Lisnagarvey begin their EY Hockey League title defence on Saturday when they take on newly promoted Portrane on the first day of the Irish competition.
For Garvey, they start the campaign with a very settled side with Patrick Rose the main addition after four years playing for Loughborough University in England.
On the flip side, Milo Thompson has joined Bundesliga side Berliner SC while John Cunningham has moved to Three Rock Rovers in Dublin.
But the majority of the panel has been together for a number of year with Ryan Getty, Daniel and Matthew Nelson, Mark McNellis, James Milliken and Peter McKibbin all being part of the side who played in the EHL in Eindhoven at Easter 2017.
The coach is also the same with the hugely successful Erroll Lutton continuing in the role, with Steven Arbuthnot continuing his role as assistant.
McKibbin, Matt Nelson and Jonny Lynch – who scored a hat trick against Malaysia – were all part of the Ireland side that played in the World Cup during the summer.
And they have a number of exciting prospects coming through like Harry Archbold who has scored seven times in two Kirk Cup matches – an early season regional competition in Ulster – against CI Annadale and Belfast Harlequins.
In the EHL, they return after a four year break to the top tier after three consecutive EuroHockey Trophy appearances: first in 2024 (Lousada), second in 2025 (Lisburn) and third in 2026 (Vienna).
They now look forward to a meeting with Swiss champions Rotweiss Wettingen and a rematch against CAM 92 whom they fell to in a shoot-out in 2025 in the Trophy decider.
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