Team Ireland Announces Roster for 2021 European Championship Qualifier

The Irish Men’s National Team has announced its roster for the 2021 European Championship qualifier in Slovakia.

Team Ireland, currently ranked #44 in the world, will compete in the B-Pool Qualifying Tournament in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, from June 30-July 3. The other teams in the qualifying tournament will be Hungary (#66), Finland (#61), and host nation Slovakia (#35).

The Irish will be led by Mitch Hillert, who currently pitches for the Guggenberger Legionäre Regensburg in the German Bundesliga, and Ryan O’Rourke, who made 56 MLB appearances across three seasons with the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins. He made his last MLB appearance in 2019.

In 29.1 Bundesliga innings this season, Hillert has struck out 39 batters, allowed just eight walks, and has a 3.38 ERA. He has a 2-2 record and has also recorded two saves.

O’Rourke threw 48.1 Major League innings, recording a 4.84 ERA, and appeared in another 283 games in the minor leagues.

The winner of the Bratislava tournament has been drawn in Group D of the 2021 European Championship alongside Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. The competition runs from Sep. 12-19 at three sites in and around Turin, Italy.

ROSTER

• David Casey
• Dillon Cleary
• Jamie Cuevas
• Feidhlim Deering
• Patrick Dillon
• JP Dolan
• Matt Dutton
• Leo Farrell
• Alan Fox
• David Gallagher
• Fionn Gallahar-Hall
• Mitch Hillert
• Brian McAuliffe
• Mike McGee
• Patrick Mitchell
• Ryan O’Rourke
• Brendan Power
• Sean Scanlon
• Brendan Scott
• Tim Shea
• Liam Shier
• Keelan Smithers