Hockey Ireland launches ‘See Us, Be Us, Back Us’ campaign 

Today Hockey Ireland celebrated International Women’s Day with the launch of its latest campaign in support of the women’s game.

‘See Us, Be Us, Back Us’ accelerates the promotion of women in our sport by getting more fans to more of our women’s games.

The United Nations’ International Women’s Day theme for 2024 is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. Hockey is a sport where women are well represented and where the Ireland Senior Women’s Hockey Team have pushed the boundaries of the women’s game.

But a recent study found that ‘nearly 60% of Irish people have never attended a female sports event’.* We want to help address that.

For fans, we will do that by raising awareness of our women’s games be they International, Club or Schools, and encouraging greater attendance and visible support. As details become available we will be promoting these key fixtures.

For corporates, we will do that by facilitating support through our ‘Back Us’ Partner Programme, in which we ask key corporates and small enterprise to get involved, purchase fan tickets and experience our events in support of our women’s games.

Corporates interested in being part of this Back Us Partner Programme can email us at womeninsport@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com to register interest, receive further details and start a conversation to get started.

 

*Research commissioned by Lidl and carried out by Red C in December 2023

There’s a full round of matches on Saturday in the EY Hockey League Men’s Division 1, the first full round of 2024 and other fixtures in this Division again on Sunday. Elsewhere, there are games in the EYHL 2, Irish Women’s Senior Cup, and Men’s Junior Cup.

Last Saturday’s TRR Vs YMCA weather-cancelled game has been re-fixed for Thursday night March 7.

Saturday 9th March

EYHL Division 2

Men

Bandon v Pembroke, 14:14, Bandon Grammar

Queens v Avoca, 14:30, Queens University

Cookstown v Cork Harlequins, 12:45, Cookstown

South Antrim v Railway Union, 14:45, Friends School Lisburn

 

Women

Avoca v Cork Harlequins, 14:30, Newpark School

Belfast Harlequins v Kilkenny, 14:30, Deramore Park

Lurgan v Muckross, 13:00, Lurgan JHS

UCC v University of Galway, 14:00, The Mardyke

EYHL Division 1 

Men

Glenanne v UCD, 13:30, St Andrews College

Monkstown v Instonians, 14:30, Rathdown

YMCA v Corinthian, 14:30 YMCA

Banbridge v Lisnagarvey, 14:45, Havelock Park

Three Rock Rovers v Annadale, 15:00 Grange Road

Irish Junior Cup Men

Rathgar v Cork Church of Ireland, 13:00, Rathgar

Irish Senior Cup Women

Pegasus v Railway Union, 12:45, Queens University

Sunday 10th March

EYHL Division 1

Lisnagarvey v UCD, 14:00 Comber Road

Instonains v Annadale, 14:30, Shawsbridge

Glenanne v Banbridge, 15:15, St Andrews College

 

Tuesday March 5, Dublin: Ireland Head Coach Sean Dancer has decided to step-away from the Senior Women’s Hockey programme. It comes just over a month after the team narrowly failed to qualify for Paris 2024, losing to GB in Valencia at the Olympic Qualifiers in January.

Dancer joined as Head Coach in May 2019 having moved from his role as Assistant Coach in New Zealand, and his tenure saw the Ireland team reach their first ever Olympic games, one World Cup and most recently finishing 5th in Europe, equalling the team’s best ever result.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Sean Dancer said:

“I would like to thank Hockey Ireland, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, and all the sponsors for providing me the support and opportunity to lead and drive the Women’s programme over the last 6 years. As a team there have certainly been some ups and downs, but I am extremely proud of the team’s consistency competing and performing at three Europeans, a World Cup and an Olympic Games. 

“It has been an amazing experience for me and my family getting to understand the unique Irish sporting culture and skills. But more importantly it was an honour getting to know each individual of our special group. I wish the players and staff all the best for the future, and look forward to the opportunity of cheering from the stands with the great Green Army Family”.

Hockey Ireland High Performance Director Lisa Jacob, also commented:

“We wish Sean the very best as he steps away from the programme and seeks new opportunities. He has made a huge and positive contribution to the development of the team, and the results and successes bear testament to that. On a personal note, Sean has been a true professional and a pleasure to work with and on behalf of all the players and the staff, I want to recognise that and thank him for his contribution.”

On the occasion of his stepping away from the Senior Women’s team, we had the chance to speak with Sean and ask some questions.

 

Regarding the reasons for joining as Head Coach initially:

“In 2019 I was working for the Black Sticks and watched Ireland at the World Cup, so I had awareness of the group and potential.

But the two factors for me coming to Ireland where:

Firstly the opportunity to create a semi-pro program – 3 days a week in a new country. The team had earnt the right from their 2018 WC and deserved a more complete program.

It took me three years to get the program to a position that I felt had a good balance for everyone. Athletes now have key training days Mon & Tues, with regional work end of the week. Club is supported Thurs & Sat. And players can work and/or study part-time Wed / Thurs / Fri. With everyone being free for family on Sunday’s. There is a healthy balance for athletes, that also allows for their high achievements in other areas of their lives.

Secondly it was the personal challenge to qualify a team for the Olympics. 2018 put the team in a good position, but there was certainly no guarantee of Olympic qualification. And when arriving in Ireland it was immediately clear how much mental pressure there was around qualification, and how my role had to move the group passed that stress point.”

 

Regarding the biggest achievement while in charge:

 

“The biggest achievement was qualifying and leading the team to the Tokyo Olympics. To be part of not only the first every Ireland’s Women’s Hockey team, but also the first ever Ireland Women’s Sporting teams to compete at the Olympics was something special and made me extremely proud.

Also part of that was the back-up post-Olympic. Within 8 weeks the team had to compete in a cut throat, winner takes all WC qualifier. To be able to regather + prepare + produce a winning performance I think was one of the toughest challenges the group had to get through in my time here.”

 

Regarding the January Olympic Qualification Tournament:

 

“We didn’t get the end result and fell short. But the performance was easily the best showing of the group over the last two years. Not only did our key focus areas reviewed from the Europeans dramatically improve. We drew against Belgium, who I feel will be certainly competing for a medal at Paris. We comfortably beat Korea, who are ranked above us and we dominated Spain in the semi, with our goal keeper not touching the ball in 60 minutes of hockey. Unfortunately, as a team we didn’t make the most of our opportunities including goal shots, PC’s and a shootout. Our final game v GB was the best performance against them at a major in my time with the team. I am extremely proud of our January performance, and I do hope that at some stage people can look back and see the quality of it”.

 

The Head Coach role will be filled on an interim basis from within the current coaching set up, until a successor for Dancer is found.

 

EY HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS  V YMCA

This game failed an early morning pitch inspection, there was ice and residual snow still on the field, so the game was postponed. It will be rescheduled for another date in due course.

 EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1

RAILWAY UNION 1  LORETO 1

This top of the table clash could potentially have crowned the new champions of the EYHL Women’s Division 1 had Loreto managed to maintain their 100% record by winning this game at Park Avenue. However, Railway Union can claim the distinction of forcing Loreto to drop their first two points of the season and in so doing postpone their ascent to the throne as it were for another week at least.

The game was a little slow to get going early on and that might have been due to what was at stake. Loreto will no doubt be crowned champions eventually, but Railway Union did take a step towards claiming second spot in the table and the second bye to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy play offs, which will take place as soon as the regular League campaign ends. Loreto probably shaded the first half in terms of scoring opportunities, but they capitalized on the first penalty corner they were awarded in the match. Sarah Torrans scoring in the 25th minute to give the league leaders a 1-0 lead. The game got more energy almost straightaway and while Loreto led 1-0 at half time the closing minutes of the first half had a lot more incident than the previous 24. Railway created more chances. Sarah Patton almost scored following a penalty corner and the parsimonious Loreto defence got in telling blocks as well as goalkeeper Liz Murphy whose saves helped preserve Loreto’s lead. Both sides had key figures absent.

For Railway Union, the experienced Holly Jenkinson remains sidelined with a broken hand, but they did welcome Katie Mullan back to action following international duty alongside colleagues Sarah Hawkshaw, Niamh and Michelle Carey. Loreto were minus former international Hannah Mathew’s who is sidelined following a cut eyebrow that required stitches. Despite these losses their replacements stood tall, and the second half was very engaging. There were incidents in both goalmouths, and it was no surprise when Railway Union equalised through Lily Lloyd in the 55th minute. Railway Union pressed ahead in search of a winner but the next time the ball hit the backboard Síofra O’Brien’s effort was disallowed. The game ended with both sides getting a share of the spoils , but Railway Union took an important step towards clinching a bye to the playoffs semi-final. 

RAILWAY UNION: Emma Buckley, Sarah Patton, Orla Patton, Orla Fox, Katie Fearon, Niamh Shaw, Sarah Hawkshaw, Michelle Carey, Emma Smyth (C), Niamh Carey, Lisa McCarthy,  Aebhfinn Bourke, Jenny Long, Lily Lloyd, Saoirse Griffin, Katie Mullan

LORETO: Liz Murphy, Ella Pasley, Aisling Murray, Lisa Mulcahy, Katie Dunne, Síofra O’Brien, Mia Jennings (C), Grace McLoughlin, Caitlin Sherin, Yasmin Pratt, Caoimhe Perdue, Sarah Torrans, Grace Donald, Chritina Hamill, Hannah McLoughlin, Rachel Kelly;

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 2 QUEENS UNIVERSITY 4

The visitors took the lead in the 8th minute, Conor Irwin converting a penalty corner. Pembroke equalised through a Jack Flanagan goal from open play in the 16th minute. Harry Scott restored the lead for Queen’s with a 29th minute penalty corner. Cian Murphy scored from a converted penalty corner in the 48th minute to bring the sides level, this time at 2-2.  Harry Scott scored from open play in the 49th minute to restore the lead for Queens at 3-2 and Conor Irwin converted a penalty corner in the 63rd to secure a 4-2 win. 

 

BANGOR  2 BANDON 2 

Clinton Sweetnam opened the scoring for Munster Division 1 visitors Bandon from a converted penalty corner. Callum Duncan equalised for the hosts Bangor in the 18th minute from open play. Clinton Sweetnam scored from a converted penalty corner again on 29 minutes to restore the lead for Bandon. 

Samuel McMillan ensured the Ulster Premier league side had a share of the spoils with a converted penalty corner in the 58th minute to make the final score 2-2. 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B 

CORK HARLEQUINS 4 SOUTH ANTRIM 1

Sean Curtin opened the scoring for Harlequins with a 15th minute goal from open play. Ryan West got the Ulstermen back on level terms with a 22nd minute equaliser. 1-1 at half time. Cork Harlequins went for the jugular after the break. Andrew Dale restored the lead from open play on 37 minutes. Sam Dale made it 3-1 for Harlequins in the 59th minute and Julian Dale got the fourth from open play to seal a 4-1 win. 

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND 3 COOKSTOWN 4

The Ulstermen won a seven goal thriller at Garryduff. Ryan Millar put them 1-0 up in the 3rd minute from open play. Rob Olden equalised in the 15th minute for Church of Ireland. Scott McCabe restored the Northerners lead in 26th minute. And C of I captain Ian Balding restored parity with a converted penalty corner on 30 minutes. It was 2-2 at half-time. Cookstown got two in  front, Greg Allen from a converted penalty corner in the 47th minute and Paul Watt from open play on the hour mark. 4-2 to Cookstown. A late Jonathan Baldwin converted penalty corner in the 67th minute left the final score Cork Church of Ireland 3 Cookstown 4.

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

CORK HARLEQUINS 6 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2

Anything the men of Farmers Cross can do their women can match. In the battle of the Harlequins the Munster women secured bragging rights with a comfortable win at Harlequins Park. Michelle Barry opened the scoring from open play in the 2nd minute. She made it 2-0 for Cork Harlequins with another goal in the 4th minute. Beth Anne O’Farrell added a third goal in the 5th minute. Rachel O’Shea scored a fourth in the 25th minute. Beth Anne O’Farrell got her second of the match in the 32nd minute for Cork.  Belfast Harlequins trailed 5-0 at half-time.  But they began strongly in the second half and two goals in the 40th and 45th minutes respectively by Jennifer McAuley cut the deficit  to three as Cork led 5-2 . Emma Cripps 57th minute Penalty corner for Cork left the Munster women 6-2 up at full time. 

GREENFIELDS 2 AVOCA 4

Caro Theunisz opened the scoring for the visitors at Dangan in the 8th minute. Anna Richardson made it 2-0 to Avoca in the 25th minute. Ellie Browne got the hosts on the scoresheet with a goal in the 28th minute and a third Avoca goal in the 30th minute by Lauren Tracey from a converted penalty corner left the Dubliners 3-1 up at half-time. Alice Keogh scored for Greenfields to reduce the deficit to a single goal in the 46th minute but Sarah Gardiner’s 66th minute goal was enough to secure the win for Avoca by 4-2 

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

MUCKROSS 2 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 2

Nancy Browne opened the scoring for Muckross in the 14th minute from open play.  Robyn Murphy equalised for UCC in the 30th minute to make it 1-1 at half time. Daisy Costello gave Muckross the lead in the 44th minute and Jane Murphy equalised for the visitors in the 53rd minute converting a penalty corner to make the final score 2-2

ARDS 3  LURGAN 1

Lydia McNeill opened the scoring for the visitors at Londonderry Park in only the 3rd minute. 1-0 to Lurgan. Ellen Robinson scored in the 14th minute to level matters. She got her second of the match in the 31st minute to give Ards a 2-1 lead. They sealed the win when Naomi Grundie converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute sealing a 3-1 win.

Hockey Volunteers Recognised in National Volunteers in Sports Awards Ceremony

Cathryn Watson – Ballymoney HC

Ruth McDonagh – Bray HC

Sally Kavanagh – Waterford HC

Thursday February 29, Dublin: Hockey was well represented today as the Federation of Irish Sport honoured its list of recipients for the 2023 Volunteers in Sports Awards.

Three of our very own took to the stage to receive their awards as County recipients, and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication to hockey and their well-deserved honour. Please be upstanding for:

  • Cathyrn Watson, Ballymoney Hockey Club – Antrim
  • Sally Kavanagh, Waterford Hockey Club – Waterford
  • Ruth McDonagh, Bray Hockey Club – Wicklow

The awards, celebrating the depth and breadth of volunteering in sporting communities nationwide, included as special guest speaker, Minister Thomas Byrne, Minster of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education, which is testament to the commitment at government level to supporting and recognising the vital role of volunteers in advancing sports participation and community development.

With a record-breaking number of entries, the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards saw nominations from over 50 different sporting disciplines, highlighting the widespread impact of volunteering ranging from mass participation sports to new and emerging sports.

Cathyrn, Sally and Ruth represent the dedication, values and support of all volunteers throughout hockey without whom our sport couldn’t survive let alone thrive. Congratulations to our three superstars and our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers across our hockey community.

Sports Pro Travel joins the Hockey Ireland family as Official Travel Partner 

 

29 February 2024, Dublin: Hockey Ireland are pleased to announce its new partnership with Sports Pro Travel. The partnership presents Sports Pro Travel as the ‘Official Travel Partner” of Hockey Ireland and incorporates the support and provision of travel services for Hockey Ireland’s High-Performance teams.

The partnership also paves the way for the provision of travel services across the wider hockey community including benefits to Clubs and Members, as well as the development of fan travel packages and related products and services.

Commenting on the new partnership, Anne McCormack, Hockey Ireland CEO commented:

“We have been working with Sports Pro Travel for a number of months now and we have been very impressed by their competitiveness, the level of their service, and their knowledge of sport-related travel requirements. We are constantly looking for ways to support the wider hockey community and offer relevant services and benefits, and it therefore made sense for us to move the engagement to the next level and have Sports Pro Travel join us as our travel partner. We look forward to working closely with them to develop relevant travel services and exciting experiences for our hockey community in the years ahead.”

Sports Pro Travel have converted their individual passion for sport into a thriving business with a team focus on managing all aspects of sporting professional’s travel requirements. Offering a 24/7 dedicated in-house service, they are the preferred travel partner for many high profile teams across the UK and Ireland. Through their partner business, Sports Entertainment Tours, there is also a sporting events service for fans and supporters.

As part of the agreement, Sports Pro Travel will also become a sponsor of the Hockey Ireland U21 Men’s and Women’s high-performance teams, bringing their support to the development of hockey talent and the Hockey Ireland pathway programme. The partnership is set out for three years and both parties are focused on building areas of mutual interest.

John Boyde, Sports Pro Travel Managing Director, added:

We are delighted to be supporting Hockey Ireland and the wider community with their travel requirements. As an agency we take great pride in delivering an end to end service for our sports clients that is entirely bespoke to meet their ever changing needs. Our team are all sports fans and are looking forward to working with Hockey Ireland. We are grateful to them for entrusting their travel requirements to us.”

A relatively quiet weekend in the top Divisions of the EY Hockey League, with only one fixture in each Division, but a busy programme in EYHL 2 and in cup competitions. Here are the national fixtures for the weekend:

 

SATURDAY MARCH 2ND 2024

MEN’S EYHL DIVISION 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS V YMCA  13:00  GRANGE ROAD

 

WOMEN’S EYHL DIVISION 1

RAILWAY UNION  V LORETO  13:30  PARK AVE.

 

MEN’S EYHL 2 POOL A 

PEMBROKE WANDERERS  V QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY   13:00   SERPENTINE AVE

BANGOR  V BANDON  14:30  BANGOR AURORA

 

MEN’S EYHL 2 POOL B 

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND V COOKSTOWN  12:00  GARRYDUFF

CORK HARLEQUINS  V SOUTH ANTRIM 14:45  HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS

 

WOMEN’S EYHL 2 POOL A

CORK HARLEQUINS  V  BELFAST HARLEQUINS   12:45  HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS

GREENFIELDS  V AVOCA  14:30 DANGAN

 

WOMEN’S EYHL 2 POOL B 

MUCKROSS   V UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK   13:00  MUCKROSS PARK
ARDS V LURGAN  14:30 LONDONDERRY PARK

 

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE QUARTER FINAL SECOND LEG

CI   V PORTRUSH   14.30  CIYMS SPORTS GROUNDS

MIDLETON V LIMERICK   15.00  MIDLETON

 

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE

KILKEEL  V TIPPERARY   14.30  KILKEEL HIGH SCHOOL

WATERFORD V BANGOR  14.00  NEWTOWN SCHOOL

 

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY  JUNIOR CUP

LISNAGARVEY  V THREE ROCK ROVERS  14.30 COMBER ROAD

UCD V BANBRIDGE   14.45  NATIONAL STADIUM, BELFIELD

RATHGAR V CORK  13.00  CHURCH OF IRELAND  HIGH SCHOOL

CORINTHIAN V PORTRANE  11.30  ST. COLUMBA’S COLLEGE

 

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY JUNIOR CUP

RAILWAY UNION V CORK HARLEQUINS   15.30 PARK AVENUE

UCC V PEGASUS  13.00 THE MARDYKE

ULSTER  ELKS  V PEMBROKE WANDERERS   14.30  JORDANSTOWN

LORETO V CATHOLIC INSTITUTE   15.30   BEAUFORT

MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINALS

The World’s Oldest Club Hockey Cup

.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24th, 2024

THREE ROCK ROVERS 5 UCD 3
An eight goal thriller at Grange Road ended with a late consolation goal for UCD who had been trailing 5-2 for a spell. Alastair Empey and Rex Dunlop with two goals apiece and a further goal for Zach Silverman had put Three Rock Rovers in the driving seat. It ended 5-3, Mark Smyth scoring twice for the visitors and Conor Walsh also on the mark for the visitors. Given results elsewhere on the day and that the only other quarter-final is an all-Ulster affair between Instonians and Cookstown, Rovers are the only non-Ulster side left in the competition.

The other 2 quarter-finals on Saturday results were as follows :

LISNAGARVEY 4 YMCA 1

GLENANNE 1 BANBRIDGE 3

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25th, 2024

INSTONIANS  1 COOKSTOWN 4

Cookstown defeated Instonians to reach the last four of the Men’s Irish Senior Cup. This added to their clinching of Ulster Men’s Premier League title last weekend has made this a very good 10 days for Cookstown. Cookstown were awarded a penalty corner early on, but Instonians’ keeper Marney Finlay saved it. Despite this, they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end, thanks to a hat-trick for eliminating EYHL opposition in the process.

This win confirms the four teams in the draw for the semi-finals as: Banbridge, Cookstown, Lisnagarvey and Three Rock Rovers.

WOMEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINALS

.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25th, 2024

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 3 QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 0

Catholic Institute beat Queens University 3-0 at Risbrien on Sunday afternoon. Two first half goals by Leah Clery had them 2-0 up by half-time Naomi Carroll added another in the second to see the 2022 Cup winners into the semi-finals of this year’s competition.

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 0 UCD 4

A scoreless first half was prevented by a single goal when Leah O’Shea converted a penalty corner for UCD in  the 31st minute.  It was 1-0 at half time.  A scoreless third quarter was followed by a busy fourth. Emma Paul led the way for UCD with a converted penalty corner in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 to UCD. UCD were awarded a penalty stroke in the 58th minute to make it 3-0 and Anna McCarthy converted another penalty corner in the 64th minute to send the 2020 winners into the last four on a 4-0 scoreline.

LORETO 5 ULSTER ELKS 3

Another eight-goal thriller at Beaufort. Jessica McMaster put Ulster Elks 1-0 ahead from a penalty corner. Loreto responded scoring three on the bounce, two goals from Rachel Kelly and one from Mia Jennings to lead 3-1. Bethany Harper got one back from a penalty corner to make it 3-2. There were further goals for Loreto by Yasmin Pratt and Emma Pasley and Jessica McMaster got her second penalty corner for Elks to leave the final score Loreto 5 Ulster Elks 3.

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY

.
On Saturday in this competition there were wins for Glenanne and Lisnagarvey.  The results as follows :-

LISNAGARVEY 2 MOSSLEY 0

GLENANNE 2 DUNGANNON 1

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY

.
Only one tie down for decision this all Ulster clash between North Down and Belfast Harlequins ended in a win for the home side.

NORTH DOWN 3 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2