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Sports Energy Support Scheme

In November, Sport Ireland opened the application process for €35 million of funding in response to the rising energy costs crisis. The purpose of the funding, secured as part of Budget 2023, was to support National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and their affiliated Clubs with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport throughout the winter period.

Hockey Ireland subsequently engaged all our Clubs with the application process, and we are pleased to announce that thirty (30) successful Clubs have met the eligibility criteria. These eligible Clubs will be contacted in the coming days with details of how they can draw down the allocated funding.

We would like to thank Sport Ireland and the Government for this vital support mechanism on behalf of all our Clubs. 

Any questions on the funding can be submitted to info@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com

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Dormant Accounts Funding

Sport Ireland has announced an increased general spending package of €5.5m in Dormant Accounts Funding for a wide range of sport and physical activity areas, including Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Fund activities and Disability Sports measures.

The funding will impact communities across Ireland through the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and their affiliated Clubs, as well as the extensive network of funded bodies and Local Sports Partnerships.

The investment builds on Sport Ireland’s work in this area to date and aims to expand and enhance the delivery of the Government’s ‘Sport for All’ initiatives along with Sport Ireland’s Diversity & Inclusion, Disability and Women in Sport Policies.

This funding will support Hockey Ireland with the following specific programmes in 2023:

  • Young Hockey Leaders and Young Umpire Award
  • Outreach for refugees and asylum seekers
  • Research aiming to engage female teens (aged 12-15) with hockey in harder to reach areas without hockey facilities.

 

Twenty-one (21) Hockey Clubs have also been awarded funding via the Disability Sports Fund as outlined in the following document: Dormant Account Funding.

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Hawkshaw and Mullan on the mark to send Ireland into Nations Cup semi-final

Ireland kept their cool in the final moments of their last pool match of the Women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Valencia this morning to book their spot in the semi-final on Friday. Second-half goals from Sarah Hawkshaw and Katie Mullan put Ireland two goals in front, but two goals in the last five minutes for Korea gave Ireland fans nerves going into the dying minutes.

Ireland had controlled the game from the pushback, with Korea’s main threat being their counterattack. The girls in green were skilful up front, winning penalty corners with regularity. They went through their routine but with limited effectiveness, Korea defending an array of strikes, drag flicks and deflections in the seven Ireland corners won in the first half.

Korea struggled to get the ball out of defence in the second half as Ireland hunted in the press, winning plenty of ball in the attacking third. Katie Mullan led the charge up front while Michelle Carey and Sarah Torrans made good headway wide on the right of the pitch, the final pass just eluding the Irish. Defensive Irish players, too, began to press forward with Hannah McLoughlin and Ellen Curran making probing runs out of the defending line and creating problems for Korea.

It took nine penalty corners for Ireland to get on the scoreboard. Roisin Upton drag-flicked the initial shot that was saved by goalkeeper Lee; then Ellen Curran saw her shot smothered and kicked up towards Sarah Hawkshaw on the post who tracked it and batted it goalward to put Ireland in front. Sean Dancer’s charges continued to pile on the pressure in the last quarter and a mistake from Lee in goal, who had done so much up to that point to keep her team in the tie, led to her team conceding their second.
A loose ball made it through to the ‘keeper who cleared straight into the path of the oncoming player of the match, Katie Mullan. Lee looked to correct her mistake by coming at Mullan who spotted her chance, sliding the ball past the keeper on her near post.

Korea continued to look for goals, though, and they found some joy late on when they won a penalty corner with four minutes left on the clock. Their drag flick found the leg of Elena Tice on the line, which led to a penalty stroke. Hyejin Cho sent it high to the left to give her team a glimmer of hope. Korea duly went straight back down the pitch after the Ireland pass back to win another corner and this time Sujin An’s drag flick found the arm of Roisin Upton – the deflection sending it into the Ireland goal with two minutes on the clock and the scores level.

If there were nerves within the Ireland team, however, they were not evident as they expertly ran down the clock, Hannah McLoughlin drawing foul after foul and winning multiple frees to smother any chance of a third and winning goal for Korea – the game-finishing two goals apiece.

The draw puts Ireland into second place in Pool A which means they face the winners of Pool B in the second semi-final on Friday at 2.45 pm. If Ireland can win that match, they go into the final on Saturday at 2.45 pm. The winner of that match wins a spot in the 2023 FIH Pro League.

Head Coach Sean Dancer felt it was the best he’s seen this group play. “The performance overall was extremely pleasing,” he smiled. “It was actually one of the best games I’ve seen this team play – the way that we held onto the ball and controlled the game. It’s obviously very disappointing that it ended 2-2 and we certainly need to look at that last five minutes to make sure we control the game a bit better. We had more than enough opportunities in penalty corner attack to put them away but, overall, I’m really pleased.”

Ireland now looks ahead to Friday. “The opponents in the semi-final will probably be India. They’ll be a really tough opponent but it’s also a great opportunity. What was particularly pleasing today is that, while the senior players played well, the younger players really stepped up and at stages, they took their chances and they hurt Korea.”

Player of the match Katie Mullan says it is a job done, despite drawing a match they feel they should have won. “We wanted to be in the semi-final come the end of the week. We are a wee bit disappointed to concede two goals at the end and leave it at a draw because I think we dominated the game and we had the better chances,” she admits. “Korea were clinical in big moments and in penalty corners and we just need to learn from those moments going into the semi-final,” she added.

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Ireland v South Africa Spar Indoor Test Series

In Cape Town, Ireland’s indoor women’s hockey team will face the South African women’s team in a six-match SPAR series. In recent years, the two sides have developed a fantastic rivalry, having played 11 tests over two test series, including the series in Dublin in January.

Ireland defeated South Africa in Dublin before losing the series, and they have chosen a squad with the goal of growing on the indoor courts. The six games are as follows;

  • Ireland v South Africa – 15:00 – 15nd December 
  • Ireland v South Africa – 17:00 – 16th December 
  • Ireland v South Africa – 17:00 – 17th December 
  • Ireland v South Africa – 08:00 – 18th December 
  • Ireland v South Africa – 17:00 – 19th December 
  • Ireland v South Africa – 17:00 – 20th December 

Squad List for Spar Indoor test series;

No. Name Caps
1 Emma BUCKLEY (GK) 13
2 Millie REGAN (GK) 18
3 Sarah PATTON 18
4 Laura GRAHAM 7
5 Mikayla POWER 12
6 Orla MACKEN (C) 9
7 Chloe BROWN 17
8 Hannah KELLY 9
9 Orla FOX 24
10 Orla PATTON (C) 23
13 Lily LLOYD 12
14 Amy BENSON 23
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Ireland miss golden opportunity in European Indoor Championship III

Ireland men’s indoor hockey team went into their final match against Italy with the chance to win the European Indoor Championship III in Athienou, Cyprus over the weekend, but it wasn’t to be as Brinsley Powell’s men couldn’t unlock the Italian defence.

Former outdoor international, John Jackson, led the team who began brightly on day one with two wins. It was Cyprus first up for the boys in green on Friday and with four goals from Ross Canning, three for John Jackson, two each for Jody Hosking and Ollie Kidd and one each for Dave Howard and Jack Haycock, Ireland cantered to a 15-1 win. The second game of the day saw Ireland defeat Serbia by 12 goals to two with Canning (3), Jackson (3), Walker (3), Howard (2) and Kidd (1) all on the mark.

Saturday brought two more games, the first against Denmark which was to be Ireland’s first real test. Canning scored twice in a losing battle as Ireland’s defence couldn’t keep out the Danish attack who scored six times to hand Ireland their first loss.

Chasing a positive goal difference, Ireland turned on the after-burners against Greece in their second game of Saturday, scoring no less than 34 times in a punishing outing for the Greeks. Kidd top-scored with eight, while Walker (7), Jackson (5), Howard (5), Hosking (4) and Canning (3) all scored multiples. Richard Couse and Ben O’Grady scored their first goals of the tournament to make it 34 goals to nil.

It was all to play for on the final day and Italy were Ireland’s opponent. After their drubbing of Greece on Saturday, an Ireland victory would see them leapfrog both Italy and Denmark to win the tournament on goal difference with all three sitting on 12 points and one loss each. Italy were too good, though, and Ireland only managed to score once through captain Jackson, while Italy were clinical in front of goal, putting six past Stephen O’Keeffe in goal.

O’Keeffe had reason to celebrate, though, as he came away with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade along with his team’s bronze medal.
It was a disappointing finish for Ireland, but not a costly one as the format of Indoor European competitions will change next year with an A Division of 10 teams, and two equal B Divisions that will be based on seedings and geographic location.

Attention now turns to Ireland’s women’s indoor team who take on South Africa in a six-game series in Cape Town later this month.

 

European Indoor Championship III Results

Ireland 15 v 1 Cyprus John Jackson (3) Ross Canning (4) James Walker (2) Jody Hosking (2) Ollie Kidd (2) Dave Howard (1) Jack Haycock (1)

Ireland 12 v 2 Serbia Ross Canning (3) John Jackson (3) James Walker (3) Dave Howard (2) Ollie Kidd (1)

Ireland 2 v 6 Denmark Ross Canning (2)

Ireland 34 v 0 Greece Ollie Kidd (8) James Walker (7) John Jackson (5) Dave Howard (5) Jody Hosking (4) Ross Canning (3) Richard Couse (1) Ben O’Grady (1)

Ireland 1 v 6 Italy John Jackson (1)

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Heartbreak for Ireland as they falter at final hurdle

It took a final quarter penalty stroke to separate Ireland and South Africa in a pulsating FIH Hockey Nations Cup final that didn’t go Ireland’s way in Potchefstroom this afternoon. Ireland had almost double the shots on goal that South Africa did, but it was the cutting edge that the Irish were missing while the hosts were clinical in this high-stakes match.

Ireland never got in front in an enthralling encounter, although they managed to get back level from a 3-1 deficit in the third quarter to ensure a breathless last quarter. Mark Tumilty’s men spent much of the match chasing the game, but with 10 seconds to go in the third quarter, John McKee scored Ireland’s third to draw things level and give his team a chance to win this historic, inaugural tournament.

An early field goal from South Africa’s skipper knocked the stuffing out of the boys in green when they went behind in the fourth minute. Dayaan Cassiem, who finished the day as player of the match and player of the tournament, found space on the right of the Irish circle, lifted the ball over his defender’s stick and roofed a bouncing ball to give his side an early lead.

Ireland then dominated play with a passing game, but South Africa showed more discipline today than in the encounter between these teams in the group stages. Ireland’s best chance of the first quarter came in the final minute when Jeremy Duncan received with his back to goal, spun and flicked in one movement and Ben Walker almost snuck his touch under the keeper.
Ireland continued their passing game in the second period, and it was a passing move that saw them win their first corner which Shane O’Donoghue duly scored. The defender’s sublime drag flick was too quick for Hendrik Kriek in the South Arica goal as he was simply beaten for pace.

It was a final for the ages with end-to-end hockey, both teams showing prowess with their overhead delivery and one-on-one skills. Cassiem was in the mood and he created another moment of brilliance when he received on the left of Ireland’s circle, juggled past a handful of defenders and committed David Fitzgerald in goals before, incredibly, hitting fresh air and squandering a gilt-edged chance. Cassiem made up for his earlier mistake, though, again finding a yard of space, backing into the circle and firing a bullet into the right corner on his reverse to give his team the lead again.

South Africa will be forgiven for thinking they had earned themselves some breathing space, then, when in the first minute of the second half, Tevin Kok produced the play of the game after incredible skill from Keenan Horne. Horne had controlled a short overhead just outside the Ireland circle before juggling past a couple of defenders. Kok then dinked over his defender’s stick before a double lift just made it over Fitzgerald’s shoulder to make it three goals to one in South Africa’s favour.

Credit must go to Tumilty’s charges, though. They didn’t panic, continuing to put pressure on the hosts, and when John McKee was denied from close range, he did well to see what most did not – a South Africa back-stick in the circle. He opted to use Ireland’s referral and the penalty corner was duly given. O’Donoghue gave Ireland hope when he fired another rocket into the top right corner, this time almost taking the glove of Kriek with it into the goal.

The score might have been much higher as each side seemed to score the more difficult goals, and miss the more clear-cut chances, but it was a moment of luck that saw Ireland level things up. Jeremy Duncan received in midfield and found McKee who drifted into the circle and swept what was probably a pass for an Ireland deflection. Instead, he found the stick of a South African defender and the resulting deflection wrong-footed the keeper to make it three apiece going into the final quarter.

But in the end, it was an Irish mistake that led to the winner for South Africa with 10 minutes to go. South Africa won the ball in the midfield and when Cassiem was through on goal, a foul from behind gave the umpire no choice but to award a penalty stroke. Mustaphaa Cassiem, Dayaan’s brother, sent Fitzgerald the wrong way and slotted into the right corner.

As the clock ran down, Ireland played with patience, but South Africa managed the game well, thwarting everything Ireland threw at them. The hosts were good value for their first victory over Ireland and their first place in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup.

Ireland captain Sean Murray was understandably distraught after the match. “Just gutted, to be honest, really gutted. Credit to South Africa, they were good today; they took their chances. We put a lot of pressure on, had some good chances as well but in the end, it just comes down to little details and it’s just bitterly disappointing.”

Even after a devastating loss, Murray spoke of his team’s bright future. “We have a young group coming together; we’ve made a lot of progress in the last few months, especially,” he said. “We have a lot more to give, I think. We just need to get through the next few months and regroup, get back together, and push on,” he finished.

Coach Mark Tumilty feels his team had the winning of the match. “We had enough chances to get something out of that game but that’s sometimes the way that it goes at this level,” he admitted. “We got punished by a very clinical South Africa side. Overall, it was an excellent tournament and something for the Senior Men to build on.”

Tumilty was philosophical after a frustrating day: “It’s a disappointing result, and the opportunity to play in the FIH Pro League would have been fantastic, not just for the senior men’s team, but for hockey in Ireland. However, I think this group of players can look back on this week with great pride. We certainly have made huge progress and it’s now an opportunity to kick on in 2023 and beyond.”

Ireland’s senior women are in action next when they look to go one better than their male counterparts in the Women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup. That tournament begins on December 11th.

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Magnificent Ireland book historic Nations Cup Final berth

A flawless third quarter led by Ireland captain and player of the match Sean Murray brought Ireland to within 60 minutes of a maiden FIH Pro League berth as they beat Malaysia comfortably in the semi-final of the Nations Cup this morning.

A moment of magic in the 41st minute from Ben Walker was the catalyst for an incredible final third from the boys in green. Walker made a chance from nothing, dinking the ball over his defender’s stick before he spun and blasted an unsavable snapshot into the top right corner. Jeremy Duncan backed that goal up with two superb finishes as Ireland looked ice-cold in front of the goal in a must-win match.

The first half was littered with classy skills going forward for both teams as well as last-ditch tackles that were punished with regular cards. The teams had clearly done their homework, as the two penalty corner attacks looked somewhat toothless and plenty of opportunities were shot wide, although Lee Cole did save well on the line for the second Malaysia penalty corner – making the most of his cricketing background to help the ball around the corner and out of play.

The game opened up for Ireland as the first quarter wore on, with a clear game plan to suck Malaysia into the pockets in midfield, before making use of the space on the, paying dividends. Malaysia altered tactics at the break and had their most commanding period of the game in the second quarter, drawing plenty of unforced errors from Ireland. Malaysia had chances but will be left to rue errors in the circle as they mistrapped the ball in front of the goal, as well as running the ball over the end line with almost criminal regularity.

The game remained scoreless at half-time with the commentators noting that it was a match-up of Malaysia’s skills versus the organisation of Ireland; but it was the skills of Walker that brought out the creativity in his team as Ireland bossed the game from that point on.

It was an entertaining match to watch if you were an Irish supporter with plenty of silky skills and breath-taking pinpoint passes from the boys in green; no skills more impressive than the first finish from Jeremy Duncan just two minutes after Ireland had scored their first. Ireland had a three-on-four in the circle, but incredibly Duncan found himself free in front of the goal with the ball on the end of his stick. His quick release with a flick of the wrists was too fast for the ‘keeper as he found the right inside post to double the lead.

Duncan’s second, eight minutes from time, all but assured his side of their spot in the final. Conor Empey broke down the right and beat his defender on the inside before fluffing a pass going into the circle. He somehow managed to win it back and keep his composure to get his eyes up and find Duncan who controlled and shot home off the left post.

Malaysia had a good period with five minutes to go, but it was too little, too late, as their penalty corners again came to nothing and Ireland kept a sheet clean.

Player of the match Sean Murray was elated at the final whistle. “Fantastic, it’s just fantastic,” he said. “It’s nice to be player of the match but to be fair to the guys up front, they were awesome today; they took their chances. It’s just a fantastic feeling to go into tomorrow with a great opportunity to qualify for the Pro League.”

POTCHEFSTROOM – FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup South Africa 2022
15 Ireland v Malaysia (Semi-Final)
Picture: Coach TUMILTY Mark celebrates the win.
WORLDSPORTPICS COPYRIGHT FRANK UIJLENBROEK

Head Coach Mark Tumilty was full of praise for his team’s complete performance. “I am delighted with the result today and the performance. It was excellent to see us score three goals from open play. Our corners have been a key part earlier in the tournament but today in the semi-final, I’m thrilled with our finishing from open play,” he said.

Speaking about the team’s tactics, he said: “I think we got it spot on today and a lot of credit needs to go to our new assistant Neville Rothman for how he helped set the team up going into that game. Also, credit to the players with how they implemented what was asked of them. Our defensive game was very good and when we got the opportunity to attack, we delivered that, especially in the second half.”

There is very little time for his team to rest, with the final tomorrow at 1.15 pm, but Tumilty will be treating it like any other match. “Preparing for tomorrow it’s about keeping the routine the same,” he insisted. “There are massive implications for hockey in Ireland if we could get to the FIH Pro League, but our focus is on a performance again – if we can produce a performance, the result hopefully will look after itself.”

Ben Walker’s finish is one that will live long in Irish hockey memory, but Tumilty knew he had it in him. “Benny is the one forward in the country that has a finish like that in him. He may miss easier chances at times but he definitely has that piece of magic that he showed today at a very important stage in the game.”

Speaking about other standout players, the head coach found it difficult to pick out just a couple. “Shane (O’Donoghue) and Ben (Walker) have been excellent. They have both played some of their best hockey in a green shirt in this tournament, especially Sean, but I think Shane moving into the back four has made that much more solid. But I also think it’s worth mentioning the other defenders. The six defenders and two keepers deserve a lot of credit because they give us such a good foundation to defend with also to build from an attacking point of view.”

He finished by saying: “Overall it was a good day, and hopefully tomorrow can be a better one.”

It will be one of Ireland’s best if the Green Machine can go to the well again and summon the strength and inspiration to march on and win the final of the historic Inaugural Men’s Hockey Nation’s Cup and take the coveted spot in the 2023 FIH Pro League.

They play the host country, South Africa, on December 4th at 1:15 pm. Watch live on the https://watch.hockey/ app.

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EuroHockey Indoor Championships III

Ireland Men travel to Cyprus for the Eurohockey Indoor Championship III. The matches come thick and fast with Ireland playing twice on Friday against Cyprus and Serbia at 10.45 am and 4 pm respectively, and then Denmark and Greece on Saturday at 11.45 am and 5.15 pm respectively. Their final group game comes on Sunday against Italy at 11.30 am.

Squad List for EuroHockey Indoor Championships III:

Jakim Bernsden – YMCA HC
Ross Canning – Three Rock Rovers HC
Jack Haycock – Cookstown HC
Jody Hosking – Three Rock Rovers HC
David Howard  – Corinthian HC
John Jackston – Team Bath HC
Ollie Kidd – Lisnagarvey HC
Jason Lynch – Monkstown HC
Stephen OKeeffe – Railway Union HC
Ben OGrady – YMCA HC
Rory Patterson – Wimbledon HC
James Walker – Three Rock Rovers HC
Non Travelling Reserves
Richard Couse – Glenanne HC
Craig Mackay – Corinthian HC

 

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President’s Newsletter November, 2022

 

President’s Newsletter, November 2022

 

 

 

 

The last two months have been most enjoyable and worth recording. With the help of Nick McElwee, Interim CEO and Pamela Bastable, I arranged for the annual Honorary Life Members’ Lunch to take place on Friday 30th September in the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan. Despite the dreadful weather, many of the members travelled quite a distance to be there.

After the welcome, a minute’s silence was observed to remember members of the hockey family who had passed away in recent months. Dixon Rose sadly was one and as an Honorary Life Member, he had been at the Honorary Life Members’ lunch in September 2021.

The occasion gave everyone the opportunity to meet the Interim CEO Nick McElwee and Hockey Ireland Vice President John Dennis expressed our gratitude and thanks for the great work that he has done during his term in office. Pamela Bastable was also thanked for her help in organising the event. The photographs, taken by professional photographer Alwyn Robinson, captured the occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday 22nd October, I represented Hockey Ireland at Banbridge Hockey Club’s 125th Anniversary Ball in the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge.  This was certainly a night to remember with 210 guests and club members sitting down to a superb meal and an after-dinner speech by the Voice of EHL Hockey Nick Ervine. Two members of the Club, Eugene Magee and Matthew Bell were presented special awards of framed Ireland hockey shirts and received standing ovations during the presentations. Family members were present to witness these memorable moments.

Matthew Bell & Eugene Magee                Eugene Magee & Family                                        Matthew Bell & Family

The 40th All Ireland Schoolboys Tournament was held in Cork on 26th – 28th October. It was a very significant year for the competition as it was the 40th anniversary of the tournament, which was first played in 1982 in Bangor, with Bangor Grammar School the hosts. Newry High School were the first winners of the Tasmanian Shield and the 1921 holders were Bandon Grammar School. In 2019 Kilkenny College presented a shield in memory of the late Herbie Sharman, who was a great supporter of schools’ hockey and a past President of Hockey Ireland. The four teams that were runner up in the group stages competed in the semi-finals and then the final. The 2021 holders were Wesley College.

Organised and hosted by Ashton School 16 schools took part. Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School, Midleton College and Newtown School represented Munster, High School, The King’s Hospital School, Wesley College, St. Andrew’s College and Sutton Park School, Leinster and Bangor Grammar School, Banbridge Academy, Cookstown High School, Friends School. Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper and Wallace High School, Ulster. Six venues were used over the three days with the finals played at UCC.

A tradition of this event is the dinner on the Thursday evening, when the teams are in school uniform.  Over 300 players, team officials and guests sat down to a very good meal in the Rochestown Hotel. The after-dinner speaker was John Smyth who started the tournament in 1982 and gave a very interesting talk on its history.

                                                                                                                                                                              Banbridge Academy                                                                                                Royal Belfast Academical Institution

On 29th & 30th October I attended the Intervarsities Tournament at Trinity Sportsgrounds in Santry, Dublin.  It was an excellent event, organised by Marcus Blake and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.  There were great matches to watch, with some closer than others and all played in a sporting and competitive manner. Congratulations to all the teams that took part and to the winners of the Men’s Competition, UCD who defeated Dublin Technological University 4-3 and to Dublin Technological University who won the Women’s final in a close match against UCD which ended in a shoot -out competition. I would like to congratulate Marcus Blake on not only organising the event but also umpiring numerous matches and coaching the winning women’s team.

Meanwhile in the sunshine of South Africa and Tokyo, the Ireland Women’s and Men’s Masters Teams were playing in their respective World Tournaments. Congratulations to the Women’s O55s on winning the bronze medal and to the Men’s O65 on their silver medal success.

It has been an honour to be Hockey Ireland President and as I write my last newsletter as President, I would like to congratulate John Dennis on his incoming Presidency and thank both John and Martin Canniffe, President 2018-2020, for all the help and support they have given me when I was Vice President and President. John and Ivy Dennis are the first husband and wife to be Hockey Ireland Presidents. A remarkable achievement, very well deserved; well done.

Ivy and John Dennis

Ann Rosa

November 2022

 

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Irish Hockey Internationals awarded Trinity Sport Scholars Awards.

Three Irish Hockey athletes among those at Trinity Sports Awards. Well done to all.

Trinity College Dublin Sport Scholars:

Katie Mullan – Hockey

Laura Noble – Hockey

Sam Hickmott – Hockey

 

Trinity Sport unveiled its sport scholars for the 2022 / 23 season on Monday, 21st November at an event for family and friends at the Dining Hall, Trinity College Dublin. This year’s awardees, comprising of 27 Trinity Sports scholars and 33 club academy scholars will represent Trinity this season in a wide variety of sports including rugby, basketball, GAA, rowing and cricket.

Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh presented the awards on the night and Trinity student-athletes Joe McCarthy (International Rugby player), Rebecca Stokell (International Cricket player) and Katie Mullan (International hockey player) took part in a ‘dual career: combining sports and studies’ panel discussion on the night.

Sadhbh Doyle, Gavin Hoey and Harry Sheridan were recognised as Trevor West Sport Scholarship athletes for their contribution to their respective sports at Trinity and outstanding performances. Giulia Anderlini and Niamh Kenny were recognised as K.O Lee Basketball sport scholarship athletes. This is award is in association with Trinity Meteors, this scholarship is in memory of K.O. Lee, Trinity alumnus and coach of the Meteors Ladies Basketball team in the 1970s.

Linda Doyle, Provost, Trinity College Dublin commented on the night, “I would like to congratulate all our student-athletes who are receiving scholarships. It is impressive to see how they balance their commitment to sports with their commitment to their studies. This takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The scholarships will enable our student-athletes to continue to pursue their passion for sport while also benefiting from the excellent educational opportunities at Trinity. I am delighted to celebrate the students’ achievements and award these scholarships in recognition of such exceptional sporting ability.”

Michelle Tanner, Director of Sport and Physical Activity, Trinity College Dublin commented on the night, “We’re delighted to be celebrating the strongest calibre of student-athletes that we’ve had for many years, certainly in the history of the Trinity Sport Scholarship awards programme. It is quite outstanding the number and level of student-athletes that we have in Trinity including international, senior county and academy pathway athletes. We’re very excited about their prospects and potential over the coming months and years.”

Prof. Catherine McCabe, Dean of Students, Trinity College Dublin commented, “To our student-athletes, congratulations on receiving a place on this year’s Trinity Sports Scholarship Programme. This scholarship recognises your achievements so far, and importantly, your potential to go even further. All of you here today come from a wide range of sports, including athletics, basketball, GAA, rowing, cricket, and rugby. It is our commitment to ensure all our student-athletes get the full support and backing of the University to compete regionally, nationally and at international levels while also being able to excel in your academic course.”

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