Due to the extension of the Covid19 lockdown period in Kildare to include the weekend of 6th September 2020, the Cups Competition SWG has postponed the Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final between Nth Kildare and Portadown scheduled to be played at the Nth Kildare venue.
Clubs will be notified of the revised date for this fixture early next week.
It is not anticipated that this postponement will in any way affect the scheduling of the final on Sunday 27th Sept.
Hockey Ireland Statement Regarding Decision from Sports Dispute Solutions Ireland on the EuroHockey League and Club Championship Positions 2020/21.
21 August 2020
On the 9th of April 2020, the 2019/2020 EYHL season was declared null and void by the Hockey Ireland Board due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This was based on the recommendation of a Competitions Working Group that included the Hockey Ireland Competitions Committee and representation from each of the four provinces. This group, after extensive consultation and consideration, presented a series of recommendations to the Hockey Ireland Board regarding all hockey competitions on the island of Ireland. The Competitions Committee also recommended the representatives for the 2020/2021 European Hockey competitions – the EuroHockey League and EuroHockey Club Championship. It was recommended that the four teams selected to represent Ireland in 2019/2020 season should remain the representatives for 2020/2021.
This recommendation was reviewed and subsequently approved by the Hockey Ireland Board at a meeting on 5th May, resolving that the four clubs representing Ireland in the European Hockey competitions in 2021 would remain the same as the previous year, in the same positions.
This Board decision was appealed by Lisnagarvey Hockey Club under the Hockey Ireland Bye Laws. An independent Appeal Panel met on Monday 29th June and ruled that the appeal should be upheld. This panel determined that Lisnagarvey Hockey Club should be awarded first place in the nomination for European Competitions for the 2020/2021 season, making them the representative for Ireland in the EuroHockey League.
With regard to the decision of the Appeal Panel, it was Hockey Ireland’s position that the Panel focussed on Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s appeal without any, or insufficient, regard to the consequences of such a change to the broader Hockey Ireland decision. Upon receipt of the Appeal Panel decision, Hockey Ireland considered all available options open to it and decided to refer the Appeal Panel’s decision to Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland as allowed for within the Hockey Ireland Bye Laws. Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland is an independent specialised dispute resolution service for Irish Sport.
As Hockey Ireland’s designate appeal body, a request to Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland for mediation/arbitration is the final solution to an appeal when all processes within Hockey Ireland have been exhausted.
Hockey Ireland has fully engaged with the Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland arbitration process and would like to thank the SDSI for providing the final conclusion for a very difficult matter.
The arbitration hearing took place on 13th August 2020 and we have now been informed that the Sole Arbitrator upholds the appeal of the Hockey Ireland Board. Consequently, the decision of the Hockey Ireland Board of 5th May 2020, so far as it relates to the Men’s EFH Club Competition 2020/21 selection is reinstated.
A full reasoned decision has been communicated to all the clubs involved. In summary, in the Sole Arbitrators view, the Board decision was made “without any procedural infirmity, in the absence of which, there was no basis for the Hockey Ireland Appeal Panel to overturn the decision of the Hockey Ireland Board”. The Arbitrator further stated that there is a reasonable argument to be made that an alternative decision or conclusion could have been reached by the Board, but that is entirely subjective. It was clearly open to the Board to make the decision it did.
Reinstating the 5th May Board decision means that the following club will represent Ireland at the EuroHockey League for the 2020/21 season:
The Board of Hockey Ireland fully empathise with all clubs across all our leagues and provinces that have been impacted by decisions forced upon us by COVID-19 similar to many other sports. We have endeavoured to do the right thing in the interests of our clubs and players and we regret any upset felt by the clubs.
We would also like to put on record our sincere thanks to the Appeal Panel for the time and effort they committed to this process and in general to all the club officials and volunteers who have committed endless hours dealing with the fall out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, we would just like to thank all those hockey players and officials working in the front line and remind everyone to stay safe in these ongoing difficult times.
Hockey Ireland Cup Competitions Season 2020/21.
Attached please find links for entering your Club to the Hockey Ireland Cup Competitions for season 2020-21.
Please find Cup Competition Qualification criteria below:
Cup Competition Qualification Criteria 2020-21.pdf.
You will also find below a list of Hockey Ireland clubs broken down by cup competitions that they qualify for. Please note this club list is subject to change when branches have finalised their league structures for 20/21.
Cup Eligibility 2021 Club List.xlsx
Hockey Ireland Cup Entry fees are unchanged from last season. Invoices will be sent out once the cut off date for entries is passed. Entry fees must be made prior to the competition starting, any clubs with outstanding payments by the competition start date will not be permitted to enter. If you have any queries on this please contact finance@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com
Closing Date for receipt of entries is Friday, 28th August 2020.
Hockey Ireland Calendar for season 20/21 has been released and is available HERE
Hockey Ireland on 9 April announced that the 2019/20 hockey season for all league, cup and all other domestic hockey competitions in Ireland were deemed to have finished. The EYHL 1 and 2 season 19/20 was stopped and has been declared null and void. In addition, it was stated that there will be no automatic promotion/relegation in the EYHL 1 and 2.
Therefore, going forward to the 20/21 Season the EYHL 1 will start with the same clubs as last season being:
| EY 1 Men
Annadale Banbridge Corinthian Glenanne Lisnagarvey Monkstown Pembroke Wanderers Three Rock Rovers UCD YMCA |
EY 1 Women
Belfast Harlequins Catholic Institute Cork Harlequins Loreto Hockey Club Muckross Old Alex Pegasus Pembroke Wanderers Railway Union UCD |
The EYHL 2 the 20/21 season will be run using the same format and under the same rules as last season. In line with the invitation rules the following nominations were received by Hockey Ireland from the branches and these clubs will receive an invite to compete in the EYHL 2:
Connacht Women – NUIG / Galway
Leinster Women – Corinthians / Monkstown / Trinity
Leinster Men – Clontarf / Railway Union / Portrane
Munster- Women – UCC / Cork CofI
Munster Men – Cork CofI / Bandon
Ulster Women – Queens / Ards / Lurgan
Ulster Men – Cookstown / Kilkeel / Instonians
A full review of the EYHL 1 and 2 will take place in the coming months, with a view to finalise details regarding the format and regulations in time for the 21/22 season.
Recently, Sport Ireland announced a new scheme of funding to help support clubs who have found the pandemic financially challenging.
This scheme is available to hockey-only clubs:
Key points:
Hockey Ireland has included some guidance notes within the application form and will also run a webinar on Thursday 13th August from 19.00 – 20.30. To register for this webinar, please click here
To download the application form Covid 19 Grant Scheme Application Forms HI.docx
Process and Timeline:
Presidents Newsletter July 2020
Following the ups and downs of the International sides in their quest for Olympic Qualification, it was back to domestic hockey for the 2019/20 with the EYHL now in full swing when the Men started in September while the Ladies league started later, on November 9th due to the Ladies Olympic Qualifier in Energia Park, Donnybrook in early November.
Seven rounds were played before year end when there was a winter break during December and January when the Indoor game came to the fore with the provincial leagues taking place and the qualifiers from these took part in the National Finals which were held this year in the Kingfisher Club, NUIG, Galway on February 2nd,2020. There was a feast of Indoor hockey in this magnificent facility where the pitch size was at the maximum allowed and it took some getting used to as all the players previously played their league games in much smaller halls.
At the end of a very entertaining days hockey, the double was achieved by Railway Union where the Men defeated Three Rock Rovers in a shoot-out (1-0) following a 3-3 draw at the end of normal time and the Ladies defeated Muckross on a score-line of 2-0, ensuring both secured a place in Europe for 2021. The finals this year were streamed live on the Euro-Hockey Channel and the commentator was “the voice of Hockey in Europe”, Nick Irvine.
On Wednesday March 4th, I was invited by the Ulster Branch to attend the Final of the Belfast Telegraph Senior Schools Cup Final in Lisnagarvey between Belfast Royal Academy and Friends School Lisburn. It was a bright sunny spring day and we were entertained by two very good hockey teams in an excellent final where BRA excelled and were deserved winners on a 4-2 score-line. This was the first time that they have won the Cup since 1974.
After this competition things changed in the world with the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic which necessitated the cessation of all aspects relating to hockey. First to be hit were the schools with the cancellation of the Schoolboys All Ireland (John Waring), All Ireland Schoolgirls (Kate Russell), June Smith competition and latterly the Junior Inter-pros in May. Both the EYHL and EYHL2 competitions were stopped as per a HI communication on April 9th and declared null and void as there were too many games left to play to determine a fair final ranking for the season. The Champions Trophy was also cancelled.
The Hockey Ireland Annual General was also postponed from May 16 and has now been rescheduled for August 22nd.
Hockey Ireland Statement Regarding EuroHockey League and Club Championship Positions 2020/21.
17 July 2020
On the 9th of April 2020, the 2019/2020 EYHL season was declared null and void by the Hockey Ireland Board due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This was based on the recommendation of a Competitions Working Group that included the Hockey Ireland Competitions Committee and representation from each of the four provinces. This group, after extensive consultation and consideration, presented a series of recommendations to the Hockey Ireland Board regarding all hockey competitions on the island of Ireland. The Competitions Committee also recommended the representatives for the 2020/2021 European Hockey competitions – the EuroHockey League and EuroHockey Club Championship. It was recommended that the four teams selected to represent Ireland in 2019/2020 season should remain the representatives for 2020/2021.
This recommendation was reviewed by the Hockey Ireland Board at a meeting on 6th May. The Board approved the Competitions Committee recommendation and resolved that the four clubs representing Ireland in the European Hockey competitions in 2021 are:
This Board decision was appealed by Lisnagarvey Hockey Club under the Hockey Ireland Bye Laws. An independent Appeal Panel met on Monday 29th June and ruled that the appeal should be upheld. This panel determined that Lisnagarvey Hockey Club should be awarded first place in the nomination for European Competitions for the 2020/2021 season, making them the representative for Ireland in the EuroHockey League.
While accepting the decision of the Appeal Panel, it is Hockey Ireland’s position that the committee focussed on Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s appeal without any, or insufficient, regard to the consequences of such a change to the broader Hockey Ireland decision. The outcome of the appeal impacts on the decisions, regarding club selections and their ranking, for all of the respective European Hockey Competitions in 2020/2021.
Upon receipt of the Appeal Panel decision, Hockey Ireland considered all available options open to it and decided to refer the Appeal Panel’s decision to Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland as allowed for within the Hockey Ireland Bye Laws. Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland is an independent specialised dispute resolution service for Irish Sport offering both a mediation and arbitration facility. As Hockey Ireland’s designate appeal body, a request to Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland for mediation/arbitration is the final solution to an appeal when all processes within Hockey Ireland have been exhausted.
Hockey Ireland has received appeals from other Clubs since the Appeal Panel’s decision was announced. However, due to the complexity of this issue and the potential implications of any Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland ruling on the matter, Hockey Ireland has contacted the other appealing clubs to look into pausing their appeal processes until a ruling is received from Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland.
Hockey Ireland will fully engage with the Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland mediation/arbitration process.
Hockey Ireland Statement Regarding EuroHockey League and Club Championship Positions 202021..pdf
The Young Hockey Leaders Award is a 5-hour long course that introduces young people, aged between 14 and 18, to volunteering in their hockey club.
The YHLA introduces young people to all aspects of the sport including umpiring, coaching, volunteering, and team management. During the programme individuals will learn skills, top tips, and, most importantly, confidence so that Young Leaders can get back to their clubs in order to put their new-found knowledge to use!
As a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, Hockey Ireland has decided to divide the delivery of YHLA into 2 parts:
In order to complete the award, each leader must attend the 2 aspects of the course and then go back to their club to complete 5 hours of contact time. The cost of the course is €20 per participant. To book onto the courses please follow the link below.
https://store.irelandhockey.sportlomo.com/product/?13273_youngHockeyLeaderCourse.html
We will continue to add dates and venues across Ireland for August, please keep your eyes peeled for this.
For any clubs wishing to run a YHLA please contact your regional development officer.
1 July 2020
On the 6th of May earlier this year, the 2019/2020 EYHL season was declared null and void by the Hockey Ireland Board due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. It was also decided that the European representatives for the EuroHockey Club competitions were to remain the same for the next season, and in the same order.
This decision has since been appealed by Lisnagarvey Hockey Club under the rules of Hockey Ireland. The appeal panel met on Monday the 29th June with the relevant parties and concluded that the appeal should be upheld.
The Panel determined that Lisnagarvey Hockey Club shall be given the first place in the nominations for European Club Competitions for the 2020/2021 season, which means the club will be the representative for Ireland for the EuroHockey League. With the order changed by this decision the Irish representatives for Europe are as follows:
– Pegasus Hockey Club Women will retain their position as the representative in the Euro Hockey League Final
– Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s Men are now the representative for the Euro Hockey League
– Loreto Hockey Club Women retain their position as the representative for the EuroHockey Club Trophy
– Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club Men are now the representative for the EuroHockey Club Trophy II
On the 9th of April 2020, the 2019/2020 EYHL season was declared null and void by the Hockey Ireland Board due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This was based on the recommendation of a Competitions Working Group that included the Hockey Ireland Competitions Committee and representation from each of the four provinces. This group, after extensive consultation and consideration, presented a series of recommendations to the Hockey Ireland Board regarding all hockey competitions on the island of Ireland. The Competitions Committee also recommended the representatives for the 2020/2021 European Hockey competitions – the EuroHockey League and EuroHockey Club Championship. It was recommended that the four teams selected to represent Ireland in 2019/2020 season should remain the representatives for 2020/2021.
This recommendation was reviewed by the Hockey Ireland Board at a meeting on 6th May. The Board approved the Competitions Committee recommendation and resolved that the four clubs representing Ireland in the European Hockey competitions in 2021 are:
Pegasus Hockey Club Women will retain their position as the representative in the Euro Hockey League Final
Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club Men retain their position as the representative for the Euro Hockey League
Loreto Hockey Club Women retain their position as the representative for the EuroHockey Club Trophy
Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s Men retain their position for the EuroHockey Club Trophy II
This Board decision was appealed by Lisnagarvey Hockey Club under the Hockey Ireland Bye Laws. An independent Appeal Panel met on Monday 29th June and ruled that the appeal should be upheld. This panel determined that Lisnagarvey Hockey Club should be awarded first place in the nomination for European Competitions for the 2020/2021 season, making them the representative for Ireland in the EuroHockey League.
While accepting the decision of the Appeal Panel, it is Hockey Ireland’s position that the committee focussed on Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s appeal without any, or insufficient, regard to the consequences of such a change to the broader Hockey Ireland decision. The outcome of the appeal impacts on the decisions, regarding club selections and their ranking, for all of the respective European Hockey Competitions in 2020/2021.
Upon receipt of the Appeal Panel decision, Hockey Ireland considered all available options open to it and decided to refer the Appeal Panel’s decision to Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland as allowed for within the Hockey Ireland Bye Laws. Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland is an independent specialised dispute resolution service for Irish Sport offering both a mediation and arbitration facility. As Hockey Ireland’s designate appeal body, a request to Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland for mediation/arbitration is the final solution to an appeal when all processes within Hockey Ireland have been exhausted.
Hockey Ireland has received appeals from other Clubs since the Appeal Panel’s decision was announced. However, due to the complexity of this issue and the potential implications of any Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland ruling on the matter, Hockey Ireland has contacted the other appealing clubs to look into pausing their appeal processes until a ruling is received from Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland.
Hockey Ireland will fully engage with the Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland mediation/arbitration process.
Hockey Ireland Statement Regarding EuroHockey League and Club Championship Positions 202021..pdf
Watch the FIH Nations Cup here https://watch.hockey/