Archive for month: February, 2019

Three Rock Rovers advanced to the EuroHockey Indoor Challenge I promotion pool as group winners in Oslo following an ever-improving set of performances.

Indeed, it could have been a very different complexion to their tournament had they lost their opening tie when they trailed Ukraine’s OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 5-2 with four minutes to go.

But a quickfire run of three goals changed their whole momentum with Ross Canning scoring on the final hooter for what proved an important draw on Friday morning.

They backed that up with a 3-2 win over Cardiff & Met, pulling clear with two more late goals from Jody Hosking and Canning in the last five minutes.

It left them in second place overnight, facing the other leading side Bologna – both on seven points out of 10 – with a win confirming they would go through.

The first half was tight with the Italians on top but Conor Quinn kept Rovers’ noses in front 2-1 with a brilliant corner save. And then Rovers went on a second half rampage, scoring three times in quick succession after half-time to seal the win before running up another three goals late on for an 8-1 success.

Cardiff’s 2-2 draw with Vinnitsa, meanwhile, meant Rovers go through to the promotion pool along with Bologna, carrying with them the points and goal difference from that thumping win.

Reflecting on the group stages, coach Liam Canning said: “That comeback [against Vinnitsa] was massive. It comes from playing regularly in these tournaments indoors and in the EHL, the experience and belief the lads have to fight back is huge.

“They are developing that calmness and composure in tough situations. Against Bologna, it was tight in the first half with the Italians on top. We changed a few things at half time and played some outstanding stuff.

“Overall, we have a really good squad now and when we make subs, the standard doesn’t drop a level at all really. That makes a big difference. Quinner has made some big saves and Jamie [Carr] came in to keep things calm.”

Three Rock will now represent Ireland at the Euro club Trophy in February 2020. This is the first time since 1996 that Ireland have have had a men’s team at this level.

EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge I (Oslo, Norway)
Friday: HC OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 5 Three Rock Rovers 5 (R Canning 2, J Hosking, H Morris, B Walker); Cardiff & Met 2 Three Rock Rovers 3 (E Geyer, J Hosking, R Canning)
Saturday: Hockey Club Bologna 1 Three Rock Rovers 8 (R Canning 2, H Morris 2, J Hosking, J McAllister, D Walsh, H Morris)

Standings: 1. Three Rock Rovers 12pts (+8) 2. Bologna 7pts (-5) 3. OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 6pts (0) 4. Cardiff & Met 4pts (-3)

By Stephen Findlater, original article appeared here.

Sport Ireland today announced an investment of nearly €32 million in National Governing Bodies for Sport, direct athlete support and the Local Sports Partnership Network for 2019.

The funding announced, which represents a significant increase on 2018, includes an investment of €12.845 million in the core activity of National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs), €8.46m in NGB High Performance Programmes, €820,000 in high performance funding for the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland, and €7.29 million in the work of the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).

Sport Ireland also announced €500,000 in targeted funding for projects, to assist with the preparation for key events in 2019, along with a further €1.93 million for the International Carding Scheme.

The funding announcement is a welcome boost for Hockey Ireland following an historic 2018 for Irish hockey and 2019 could well follow in a similar vain with Olympic qualification on the horizon. To support both senior teams campaigns to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Sport Ireland will lay a state of the art hockey pitch at the National Sport Campus in April. The new pitch is a welcome addition to the thriving campus and will prove invaluable for all Hockey Ireland national teams.

The first major tournament on the road to Tokyo comes in the form of the FIH Series Finals, Ireland’s men are bound for Le Touqet in France while the women will play host in Dublin. The tournament will mark the first major competition hosted at home for the Green Army since World League 2 in March 2015. It offers the perfect opportunity to see the World Cup silver medallists in action over the course of the 9-day tournament, with plenty of chances for fans to meet members of the Green Army at the dedicated Fan Village.

Both senior teams will enjoy an increased budget this year, attributed to a rise in sponsorship revenue and a notable increase in high performance funding from Sport Ireland. The additional funding has presented both teams with the much-needed opportunity to train more frequently as a team and increase their international fixtures against top opposition in preparation for major tournaments.

In August, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD announced that Hockey Ireland would receive €500,000 of €1.5 million that was being invested to assist NGB’s with Olympic and major competition preparation. Hockey Ireland continue to be extremely grateful for this investment and commitment to the sport, and the funding greatly assisted in covering the deficit that arose from two World Cup campaigns in 2018. The funding has also played a role in facilitating the establishment of a carding scheme for the senior international athletes, whereby the senior international athletes receive financial support.

Another positive step in the right direction is a targeted investment in our Junior Age Group programmes as they continue to progress on their journey to senior internationals.

2019 is off to an extremely bright start and is shaping up to be another momentous year for hockey, as echoed by Hockey Ireland CEO Jerome Pels “We are very grateful to Sport Ireland for their increased investment in hockey and their continued support. The new pitch in Abbotstown is a big step for our sport and the establishment of a purpose-built training facility for our international squads will only aid our ambitions to continually compete with the best teams in the world.”.

Head coach Alexander Cox, who has recently signed a contract with Hockey Ireland that will see him lead the Green Machine up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, said “We are of course grateful for the funding and support we receive from Sport Ireland. The new pitch at the National Sports Campus along with this increase in funding will prove a vital boost to our training and the amount of camps we can have at home, working towards Olympic Qualification”.

For full details of the Sport Ireland funding announcement, click here

Mitch Darling has today announced his retirement from international hockey following more than a decade at the top of the game. Darling earned 183 international caps, the first of which came shortly after his 18th birthday against England in Poland and scored 51 goals for the Green Machine. He has been a Three Rock Rovers man from the start and has been heavily involved in much of the clubs most successful periods. Over the years, Darling has plied his trade amongst the best in the Dutch league with successful stints with clubs such as Rotterdam, Den Bosch and SCHC.

Darling was cognisant to recognise the coaches at all levels who played a role in his successful career “I want to thank the coaches who contributed significantly to my development during the early years from Wesley College and Three Rock Rovers. I’m eternally grateful to the Irish support staff and management, both past and present, who went above and beyond to help us perform on the pitch. As a player I think I really flourished under the tutelage of Paul Revington and Craig Fulton; incredible men and detailed coaches that revolutionised both the game and the players in Ireland”

Mitch Darling has been a constant figure for many of the Green Machine’s most memorable moments over the last several years including a European bronze medal in 2015 and historic Olympics Games and World Cup appearances. “When I got my first cap in 2006 I could never have dreamed reaching the heights we did. I am definitely privileged to have played with some of the best players to ever wear a green shirt. Being involved in such a special era holds some amazing memories and undoubtedly the biggest career defining moment was the Rio Olympics, an experience to be cherished forever”.

Head coach Alexander Cox paid tribute to Darlings’ contribution to the Green Machine “I want to congratulate Mitch on an amazing international career with The Green Machine. He has had an important influence on the successes that the team has enjoyed over the last 10 years. Not only because of his outstanding qualities as a player, but also as a great person in the group, we will miss him. As a new chapter in his life starts, I wish him all the best with his family and professional career”.

Darling concluded by thanking all those who played a role off the pitch “Thanks to everyone who has supported the team over the years, the supporters undoubtedly helped propel the team to where they are today. Thank you to Hockey Ireland and all the sporting bodies who supported us during the years. A huge thank you to my wife Erika, Mum, Dad, my brothers and sister for their unconditional support all along the way.

Finally, I just want to wish both the men’s and women’s teams all the very best for the upcoming qualification for Tokyo 2020”.

Hockey Ireland wants to thank Mitch for all he has done for the Green Machine and wish him every success for the future.