quiz night on February 19 at the Village Inn, a fun social evening that promises a great turnout and plenty of friendly competition.