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Men’s Cup Finals Match Reports

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY FINAL

BELFAST HARLEQUINS 4 CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 2

Belfast Harlequins won the Irish Hockey Trophy at Banbridge on Saturday with an emphatic 4-2 win over Catholic Institute. James Hutchinson put Harlequins 1-0 up on 5 minutes following a penalty corner. David Fraser increased their lead on 22 minutes with a goal from open play.

Institute battled back into the game and Cillian Archer got them on the score sheet in the 29th minute to make it 2-1. Cormac O’Byrne was green carded in the 33rd minute but Belfast didn’t add to their 2-1 first half tally, which was the half time score.

Things got worse for Catholic Institute, early in the third quarter, when they conceded a penalty stroke which Harlequins captain Michael Patterson converted on 36 minutes to leave the score 3-1. Less than a minute later Patrick Jack added a fourth to make it 4-1. Stephen McGrath of Harlequins was green carded in the 52nd minute giving Insta a man advantage for a few minutes and when he returned to action, Jack Stockil converted a penalty corner for Institute on 56 minutes to make it 4-2. And while there was still time left to retrieve the situation, and Michael Patterson was green carded in the 59th minute for Harlequins, that second goal for Institute proved to be the final goal of the game.

It finished Belfast Harlequins 4 Catholic Institute 2

BELFAST HARLEQUINS: James Acheson, John Metcalfe, Antoine Hirschland, Michael Patterson [capt.], Drew Carlisle, Adam Tweed, James Hutchinson, Matthew Gray, Michael Finlay, Peter Bailey, David Clarke, Patrick Jack, Christopher Lemon, David Fraser, Stephen McGrath, Harry Chapman

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE: Tristan Murphy; Jack Stockil, Gary Acheson, Hugh Walsh, Cormac O’Byrne, Ed Gleeson [capt], Roy Gleeson, Nick Lampp, Cathal Duggan, Ivan Moore, James McCarthy, Cian Nolan, Cillian Archer, Francis Naughton, John Wallace, Colum O’Byrne .

MEN’S IRISH JUNIOR CUP FINAL

BANBRIDGE 2 LISNAGARVEY 2 ( LISNAGARVEY WON 3-2 IN SHOOT OUT)

Banbridge and Lisnagarvey could not be separated after 70 minutes of a closely fought Irish Junior Cup Final at Havelock Park in Banbridge.

Banbridge started well and took a lead in the 9th minute when Matthew Stevenson converted from a penalty corner. Aaron Baxter added a second in the 19th minute to make it 2-0 Banbridge.

Perhaps a two goal lead is the unsafest lead in hockey because two minutes later Lisnagarvey got off the mark through a goal from Matthew Morris. In the 57th minute Harry Archbold got a second goal for Garvey to leave the score 2-2 and there was no further scoring and the game went to a shoot out.

During the shoot out Banbridge converted two of their penalties. Lisnagarvey however converted three of their penalties to seal a 3-2 shoot out win. The Irish Junior Cup is on it’s way to Comber Road.

BANBRIDGE: Elliott Haw, Ben Walker, Matthew Spence, Dylan Cowan , Hugh McShane, William Malcomson, John McCague, David Gallagher, James Evans, Ben Robert Pollock, Matthew McKee, Thomas Edward Dobson, Bruce McCandless, Aaron Baxter, Matthew Stevenson, David McKinlay, Adam Mc Kee

LISNAGARVEY: Matthew McLearnon, Adam McCann, Craig Getty, Matthe McKibbin, Tim Curragh, Harry Archbold, Peter Bland, Andrew Forrest, Mark Raphael, Patrick Watson, Mackenzie Connor, Luke Dennison, Daniel Murray, Max Spence, Matthew Morris, John Cunningham, Phil Stirling

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE CUP FINAL

PORTRUSH 4 SAINTFIELD 0

After two scoreless quarters, early in the third quarter Portrush surged into the lead through a Brent Smith penalty corner after 40 minutes to make it 1-0. Saintfield had Jack Taylor yellow carded in the 46th minute and their suffering was eased somewhat when Brent Smith of Portrush was then green carded in the 48th minute. Saintfield then were reduced to 10 players in the 58th minute temporarily when James Erskine was green carded.

Portrush got their second of the game through Leon Smith also in the 58th minute from a field goal. Adam Scott from Portrush was then green carded in the 63rd minute and while he was temporarily sitting out they increased their lead through a Michael Conway field goal on 64 minutes. Saintfield’s Stuart Hunter received a green card in the 68th minute which meant he missed the remaining minutes of the game and Alastair Reilly got his goal for Portrush almost straightaway to seal a 4-0 win for Portrush and send the Irish Hockey Challenge Trophy to the north coast.

PORTRUSH: Marc Bennett, Brent Smith, Barry Mc Mullan, Ryan Smith, Aaron Kerr, Clive Fulton, Michael Conway, Alastair Reilly, John Dillon, Andy Christie, Callum McKeenan, Adam Scott, Leon Smith, James McElderry, Henry Craig, Andrew Morrison, Phillip Linton

SAINTFIELD: William Heaney, Matthew Sullivan [captain], Jack Taylor, Andrew Kirk, Matt Fraser, Rory Brown, Harry Bell, James Erskine, Doug Barrett, Henry Ward, Cliff Jack, Craig Harkness, Jason Campbell, Alex Miller, Stuart Hunter, James Magee, Thomas Brown;

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Hockey Ireland launches the search for a new CEO

 

Hockey Ireland are launching a search for a new CEO.

 

For further information click HERE

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Hockey Ireland seeks nominations for the EuroHockey Youth Leadership Festival

Hockey Ireland is delighted to be able to send 2 young people (1 male, 1 female aged 18-30) to the 2023 EHF Youth Leadership Festival from 15th-19th August. The event is in collaboration with the DHB and is going to be a week full of motivating workshops, contacts, and friendships with some amazing guest speakers. Hockey Ireland will pay the entry fee, and this includes full board accommodation, tickets to the opening ceremony and we will provide a small travel bursary for the Youth Leaders.

 

The theme for 2023 is “Press Play” – life has been on pause for such a long time that we hope that 2023 will be time to Press Play, especially for the EHF Youth Leadership Festival which will be held at the same time as the EuroHockey Championship 2023.

To nominate a young person to attend on behalf of Hockey Ireland, please fill in the following form before 27th February 2023: https://forms.office.com/e/meT2P28BQD

If you have any questions, contact sue.haslam@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com

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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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Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) has now launched a new scheme providing for the free installation of 50KW DC Electric Vehicle Charging Points at sports club facilities across the island of Ireland. Detailed information on the scheme is available from https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/ZEVISchemes/.  Terms and conditions apply.

 

The Scheme will pay for the civil and electric works as well as the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charger for local sports clubs. ZEVI will procure the contractor(s) and successful clubs will agree to enter into a licensing agreement with this contractor for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the charger(s) to be eligible for funding.

 

Some Key Points of Information:

  • Clubs can only apply for funding via their NGB
  • Interested member clubs who meet the eligibility criteria and minimum requirements must send their contact details to sue.haslam@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com (ROI) or marc.scott@ulsterhockey.com (NI) before 25th Feb 2023.
  • Once a list of interested clubs has been collated, NGB’s can submit the list to Pobal via the Expression of Interest form.
  • The Expression of Interest form should be submitted to Pobal no later than 5pm on 28th February 2023
  • All interested parties are encouraged to fully read the Scheme Guidelines, Terms & Conditions and all other information available from Pobal.

 

The Department and Pobal will host an online Information Session at 10am on Thursday 9th February for clubs or NGBs who would like further information on the scheme. All interested parties are encouraged to register for this event by emailing zevischemes@pobal.ie. Please note that places are limited but that additional sessions will be organised as necessary to meet demand.

Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme – Pobal

Overview The Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme provides funding for the cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at sports club facilities across the island of Ireland. This Sch…

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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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