The Ireland men’s hockey team will take part in the Olympic Games for the first time in 108 years in Rio de Janeiro next year. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that the Irish qualified for the Rio 2016 Games on Sunday (25 October) without striking a ball, after Australia won the Oceania Cup.

The last time an Irish hockey team competed in the Olympic Games was at the London 1908 edition, when their men took silver on the sport’s Olympic debut.

Australia’s 3-2 win over hosts New Zealand in Stratford meant they qualified for Rio as continental champions, opening up another place via the World League semi-finals. Australia already had a place secured after winning the Antwerp semi-finals, and this has been passed down to the next highest ranked team, which was Ireland, who finished fifth in Belgium.

They become the 11th men’s team to qualify for Rio 2016, joining India, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Great Britain, Brazil, Canada and Spain.

The final place will be decided at the African Hockey Championships in Johannesburg from 23 October to 1 November 2015.

Last week the Japan women’s team were also confirmed for Rio 2016 without playing, as Australia and New Zealand reached the final of the women’s Oceania Cup, which Australia won after a shoot-out.