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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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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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What to look out for this Week – Preview 1

Round 9 of the EY Hockey League kicks off this weekend. All fixtures can be seen below.

Catholic Institute v Monkstown will be streamed on Hockey Ireland’s YouTube page here.

EYHL 1 – Round 9 – Fixtures
Saturday 21st January

MEN
– Banbridge v Glenanne – 14:45 – Havelock Park
– TRR v Lisnagarvey – 15:00 – Grange Road
– Monkstown v Cookstown – 16:00 – Rathdown
– Instonians v YMCA – 16:00 – Shawsbridge
– Pembroke Wanderers v Annadale – 16:00 – Serpentine Avenue

WOMEN
– Belfast Harlequins v Railway –12:45- Deramore Park
– Catholic Institute v Monkstown- 14:30- Rosbrien
– Ards v Old Alex – 14:30 – Londonderry Park
– UCD v Peagsus – 14:50 – Belfield

 

Irish Senior Cup – Fixtures
Thursday 19th January

MEN
– Glenanne v Lisnagarvey – 20:20 – Loreto (Refix)

 

Irish Hockey Challenge – Fixtures
Wednesday 18th January

MEN
– Saintfield v Portrush – 20:00 – Saintfield (Refix)

Saturday 21st January
WOMEN
– Kilkeel v University of Galway – 15:00 – Kilkeel
– Cork Wanderers v Skerries – 16:00 – Ursuline School

 

Irish Hockey Trophy – Fixtures
Saturday 21st January

MEN
– Rathgar v Kilkenny – 12:45 – Rathgar

 

Irish Junior Cup – Fixtures
Saturday 21st January

MEN
– Mossley v Cookstown – 12:45 – Mossley
– Lisnagarvey v Glenanne – 15:00 – Comber Road

Instonians v Clontarf – 17:30 – Shawbridge

WOMEN
– Belfast Harlequins v UCD – 14:30 – Deramore Park

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Uniphar Under 18 Girls Interprovincial Final

 

Uniphar Under 18 Girls Interprovincial Final

Munster 1-1 Ulster (Munster win shootout 3-2)

Munster took the Uniphar Under 18 Girls Interprovincial title coming from behind to equalise with the final play of the game and then beat Ulster in a shootout.

The northern province looked to have done enough when Sophie Kidd gave them the lead with only eight minutes remaining but with time expired Sarah Fitzgerald’s effort from a penalty corner found the back of the Ulster net.
Ruby Walsh and Anna Campbell scored for Munster in the shootout with Kidd and Eva Gaston replying for Ulster but the outstanding Beth Anne O’Farrell converted the final penalty shuttle with Ellie Edwards the unfortunate player to miss giving Munster the win.

“To be honest we were very happy and positive with the way we were playing and we had a number of corners we didn’t convert so to put the last one away, I think we felt we deserved at least one,” said Munster coach Yvonne O’Bryne afterwards.

The former Irish international knows a thing or two about winning and losing shootouts. She was a member of the 2018 World Cup squad who reached the final after beating India and Spain on the way after penalty shuttles and she had a special mention for match winner O’Farrell.

“She actually missed one in midweek in the Schools Cup and St Angela’s went out so she had a point to prove to herself and everyone else and I’d always put my house on her to score.”

When the two sides met in November, Ulster had won 3-2 so the final was expected to be tight but the direct style of play from both teams led to an entertaining opening to the game.

The strong running of O’Farrell and Fitzgerald was causing Ulster’s defence problems while Eva Gaston, a product of Dalriada, the same school as Ireland senior captain Katie Mullan, was controlling midfield and linking well for Ulster with forwards Kidd and Gabriella Scott.

Attacking endeavour, however, was countered by robust defending from both sides.

The best opportunity of the first half fell to Ulster. After winning the ball in midfield, Gaston’s pass found Kidd and the Ards forward stepped into a reverse stick shot that caused Faye Luby to make a great save. From the resulting penalty corner the Catholic Institute goalkeeper stuck out a right boot to deny Alex Byrne’s goal bound effort.

With the last play of the half, O’Farrell forced another penalty corner for Munster but Fitzgerald’s reverse stick shot was wide of the mark.
Munster began to seize control of the game in the third quarter finding joy down both flanks but Ulster’s defence was resilient.

Aine Power was becoming more of a factor with her stick handling ability cutting in from the right wing and she set Cork Harlequins team mate O’Farrell up for a shooting chance that went wide.

Ulster began the final quarter strongly and turned their pressure into the opening goal with eight minutes left in the game.

Gaston found Scott and after her powerful run into the circle, she picked out Kidd and her effort looped up and over the sprawling Lucy Nixon, now in goal for Munster.

Nixon then stopped Kidd doubling Ulster’s advantage from a penalty corner and it proved crucial.

As time expired Munster won a penalty corner and with the final play of the game, they slipped the ball to Fitzgerald and her shot took a couple of deflections but found it’s way into the goal to equalise.

It was on to a shootout and two saves from Aoife Doyle and conversions for Gaston and Kidd had Ulster ahead 2-1 after three shuttles but Campbell scored for Munster and Nixon produced a vital stop setting the stage for O’Farrell to score. When Edwards missed it was Munster who celebrated a victory at the end of an entertaining game.

O’Byrne added, “I think it’s fairly exciting for Irish hockey. The level of skill and technical ability at under-18 level is so much higher than when I was coming through. The game is getting faster and being played at a higher level which is great to see.”

Her opposite number, Ulster’s Suzanne Evans agreed, “It was a great game of hockey and we are disappointed but I hope there will be some big opportunities moving forward for these girls. This is an important age group with decisions being made about their futures but I hope they keep hockey as a priority and that their game progresses at club and maybe international level as well.”
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Inter-Provincial Finals Weekend

The U18 Interpro final is on this weekend, 15th January, 2023 in UCD. Click on the links below to view on the Hockey Ireland YouTube Channel and view the programme

All games on the front pitch will be live-streamed on Hockey Ireland youtube channel.

The full program can be found here; U18 Inter-provincial Final Programme 

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Sports Energy Support Scheme

Last week Sport Ireland opened the application process for €35 million of funding in response to the rising energy costs crisis.

The purpose of the funding, which was secured as part of Budget 2023, is 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.

Depending on the level of submissions, the outcome of those deliberations will be communicated to NGBs in December. NGBs will begin the disbursement of this funding to their relevant clubs, affiliate organisations from January 2023 onwards.

Hockey Ireland is seeking applications for funding from all clubs in ROI for the ‘Sports Energy Support Scheme’. This can be done by filling in the form at the following link:

https://forms.office.com/r/1xKmxu5wNE

If you have any further queries, please contact your Regional Development Officer (https://irelandhockey.sportlomo.com/my-hockey/)

The closing date for applications is Thursday 24th 12:00.

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EY Hockey League Round 8 & EY 2 Recap

Round 8 of the EY Hockey League.

Here’s everything you need to know from Round 8:

 

Results
Saturday 19th November

It was very much a case of keeping the status quo in the Men’s EY Hockey League this weekend with just Lisnagarvey dropping points in the top half of the table. Banbridge remained in the top spot with a narrow victory over Monkstown, winning by two goals to one. ‘Garvey stays in second, two points behind Banbridge, after drawing in a goalless affair at home against Annadale.

Glenanne were in the mood at home against Instonians, netting no less than nine times, Instonians scoring a solitary consolation goal. The win keeps the Dublin side in third place, while YMCA beat Pembroke six goals to two at home. It was one-all at the end of the first quarter but two second-quarter goals and a flurry of three in the final quarter with just one in reply from Pembroke put the result out of doubt.

The three points put YMCA into fourth place with 14 points, but in the fifth position with a game in hand are Three Rock Rovers who are in reach of third place if they win their refixed match with Cookstown.

MEN

Monkstown 1-2 Banbridge (Monkstown; R.Nichols ; Banbridge; J.McKee, C.Rowe)

YMCA 6-2 Pembroke (YMCA; G.Glutz x2, A.Walker, T.Kok, S.Ruttle, R.Henderson ; Pembroke; M.Treacy, A.Colton)

Cookstown v TRR (Postponed due to frozen pitch)

Glenanne 9-1 Instonians (Glenanne; S.O’Donogue x3, R.Couse, G.Shaw x2, G.Gibney, N.Byrne, J.MCormack ; Instonians; G.Leckey)

Lisnagarvey 0-0 Annadale 

Women

In the closing stages of a cagey affair in Park Avenue, Loreto’s Sarah Torrans found herself with the ball on the end of her stick in acres of space on the top of the circle in the dying moments of the third quarter. The Loreto forward made the most of the chance and smashed it into the top left corner to break the deadlock and, eventually, to give her side a valuable three points.

It was round eight in the EY Hockey League, the final round of matches before the winter break, and in a high-paced affair that was the featured game of the weekend and streamed by Hockey Ireland, there were few chances for either team. Loreto had the better chances in the first half, winning two penalty corners that they failed to convert.

Ireland captain Katie Mullan looked lively for Railway Union in just her second game for the club after making the move down south last weekend. And, indeed, it was Mullan who won Railway’s first penalty corner in the third quarter, but the home side couldn’t make their set piece count.

Just six points separated these two fierce rivals before the game with Loreto in second and Railway in seventh and after big wins in round seven for both sides, they were each looking to continue winning ways going into the winter break. Loreto’s Sarah Torrans was a threat throughout causing trouble with her pace, and Siofra O’Brien looked to be through on Railway’s goal a number of times but for last-ditch tackles from the home team. But it was a snap pass from Loreto skipper Mia Jennings that found the unmarked Torrans at the top of the Railway circle, and the forward made no mistake with the gilt-edged chance.

There was still time for Railway to get a leveller with a full quarter to play and they pulled their keeper with five minutes to go, opting for 11 outfield players, but Loreto’s defence stayed resolute throughout and the youthful team showed experience beyond their years to make sure of the result. Player of the match Caitlin Sherin was at the centre of everything good that Loreto did and made several important interventions. Christina Hamill stood out for the visitors, too, while Lily Lloyd and Mullan looked dangerous for Railway and Emma Smyth was the most effective link for the home side.

This victory puts Loreto within a point of the lead in the EY Hockey League. Catholic Institute sit just a point ahead of the Beaufort team with 19 points. The competition takes a break for December and January as the national team ramps up to the FIH Women’s Nations Cup taking place in Valencia, Spain between December 11th and 17th.

Elsewhere, Old Alex and Pembroke Wanderers drew two all. It was one goal apiece at the half-time break, but Pembroke got their nose in front through an Erika Markey corner in the third quarter. Alex came back in the dying minutes of the final quarter, though, as Deirdre Duke salvaged a point for the home team. The last-minute goal keeps Old Alex ahead of Pembroke in the table, with the former in fourth with 13 points and the latter in fifth on 11.

Monkstown had a solid home victory against Ards, three points that saw them leapfrog Railway Union into seventh place on better goal difference, both teams on nine points. Monkstown were on the mark three times, the returning Chloe Watkins opening the home team’s account before young gun Emily Kealy netted home, followed in quick succession by the final goal from Claire O’Reilly.

UCD were in rare form as they romped home nine goals to the good against bottom side Belfast Harlequins. The win saw UCD climb to 15 points at the break, just four points adrift of league leaders Catholic Institute.

Old Alex 2-2 Pembroke (Old Alex; D.Duke, L.Tice; Pembroke; L.McGuire, E.Markey)

UCD 9-0 Belfast Harlequins (UCD;

Railway 0-1 Loreto (Loreto; S.Torrans)

Monkstown 3-0 Ards (Monkstown; C.Watkins, E.Kealy, C.OReilly)

EYHL 2 

Women’s EY 2A and 2B

Avoca and Muckross drew one-all in their tie at Muckross School, meaning they sit in first and second respectively on four points in EY 2A with one round left to play before the winter break. Ulster Elks opened their account with a clinical display against University of Galway, putting five past the Galway defence while keeping a clean sheet themselves.

On the other side of the table, Corinthian are well out in front after a single goal gave them all three points against Queens University. Cork Harlequins, meanwhile, travelled to Ballymoney and won away from home by two goals to one.

University of Galway 0-5 Ulster Elks

Muckross 1-1 Avoca

Corinthian 1-0 Queens

Ballymoney 1-2 Cork Harlequins

Men’s EY 2A and 2B

Railway Union won a spirited encounter at Park Avenue with Queens University. The home team scored five to Queens’ two to make sure of top spot in EY2A. Corinthian moved up into top spot, thrashing Cork Harlequins six goals to one. Indeed, Corinthian scored all their goals in the first half, with ‘Quins shoring up their defence in the second half, and even scoring a consolation goal in the final quarter.

In EY2B, Kilkeel beat the travelling Avoca by five goals to three; that win sees them move into second place ahead of UCD who are on the same points but have an inferior goal difference but a game in hand. The students were not in action yesterday, but top-placed South Antrim were and they travelled home from Bandon, happy with a one-goal victory and top spot in the group.

Corinthian 6-1 Cork Harlequins

Railway 5-2 Queens

Kilkeel 5-3 Avoca

Bandon 0-1 South Antrim

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EuroHockey Club of the Year 2022

EuroHockey has opened the nomination period for the annual Club of the Year awards, celebrating the best in grassroots hockey across the continent.

The competition is split into two sections: nominations are the Large Club of the Year are open to those with over 300 members with the Small Club of the Year award open for outfits with under 300 members.

The guiding theme for this year’s awards is Volunteers, focusing on what has your club done for volunteers, the local community and development in 2022?

“Each edition the Eurohockey Club of the Year is a great event, showing what our clubs in Europe are capable of,” said EHF Development Committee Chair Peter Elders. 

“It is always a great joy to be able to celebrate this with the winners. I invite all clubs, large and small, to give it a try.”

The winning nominations go beyond the simple winning of trophies with awards going to those clubs who develop themselves, their local communities and make hockey more inclusive.

Each winner will receive:

  • a financial award of €1,000
  • an EHF Club of the Year Pennant
  • and a VIP visit by an EuroHockey ambassador to present the awards

The competition is open to all clubs affiliated to a national federation under the auspices of the European Hockey Federation. They will look to follow in the footsteps of 2021 winners KHC Dragons (large club) and City of Birmingham (small club).

To nominate your club please do not hesitate to nominate them before the deadline of October 31st 2022 via the following link:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/EHClubofYear2022

Please note, following your submission, EuroHockey will check your club’s eligibility with your National Association before any decision.

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Interprovincial’s kick off the 2022-23 season with a flurry of goals

The 2022-23 season started off strongly as the first round of the Interprovincial competitions took place on Sunday 4th September. Sunday morning saw Leinster and Connacht teams travel to Mullingar where their U16, U18 and U21 teams came head to head. A little further south saw Munster welcome the Leinster South U16 and U18 teams to the UCC Hockey Pitch.

At Under-16 level Leinster made a flying start to a 7-0 win over Connacht. Sarah Byrne and Hollia Quinn picking up a couple of goals each while the Connacht defense fought hard to try to repel the Leinster forwards. Leinster South also started their campaign strongly with a 3-0 win over Munster.

At Under-18 level Leinster again pushed Connacht hard to win the match 5-1 with 2 goals coming from Milla Fulton and Connacht’s consolation goal coming from a short corner with Meabh McLoughlin finding the net. Munster started their season with a win against Leinster South finding the backboard with a penalty corner set piece slotted past the keeper by Emer Conroy.

Moving up to the Under-21 competition Leinster completed their three wins with a 1-0 win over Connacht with Orla O’Brien scoring the goal in the second quarter and neither team finding the net for the remainder of the match but not for lack of trying.

Next weekend see’s the boys side of the Interpros starting up with Leinster facing Munster in Newtown School Waterford. The girls will be back on the pitch on 2nd October with Leinster v Munster and Connacht v Ulster.

Women (Sunday, September 4)
Under 16 – Leinster 7 (Isobel Field, Sarah Byrne 2, Hollai Quinn 2, Lauryn Barry, Eleanor Selby) Connacht 0; Munster 0 Leinster South 3 (Charlotte Foley , Zoe Poole, Tara Clarke)
Under 18 – Leinster 5 (Millie Jerman, Annabel Squires, Sophie English, Milla Fulton 2) Connacht 1 (Meabh McLoughlin)
Under 21 – Leinster 1 (Orla O’Brien) Connacht 0

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‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Funding

As part of 2022 NGB Dormant Accounts Fund, Sport Ireland will provide a €2,000,000 ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund. The Scheme will be open to the affiliated clubs of Sport Ireland Recognised National Governing Bodies only. This fund offers every club affiliated with a Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body an opportunity to provide inclusive opportunities for participation for people with a disability. It will provide funding supports for local clubs to connect in a meaningful way with their community, potentially even building the club’s own community over time through the inclusion of people with a disability in all club activities.

A minimum application amount of €1,000 and maximum application amount of €5,000 is available for clubs to apply to their NGB for the following:

  • Disability Supports Education & Training.
  • Disability Supports Programme Activation and Delivery.
  • Disability Supports Small Scale Equipment and Infrastructure

For examples of what to include in your application, see the following spreadsheet DAF Club Support Budget H4A

To apply for the funding click here

Deadline for applications is 26th Aug 2022.

If you have any question, please don’t hesitate your Regional Development Officer, or Sue at: sue.haslam@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com / 00353 831007105 / 00447465947447)

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