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Hockey Ireland Senior Men accept invitation to join the FIH Pro League

Hockey Ireland is pleased to accept an invitation from the International Hockey Federation, FIH, for the Ireland Men’s Senior Squad to join the FIH Hockey Men’s Pro League next season.
Ireland finished runners-up to South Africa in the inaugural FIH Nations Cup tournament last November, losing a thrilling final 4-3.

It meant South Africa gained promotion to the Pro League for 2023-2024 replacing the nation that will finish bottom at the end of the current season.
However South Africa have decided not to take up their place and as runners-up in the Nations Cup, Ireland have been invited by the FIH to replace them and have chosen to do so. The 2023-2024 Pro League season will likely get underway in October and Ireland can expect games against the recently crowned World Champions Germany and Olympic gold medal winners Belgium as well as other hockey powerhouses such as Australia and India and closer to home Great Britain.

Before that Ireland will host Division 2 of the EuroHockey Championships in July at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, looking to claim a place in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for Paris 2024.

Commenting on the announcement, Hockey Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said: “This announcement comes at a very exciting time for Irish Hockey, as we look to grow participation in the game and compete at the highest level on the international stage. The fact that our Senior Men are now competing in World Hockey’s Pro League against eight top Hockey teams from around the world is a testament to all the hard work to date and is aligned with our High-Performance strategy and objectives”.

“As we continue our Olympic qualification campaign, we have a very busy year ahead with the EuroHockey Championships in Abbotstown in July offering a perfect opportunity for Irish Hockey fans to come along and watch the team in full international action.”

Mark Tumilty, Ireland Men’s Head Coach can’t wait to get started in the Pro League. “We are delighted this has come about. It’s a big opportunity for us and for men’s hockey in Ireland. It’s a massive challenge for us but I’ve said many times before that for Ireland to move forward in world hockey we need to be playing competitive games against the top nations. To have the chance now to play sixteen games against the top countries in the world will give our programme added purpose and focus.”

Hockey’s world governing body the FIH also commented: “Whilst we will miss South Africa in the next season, we know that the South African Hockey Association firmly intends to join the FIH Hockey Pro League as soon as possible. Therefore, this is just a matter of time. Meanwhile, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Irish men’s team and we can’t wait to see them perform in the League next season!”

POTCHEFSTROOM – FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup South Africa 2022
WORLDSPORTPICS COPYRIGHT FRANK UIJLENBROEK

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What to look out for this Week – Preview 4

EY Hockey League 1 & 2 continue this Saturday.

Fixtures

Saturday 11th February

EYHL 1 – Round 12

Women 

Belfast Harlequins v Monkstown, Deramore Park, 14:30 

Ards v Pegasus, Londonderry Park, 14:30 

 

Men 

Glenanne v TRR, St Andrews College, 13:30 

Annadale v YMCA, Lagan College, 14:30 

Lisnagarvey v Banbridge, Comber Road, 15:00 

Instonians v Monkstown, Shawbridge, 15:00 

Pembroke Wanderers v Cookstown, Serpentine Avenue, 16:00 

EYHL 2 – Round 6

Women Pool A 

Avoca v UCC, Avoca, 14:30 

University of Galway v Muckross, NUIG, 13:50 

 

Women Pool B 

Ballymoney v Galway, Joey Dunlop Centre, 13:00 

Corinthian v Cork Harlequins, St Columbas College, 13:15 

Men Pool A 

Cork Church of Ireland v Queens, Garryduff, 13:00 

 

Men Pool B 

UCD v Avoca, UCD, 14:30 

Kilkeel v South Antrim, Kilkeel High School, 14:30 

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Railway Union & Three Rock Rovers win the Indoor Title

Three Rock Rovers and Railway Union win the National Indoor Finals at the Antrim Forum.

In the men’s final, Three Rock Rovers defeated Monkstown 8-7 in the game’s last play. Railway Union defeated Ards 3-0 in the women’s final.

Three Rock Rovers Winners of the Irish Indoor Championship 2023

Railway Union Winners of the Irish Indoor Championship 2023

All results from Sunday’s games.

Semi-Finals
Ards 9-4 University of Galway
Railway Union 8-0 Glenanne
Monkstown 7-1 Queens University
Cookstown 4-9 Three Rock Rovers
3rd & 4th Place
University of Galway 1-5 Glenanne
Queens University 2-7 Cookstown
Final
Ards 0-3 Railway Union
Monkstown 7-8 Three Rock Rovers

 

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What to look out for this Week – Preview 3

The National Indoor Finals are all to play for this Sunday.

Fixtures

Saturday 4th February

EYHL 1 – Round 11
MEN

Monkstown v Lisnagarvey, Rathdown, 14:15
TRR v Pembroke Wanderers, Grange wood, 13:00
YMCA v Glenanne, YMCA, 14:15
Cookstown v Banbridge, Cookstown, 14:30
Annadale v Instonians, Lurgan College, 14:30

WOMEN
Ards v Belfast Harlequins, Londonderry Park, 14:30
Pegasus v Pembroke Wanderers, Queens University, 16:15

National Indoor Final

Sunday 5th February
Women
Ards v University of Galway, Antrim Forum, 09:30 am
Railway Union v Glenanne, Antrim Forum, 10:45 am

Men
Monkstown v Annadale, Antrim Forum, 12:00 pm
Cookstown v TRR, Antrim Forum, 13:15

Womens 3rd v 4th, Antrim Forum, 14:20
Mens 3rd v 4th, Antrim Forum, 15:00

Womens Final, Antrim Forum, 16:50
Mens Final, Antrim Forum, 17:00

Irish Junior Cup

Fixtures
Women – Saturday 4th February
Cork Harlequins v Railway Union, Harlequins Park, 12:45
Avoca v Ashton, Newpark, 14:30

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National Indoor Finals – Sunday 5th February

The National Indoor champions will be decided on Sunday evening with four men’s and four women’s clubs vying for glory in Antrim Forum. We welcome all supporters.​

The series starts on Sunday morning with the women’s semi-finals between Ards against University of Galway at 9.30 am with Railway Union up against Glenanne at 10.45 am. The winners will advance to the final at 3.50 pm with the third-place playoff at 2.20 pm. The women’s semis follow on the court with Monkstown up against Annadale (12 pm) and Cookstown facing Three Rock Rovers (1.15 pm) with the result of a 5 pm final with the third place match at 3 pm.​

Match Schedule:​

9.30 Am – Ards v University of Galway – Ladies’
10.45 Am – Railway Union v Glenanne – Ladies’
12 pm- Monkstown v Annadale – Men’s
1.15 pm – Cookstown v Three Rock Rovers – Men’s
2.20 pm – Ladies’ 3rd v 4th
3 pm – Men’s 3rd v 4th
3.50 pm – Ladies’ Final
5 pm – Men’s Final

​Full programme will be posted here.

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Loreto move to the top with a 7-1 win

LORETO 7-1 ARDS

On a perfect day for hockey in Rathfarnham, what a performance by Loreto as they brushed aside the Northern challenge from Ards and produced their biggest win of the season so far.

Following the draw between UCD and Catholic Institute earlier in the day, Loreto knew that a win and 3 goals scored would be enough to put them top of the table for the first time this season. They went four goals better than that in a champagne display of attacking hockey.

It started so brightly with a lead goal in the opening minute. Yasmin Pratt’s solo run and shot giving her team the perfect start as she easily beat Naomi McKnight in the Ards goal.

After that it was a very close match for most of the first half. Ards are best on the break and used that tactic well. Their equalizer was deserved and a fine goal it was. Amy Benson’s dangerous cross from the right too hot for Lorna Bateman in the Loreto goal. Sophie Kidd’s clever touch setting up the always dangerous Zara Malseed for her 9th goal of the campaign.

Just before the half-time break, Christina Hamill showed her International quality as she won the ball, squeezed past two defenders and slotted home to give Loreto a narrow lead – and from there to the end of the match the result was never in doubt.

Five wonderful second half goals gave Loreto their biggest win of the season: from a penalty corner, Sarah Torrans scored from a narrow angle to make it 3-1; Aoife Taaffe got number four after Rachel Kelly went close; it was 4-1 at ¾ time.

The final quarter only got better for the Rathfarnham team as Ards were stretched to breaking point. Three magnificent goals from open play showed the gulf in class between the top and bottom of the EYHL.
Christina Hamill set up Sarah Torrans for number 5; Jasmin Pratt’s delightful pass put Síofra O’Brien clean through for number 6; and Rachel Kelly rounded off this magnificent display with a very well taken goal.

Six different scorers for Loreto bodes well for their confidence as they start their second half of the campaign at Monkstown next week. For relegation-threatened Ards it could be a real battle to avoid the drop – but they have some fine attacking players in Amy Benson, Sophie Kidd and Zara Malseed – they just need to concentrate on their next match against Belfast Harlequins.

EYHL Women’s 1st Division

UCD 1-1 Catholic Inst
Loreto 7-1 Ards
Old Alex 2-1 Monkstown
Railway 2-3 Pegasus
Belfast H 0-2 Pembroke Wdrs

In the other games in EYHL Women’s 1st Division, the league leaders were held by the Students in Belfield so Loreto’s big win pushes them top of the table on goals scored with just two points separating the top three.
Railway Union and Pegasus played out a five-goal thriller in Park Avenue: Lily and Kate Lloyd getting the goals for Railway. But Katie McKee, Sophie McDowell and a Pamela Glass winner enough to take all 3 points north.
Old Alex had a narrow win over Monkstown and that keeps them very much in the title race, just five points back but with a game in hand.

EYHL Men’s 1st Division

Pembroke Wdrs 1-6 Monkstown
Banbridge 2-1 YMCA
Instonians 1-1 Three Rock Rvs
Lisnagarvey 7-3 Cookstown
Glenanne 4-3 Annadale

EYHL 2 – Round 5

Men (Pool A)
Cork Church of Ireland 5-2 Cork Harlequins
Railway Union 2-6 Corinthian

Men (Pool B)
Kilkeel 2-5 Bandon
UCD 6-2 South Antrim

Women (Pool A)
Muckross 0-2 UCC, Muckross
Ulster Elks 2-3 Avoca, UUJ

Women (Pool B)
Cork Harlequins 2-3 Queens
Corinthian 2-0 Galway

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Park Developments extend Hockey Ireland agreement as Ireland Senior Women’s squad prepares to travel to South America

DUBLIN 30 Jan 2023: Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce a four-year extension to its current agreement with Park Developments, one of Ireland’s leading Property Development Groups, for continued investment in Irish Women’s Hockey.

It comes as the Ireland Senior Women’s squad prepares to travel to South America for a series of games against Argentina and Chile.

Park Developments’ initial agreement was signed in 2019 for four years and this continued investment in the success and development of the women’s squad comes as they begin the road to the Paris Olympics.

The financial investment will also be used to fund the Hockey Ireland Hockey4All inclusion programme and the Hockey4All National Representative Team.

The programme aims to offer young people with disabilities an opportunity to become part of the local hockey community, to keep healthy (socially, mentally and physically) and have fun in a team sport.

Commenting on the agreement Park Developments Director Jilly Cotter said,

“We are delighted to renew our support for the Irish Women’s Hockey team and to reinforce our commitment to this incredible group of Hockey players until 2027. Our investment is focused on direct athlete support by way of bursaries to assist them in their daily lives and to support them to perform at the highest level on the global stage. We are also delighted to expand our support to include the “Hockey4All” Program as a key area for development within the Hockey family, by supporting young people with disabilities and giving them an opportunity to play and enjoy the game.”

Ireland Women’s Head Coach Sean Dancer has included uncapped Loreto defender Caitlin Sherin in a squad of nineteen to travel to Argentina and Chile.

Katie McKee from Pegasus returns to the panel after missing out on the Nations Cup in Valencia before Christmas.

Tokyo Olympians Ayeisha McFerran, Deirdre Duke and Sarah Torrans are unavailable.

“This extension underlines the very supportive and engaged partnership we have shared with Park Developments since 2019 and it complements the unprecedented successes of our Senior Women’s International Team, with their first ever Olympic qualification in 2020 and history making World Cup silver medal in 2018” said Hockey Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy.

“The addition of support for our Hockey4All programme comes at an important time also, as we look to expand our inclusion initiative by moving into more Clubs and forming more teams. We very much look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Park Developments as new and exciting times for Hockey Ireland lie ahead.”

Squad List:
1 Elizabeth MURPHY
2 Holly MICKLEM
3 Róisín UPTON (VC)
4 Elena TICE
5 Caitlin SHERIN
6 Sarah McAULEY
7 Ellen CURRAN
8 Hannah McLOUGHLIN
9 Caoimhe PERDUE
10 Kathryn MULLAN (C)
11 Sarah HAWKSHAW
12 Michelle CAREY
13 Charlotte BEGGS
14 Christina HAMILL
15 Katie McKEE
16 Niamh CAREY
17 Naomi CARROLL
18 Zara MALSEED
19 Siofra O’BRIEN

Glencairn Gate, Leopardstown, Co Dublin 30/1/2023
Park Developments announces a four-year extension to its current agreement with Hockey Ireland until 2027, a significant boost to the continued investment in Irish Women’s Hockey since 2018 and in the buildup to Paris 2024 and beyond
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

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What to look out for this Week – Preview 2

Loreto v Ards will be streamed on Hockey Ireland’s YouTube page here.

EYHL 1 – Round 10 – Fixtures
Saturday 28th January

MEN

Pembroke v Monkstown, Serpentine Avenue,14:30
Banbridge v YMCA, Havelock Park, 14:45
Lisnagarvey v Cookstown, Comber Road, 15:00
Instonians v TRR, Shawsbridge, 15:00
Glenanne v Annadale, St Andrew’s College, 15:15

WOMEN

Loreto v Ards, Loreto, 14:45
UCD v Catholic Institue, Belfield, 13:00
Old Alex v Monkstown, Alexandra College, 13:30
Belfast Harlequins v Pembroke, Deramore Park, 14:30
Railway Union v Pegasus, Park Avenue, 15:30

EYHL 2

**EYHL 2 – Round 5**
Men (Pool B)
Kilkeel v Bandon, Kilkeel High School, 14:30
UCD v South Antrim, Belfield, 14:30

Men (Pool A)
Cork Church of Ireland v Cork Harlequins, Garryduff,13:30
Railway Union v Corinthian, Park Avenue, 13:30

Women (Pool A)
Muckross v UCC, Muckross, 13:30
Ulster Elks v Avoca, UUJ, 14

Women (Pool B)
Cork Harlequins v Queens, Harlequins Park, 12:45
Corinthian v Galway, St Columbas Collage, 13:15

Interprovincial  – Fixtures
Sunday 29th January

U16 Boys
Munster v Ulster, Abbotstown, 11:30

U18 Boys
Munster v Ulster, Abbotstown, 13:45

U21 Boys
Munster v Ulster, Abbotstown, 16:00

 

Irish Hockey Challenge – Fixtures
Wednesday 28th January

Men
Mullingar v Limerick, Mullingar, 13:00

 

Irish Junior Cup – Fixtures
Saturday 28th January

Men
Banbridge v YMCA, Havelock Park, 13:00

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Catholic Institute fightback to deny gutsy Monkstown – EY Hockey League

Catholic Institute 2-2 Monkstown

League leaders Catholic institute had to perform a second half comeback, against an impressive Monkstown in Limerick. Goals from Sophie Moore and Rebecca Carthy looked to be enough for a fourth Monkstown win of the season, but quick-fire goals from Leah Clery and Ciara Moloney pushed Institute onto 20-points after nine rounds of action.

The Dublin side led early in the second half and looked certain to inflict just a second defeat of the season on their hosts. Their display was built on a strong work ethic and an organised defensive structure, key to that was the outstanding Orla Young-Hughes.

But, when the need was greatest, Institute found near their best, in a largely sub-par display. They were led by Naomi Carroll, who was influential, though Roisin Upton’s absence was perhaps most notable.

After a scrappy opening 10 minutes or so, Monkstown opened the scoring. Chloe Watkins, who was Player of the Match, dribbled hard at the home defence and her cross was flicked to the net by the diving Sophie Moore.

At the other end, young goalkeeper Martha Duignan was comfortable when stopping a brace of efforts from Naomi Carroll. Her first was a cross that could have been diverted, the second, was an under-strength attempt from the first penalty corner of the contest. Monkstown, who’d the second poorest defence in the opening eight games of the season, was comfortable keeping the Limerick side at bay in the first half.

They quickly set about doubling their lead. As with so much of their good attacking play on the day, it was 200-cap midfielder Watkins who was at the heart of it. Natasha Toomey was set clear by Watkins, her early shot looked by certain to cross the line but Carthy made sure by tapping home from two-yards out.

The reply didn’t come until Watkins received a green card. Institute took this advantage through Clery, almost immediately. Captain Eimear Ryan delivered from just outside the circle, and with the aid of a couple of deflections, the ball found Clery who scrambled beyond Duignan. Suddenly, extending their unbeaten run to eight games, appeared possible again.

An equaliser came and it was from a penalty corner, with the telling touch coming – three goals in one quarter and the game level, it was now all to play for in the final period.

This game came to a frantic conclusion with Roisin Begley and Watkins having a chance at either end, with both just inches away from connecting with a pass and finding what would have been the match-winner. Neither side could find the winner and had to settle for draw.

In the end, there was some frustration for Catholic Institute at two points dropped, knowing that Loreto and UCD will be looking to overhaul them at the top of the league in the second half of the season.

While Simon Lowry’s youthful side will be disappointed to led a two-goal lead slip, they were delighted to take a point away to league leaders, who’ve conceded just nine times in as many outings

Elsewhere in the EYHL Womens’ Division One, UCD were able to get closer to the summit, winning 2-1 at home to Peagusus in Belfield. A goal in either half, from Michelle Carey and Leah O’Shea helped them move to within two points of Catholic Institute – a side who they’ll host later in the season.

Ards against Old Alex and Railway Union’s clash with Belfast Harlequins were postponed due to frozen pitches.

EHYL Men

Monkstown 5-0 Cookstown
Midtable Monkstown sealed their second victory of the season, when thrashing winless Cookstown. They led 2-0 at half-time, thanks to efforts from Rory Nichols and Geoff Cole. The same two were on target in a dominant second half, while Jeremy Duncan also put his name on the scoresheet in Rathdown.

League leaders Banbridge’s clash with third-placed Glenanne was postponed.

YMCA 4-0 Instonians
YMCA put four past Instonians in their first game of 2023. Goals from Ed Collins, Ross Henderson, Grant Glutz and Tom Power.

Pembroke Wanderers 1 – 4 Annadale
Goals from S Pinion, M Robson, D Tremlet and W Aston for Annadale to take the win over Pembroke.

Lisnagravey travelled to Dublin to win a close fight against Three Rock Rovers.
TRR 2 (James Walker, Ali Empey) Lisnagarvey 3 (Andrew Williamson 2, Andy Edgar)

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