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Young Female Umpire selected for Elite European Programme.

The Irish Hockey Umpires Association is delighted with the recent selection of Connacht umpire, Ellie Duffy (27) onto the EHF Umpire Development Programme (UDP). A number of past graduates of the Programme have gone on to officiate at the very highest-level of world hockey, including the Olympics and World Cup.

Last year, Ellie was selected for the initial Umpires4Europe (U4E) Programme. The U4E Programme is a pathway to UDP and includes mentoring, webinars and practical weekends.

The UDP identifies and targets young talented umpires within the U4E Programme and provides them with a programme of events over a three year period. Ellie was one of three female umpires selected from a group of over 30 European umpires who took part in the ‘Push Tournament’ in Breda, Netherlands at the start of this season. In addition to Ellie’s selection, we are also delighted that Leinster based Tom Goode, will be a mentor on the Programme alongside Caroline Brunekreefe from the Netherlands.

Ellie’s involvement in hockey started as a goalkeeper. Whilst umpiring local Connacht schools matches, members of Connacht Hockey Umpires Association identified her umpiring potential. Ellie then progressed through the provincial structure and more recently she has risen through the ranks to be a regular face in the Women’s EY Hockey League.

IHUA Vice Chairperson, Rob Argent, commented, “We wish to congratulate Ellie on her selection and this excellent opportunity. Ellie’s selection on UDP follows in the recent footsteps of Alison Keogh and Shane O’Donnell and also represents the commitment of Hockey Ireland in supporting these important European Programmes for umpires and umpire coaches. With the development of the new Young Umpire Programme, we need young role models such as this, and we certainly hope this inspires more young people to take up umpiring and to enjoy reaching their full potential in the game.”

If you would like to know more about Ellie’s story, then catch up on a recent radio interview with Ellie on Galway Bay FM.

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All-Ireland Club U14 Girls Play-off Competition

In September, the EHL have invited an U14 team from Ireland to the new ABN AMRO EHL U14 Girls competition in the Netherlands on the 11th and 12th April 2020. The directive from the EHF is that the team must have qualified through a national club competition. Unfortunately, only the top 6 nations in the EHL are invited, hence the reason we have not been asked to send a boys’ team.

We have invited the following teams from each province who have qualified through their U13 provincial competition in 2018/2019 season to play in a tournament this Sunday 8th December in UCD from 13.30 – 16.00:

Greenfields Hockey Club (Connacht)

Dromore Hockey Club (Ulster)

Corinthian Hockey Club (Leinster)

Catholic Institute (Munster)

Due to the timing of the invitation from the EHL, we were not able to plan for this format last season. There will be a clearer directive coming from Hockey Ireland soon. We are planning to have a bigger all-Ireland festival for U13 girls and boys in 2020. From this, the next group of U14 girls for the 2021 EHL competition will be decided and there will be an announcement soon of details of how to qualify for this.

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MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP ROUND 2

This weekend sees the second round of the Irish Senior Cup take centre stage with 7 ties to be completed.

There are two all EYHL pairings with Banbridge hosting Lisnagarvey – both sides missing key players on International duty in Vancouver – and Three Rock Rovers, current holders, welcoming YMCA in a repeat of last weekend’s Leinster Senior Mills Cup tie.

Bray, the only non EYHL or EYHL 2 team left in the draw, host Monkstown and Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne both welcome EYHL 2 opponents in Avoca, @ Serpentine Ave, and Cork Harlequins @ St. Andrews.

Clontarf, unbeaten in the Leinster Senior League, and UCD, joint leaders of the EYHL, face each other in an intriguing encounter in North Dublin.

Two EYHL 2 sides come face to face in Cookstown as the home team play host to Railway Union guaranteeing at least two EYHL 2 sides will be in the draw for the quarter finals on 7th December.

Cork Church of Ireland, who gained a walkover following the withdrawal of Mossley, are also into the draw for the next round.

Draw for Quarter-finals, to be played on 7th Dec’19, and semi-finals will take place next week.

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Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge 2019-20 takes on a new format

The Hockey Ireland Cups Committee are happy to introduce the new format for the Mens Irish Hockey Challenge Competition. This new format will be trialled across the 2019-20 season and will hopefully prove successful and an enjoyable experience for the clubs involved.

The change in the format was brought about by the decreasing number of clubs that are entering the competition as it is designed to give the clubs involved the opportunity to play more matches. It is believed this will prove a more successful format and increase the number of clubs entering the competition in future years.

The Competition format and regulations can be found below and fixtures for Pool A and Pool B

Mens Challenge Rules Fixtures

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Tricks4Sticks returns

So far in 2019, 15 clubs have already benefited from Hockey Ireland’s Tricks4Sticks programme.

Supported by Sport Ireland Dormant Accounts funding, the programme focuses on bringing hockey to areas of disadvantage, while also providing personal development opportunities for those involved. As part of the programme, we have delivered coaching to over 8000 kids in 50 schools and trained up over 270 Young Hockey Leaders!

A great example of how the funding is benefiting clubs and communities is on the North Coast where coach and Ballymoney club coordinator, Maria Doherty is delivering the programme in 5 primary schools.

“We are delighted to have benefited from the Tricks4Sticks funding,” said Maria, “it has enabled the club to go into schools in the local area and deliver high quality coaching to boys from age 8-11. Most of these kids have never played hockey before so we are starting from scratch and it is amazing to see them develop so quickly and have so much fun. When I leave on a Tuesday the boys are saying they can’t wait for the next week, which is exactly what every coach wants to hear!!

Two of the five schools that I am working with have entered a boys’ team into the local primary school blitzes, the demand is now there and we hope to watch this grow over the years. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our schools, clubs and the local area.”

The coaching will take place over 6 weeks in each school and focuses on growing the club membership and getting the new teams an opportunity to compete. This week 2 teams of boys got to compete in their first Ulster Hockey blitz in Cookstown. The club have run a Hockey Ireland Young Hockey Leaders Award to help train young people as coaches and umpires within the club, to help support the programme.

For more information on Tricks4Sticks please click here https://www.irelandhockey.sportlomo.com/helpyourclub?content_page=Tricks4Sticks

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Ulster Hockey Executive Manager Appointment

Press Release from Ulster Hockey, June 5th 2019

“The Ulster Hockey Management Board is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Executive Manager Marc Scott.

We are delighted that Marc is joining us on Monday 10th June 2019 and his role will be to drive forward the promotion, development and management of Hockey across the province.

Marc Scott is highly qualified in Sports and Business Law, Sport Studies and Governance together with Management and Leadership. He joins Ulster Hockey following a successful career with the Scottish Institute of Sport, Scottish Hockey and Sport Northern Ireland where he gained extensive experience in Performance, Governance and Management roles. Marc is looking forward to working with our talented Ulster Hockey Staff and supporting the Management Board in our transition to an Incorporated Company and a charitable status organisation.

The Board and the Staff warmly welcome Marc Scott as leader of the Staff Team and wish him every success. I’m sure the Ulster Hockey family will join me in congratulating Marc in winning through from a list of high calibre candidates and will actively support Marc in his new role.

Billy Pollock

Chair – Ulster Hockey”

“Photo LtoR: New Executive Manager meeting some of the Staff Team, Andrew Johnston, Marc Scott (Executive Manager), Billy Pollock (Chair Ulster Hockey) & Andrew Brown”

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Job Opportunity – Regional Development Officer (Connacht)

Hockey Ireland (in partnership with NUIG and Connacht Hockey) are seeking to employ a Regional Development Officer for Connacht.

Starting in Aug / Sept 2019, this person will help to grow hockey, support and develop existing/new resources in the Connacht region, an area that Hockey Ireland see as having huge potential for growth.

Led by Hockey Ireland and NUIG, in conjunction with Connacht Hockey, the successful applicant will be responsible for the delivery of and will have input into the planning for Hockey Ireland’s National Development Plan. Working to achieve these targets, the Regional Development Officer (Connacht) is responsible for administering and delivering programmes to promote sustainable participation opportunities within clubs, schools and NUIG in Connacht.

For more information, please click on the following link:

Connacht Job Description and Personnel Specification.pdf

To apply please send your CV to sue.haslam@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com. Closing date for application is 20th June 2019.

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Hockey Ireland AGM 2019

Notice of the upcoming Hockey Ireland Annual General Meeting has been circulated as follows:

Date: 25th May 2019

Time: 11.30am

Venue: The Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan

Agenda and details for nominations can be found below:

Notice of Hockey Ireland AGM 2019.docx

Nomination Form for Election to Board 2019.docx

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Ards Retain European Indoor Status

Ards ended their weekend on a high as they finished fifth at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge I tournament in France, retaining Ireland’s place in the tier for next year’s representatives Railway Union. 2 draws and a narrow loss set them up for an important clash with Whitsaints that saw them stage a comeback to win the tie 3-2. They rounded out their tournament in style with a 5-2 win over HK Moravske Toplice and solidifying their fifth place finish.

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Three Rock through to EuroHockey Indoor Challenge I promo pool

Three Rock Rovers advanced to the EuroHockey Indoor Challenge I promotion pool as group winners in Oslo following an ever-improving set of performances.

Indeed, it could have been a very different complexion to their tournament had they lost their opening tie when they trailed Ukraine’s OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 5-2 with four minutes to go.

But a quickfire run of three goals changed their whole momentum with Ross Canning scoring on the final hooter for what proved an important draw on Friday morning.

They backed that up with a 3-2 win over Cardiff & Met, pulling clear with two more late goals from Jody Hosking and Canning in the last five minutes.

It left them in second place overnight, facing the other leading side Bologna – both on seven points out of 10 – with a win confirming they would go through.

The first half was tight with the Italians on top but Conor Quinn kept Rovers’ noses in front 2-1 with a brilliant corner save. And then Rovers went on a second half rampage, scoring three times in quick succession after half-time to seal the win before running up another three goals late on for an 8-1 success.

Cardiff’s 2-2 draw with Vinnitsa, meanwhile, meant Rovers go through to the promotion pool along with Bologna, carrying with them the points and goal difference from that thumping win.

Reflecting on the group stages, coach Liam Canning said: “That comeback [against Vinnitsa] was massive. It comes from playing regularly in these tournaments indoors and in the EHL, the experience and belief the lads have to fight back is huge.

“They are developing that calmness and composure in tough situations. Against Bologna, it was tight in the first half with the Italians on top. We changed a few things at half time and played some outstanding stuff.

“Overall, we have a really good squad now and when we make subs, the standard doesn’t drop a level at all really. That makes a big difference. Quinner has made some big saves and Jamie [Carr] came in to keep things calm.”

Three Rock will now represent Ireland at the Euro club Trophy in February 2020. This is the first time since 1996 that Ireland have have had a men’s team at this level.

EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge I (Oslo, Norway)
Friday: HC OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 5 Three Rock Rovers 5 (R Canning 2, J Hosking, H Morris, B Walker); Cardiff & Met 2 Three Rock Rovers 3 (E Geyer, J Hosking, R Canning)
Saturday: Hockey Club Bologna 1 Three Rock Rovers 8 (R Canning 2, H Morris 2, J Hosking, J McAllister, D Walsh, H Morris)

Standings: 1. Three Rock Rovers 12pts (+8) 2. Bologna 7pts (-5) 3. OKS SHVSM Vinnitsa 6pts (0) 4. Cardiff & Met 4pts (-3)

By Stephen Findlater, original article appeared here.

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