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Hockey Ireland National Indoor Finals: Results Sunday, January 28th

WOMEN’S NATIONAL INDOOR FINALS

 

Galway, January 28th: The women’s National Indoor Finals took place at the Kingfisher Centre in Galway on Sunday. Taking part were Railway Union, and Corinthians who came 1st and 2nd respectively in Leinster, Ulster champions Ards and Connacht Champions University of Galway. In the first semi-final University of Galway took on Railway Union.

 

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 1  RAILWAY UNION 11

University of Galway took the lead in the 4th minute when Ellie Hughes scored from open play. The defending national champions Railway Union responded in the 12th minute when Sarah Patton converted a penalty corner 1-1. Matilde Errico scored from open play, in the 13th minute to give Railway Union a 2-1 lead. Ailish Long scored two open play goals in the 14th minute to leave Railway Union 4-1 ahead. Orla Fox converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute to make the score 5-1. Amy Benson scored from a penalty corner in the 22n d minute 6-1. Matilde Errico scored another open  play goal to make it 7-1 in the 23rd minute. Amy Benson from open play made it 8-1 from open play in the 25th minute. Katie Fearon made it 9-1 in the 33rd minute also from open play. Sarah Patton made it 10-1 in the 35th minute and Amy Benson rounded off the scoring in the 38th minute to send Railway Union through to the National Final.

In the second semi-final Corinthians took on Ulster Champions Ards.

 

CORINTHIANS 4  ARDS 2

Sharon Seaton opened the scoring for the Leinster women in the 3rd minute from open play. Jessica McGrane added another goal from open play in the 5th minute to make it 2-0 to Corinthians. Isabel Maleady added a third goal from open play in the 24th minute. Ards got off the mark in the 26th minute with a first goal of the match for Ellen Robinson to make it 3-1. Anna Richardson made it 4-1 for Corinthians with her converted penalty corner in the 26th minute. Ellen Robinson completed the scoring for Ards with a 32nd minute field goal and the final score was Corinthians 4 Ards 2 . Corinthians into the National final and Ards to take on University of Galway in the 3rd place play off.

 

3RD AND 4TH PLACEPLAY-OFF

 

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 2  ARDS 8

Ailbhe Folan opened the scoring for University of Galway in the first minute from open play. Alyssa Boyd got Ards on the scoresheet and Ailbhe Folan added a second open play goal for University of Galway to make it 2-1 and Ellen Robinson made it 2-2 also in the 5th minute. Susannah Cotter gave Ards the lead in the 11th minute 3-2. Rebecca Beggs got a goal from open play in the 14th minute to make it 4-2. Frankie Brown made it 5-2 in the 16th minute. Susannah Cotter made it 6-2 in the 22nd minute with a goal from open play. Rebecca Beggs made it 7-2 in the 28th minute from open play and Frankie Brown added another one in the 29th minute to secure the bronze medal for Ards on an 8-2 score line.

 

FINAL  

 

RAILWAY UNION 2 CORINTHIANS 2 (RAILWAY UNION WIN 3-1 IN SHOOT-OUT)

In the opening minutes it was a very close affair and there were no goals for over 20 minutes. When the lead did come it was the defending National Indoor Champions who got it. Railway Union were awarded a penalty stroke in the 20th minute and Orla Fox made no mistake.1-0 Railway Union. Ava Maleady equalised for Corinthians from open play  in the 28th minute 1-1. Orla Fox converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute to make it 2-1 for Railway Union. Sophie Barnwell converted a penalty corner in the 34th minute to make it 2-2. There was no further scoring and it went to a penalty shoot-out

 

SHOOT OUT Sarah Patton scored the first penalty for Railway Union

Sharon Seaton missed Corinthians first penalty, 1-0 Railers.

Micaela Sanderson scored for Railway Union and Sophie Barnwell scores the second penalty for Corinthians2-1 Railers. Orla Patton scored for Railway Union to secure the National Indoor title on a 3-1 score line.

 

MEN’S NATIONAL INDOOR FINALS

SEMI-FINAL 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS 5 CORINTHIANS 1

Local rivals Three Rock Rovers and Corinthians played in the first semi-final of the Men’s National Indoor Championships on Sunday. Captain Ross Canning got the scoring under way for Three Rock Rovers by converting a penalty corner in the 16th minute 1-0 to Three Rock Rovers. Jonas Althusmann scored from open play to give Rovers a 2-0 lead in the 18th minute. Jody Hosking converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute to make it 3-0 and James Kyriakides made it 4-0 from open play in the 26th minute. Craig Mackay got Corinthians on the scoresheet from open play on the half hour mark. A final Ryan Williams goal for Three Rock Rovers  in the 36th minute from open play secured a 5-1 win and a ticket to the National Indoor Final.

 

SEMI-FINAL  2

 

COOKSTOWN 2 RAILWAYUNION 5

Ulster Indoor Champions Cookstown took on Leinster Champions Three Rock Rovers in the second of the two semi-finals at the Kingfisher Centre in Galway. It was the Greg Williams show for Railway Union as he opened the scoring in the 1st minute from a converted penalty corner. Daniel Nelson responded for Cookstown in the10th minute from a converted penalty corner to make it 1-1. Greg Williams got his second of the match from open play in the 16th minute to restore Railway’s lead 2-1. A third of the game for Greg Williams made it 3-1 to Railway from open play in the 26th minute. A Michael Kerr goal from open play for Cookstown in the 29th minute reduced the deficit to a single goal Cookstown 2 Railway Union 5. Railway Union were awarded two penalty strokes in the 34th and 39th minutes respectively and Greg Williams made it 4-2 with the first of these and 5-2 with the second of these to reach the National Indoor final against Three Rock Rovers.

 

3RD AND 4TH PLACE FINAL

 

CORINTHIANS 4  COOKSTOWN 4

Scott McCabe put the Ulster Champions 1-0 ahead in the 5th minute from open play. Cookstown increased their lead  a minute late with a Michael Kerr goal from open play 2-0 to Cookstown. Daniel Kerr increased it even further in the 8th minute with another open play goal 3-0 to Cookstown and Michael Kerr made it 4-0 to Cookstown in the 11th minute also from open play. Corinthians began their Lazarus like comeback when Ben O’Grady converted a penalty corner on 14 minutes to make it 4-1. Craig Mackay scored from open play in the 19th minute to make it 4-2 and again in the 23rd minute to make it 4-3.Craig Mackay completed his hat-trick to secure a 4-4 draw in the 26th minute. Third place was shared by both sides and no shoot out ensued.

 

FINAL

 

THREE ROCK ROVERS 5 RAILWAY UNION 3

Three Rock Rovers won the Men’s National Indoor Hockey Championship at the Kingfisher Centre in Galway beating Railway Union 5-3 in today’s final. Three Rock Rovers took the lead in the 12th minute through James Kyriakides from open play. Railway Union equalised within 60 seconds when they were awarded a penalty stroke which Greg Williams converted to make the score 1-1. Ross Canning restored Three Rock Rovers’ lead in the 18th minute to make it 2-1 to Rovers. Daragh Curley scored for Railway Union from open play to level matters at 2-2 in the 23rd minute. James Walker made it 3-2 for Three Rock with a goal from open play. Jody Hosking added another goal for Three Rock from a converted penalty corner in the 33rd minute, to make it 4-2. Ben Ryder’s goal in the 37th minute from open play sealed a 5-2 victory for Three Rock Rovers and the National Indoor Championship Trophy will live in the Trophy Cabinet at Grange Road for the next year.

 

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Hockey Ireland Weekend Results: Saturday January 27

A busy weekend for domestic Hockey, where there were games across the National Cups and Trophies, but we begin our review with details of

the EY Hockey League Division 2 and Men’s Pool A.

 

EYHL 2 MEN POOL A

 

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY  3- 4  PEMBROKE WANDERERS    

A seven-goal thriller for those in attendance at this game. Matthew Scott put the visitors 1-0 ahead in the 5th minute. Harry Scott opened his account for the hosts from open play in the 13th minute to make it 1-1. Adam Reddick from open play gave the Students a 2-1 lead in the 20th minute. James Maginnis equalised for Pembroke Wanderers in the 26th minute with a goal from open play.  Scott Sullivan restored the visitors lead in the 33rd minute with another open play goal. Harry Scott got his second goal of the match to restore the Students to parity with another goal from open play in the 38th minute it was now 3-3. Ross Breytenbach made the game safe for the visitors with what proved to be the last  goal of the game on 49 minutes yet again from open to play to secure a 4-3 win for Pembroke Wanderers.

 

BANDON  4- 4 BANGOR 

An eight goal thriller for the fans to feast on at Bandon Grammar School in this EYHL2 Men’s Pool A clash.

The visitors took the lead in the 8th minute when Rhys Cunningham  scored from open play. They increased their lead when Samuel McMillan scored from open play a minute later. Bandon responded through a goal from Ethan Hamilton-Foot in the 23rd minute from open play. It was 2-1 to Bangor at this point.

Bangor increased their lead in the 27th minute through  Callum Duncan  from open play. Bandon narrowed Bangor’s lead to a single goal in the 33rd minute through David Smith to leave Bangor leading 3-2 at half-time. Bandon got back on level terms in the 43rd when Ethan Hamilton-Foot got his second of the game converting a penalty corner. Bandon then went in front for the first time in the match in the 51st minute when Clinton Sweetnam scored from a penalty stroke.  Bangor secured a share of the spoils when James Holley scored from open play to leave the score 4-4 at the final whistle.

 

EYHL 2 MEN POOL B

COOKSTOWN 4-2 CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND     

Cookstown beat Cork Harlequins by four goals to two in their EYHL2 Men’s Pool B clash in Cookstown. Robert Sweetnam gave the visitors the lead from open play in the 11th minute. It was Cookstown 0 Cork Church of Ireland 1. Cookstown got an equaliser through Callum Anderson from open play in the 17th minute. Ryan Millar gave the hosts the lead in the 28th minute with another goal from open play. Cookstown 2 Cork Church  of Ireland 1. But the visitors equalised themselves when Jonathan Spillane scored from open play in the 36th minute. Callum Anderson got his second goal of the game in the 54th minute from open play to put Cookstown a further goal ahead at 3-1 and Michael Kerr got an insurance goal of sorts with his open play goal in the 59th minute , to leave the final score Cookstown 4 Cork Church of Ireland 2.

 

SOUTH ANTRIM 2-5 CORK HARLEQUINS

Cork Harlequins had a comfortable 5-2 victory over South Antrim after their visit to Belfast. Julian Dale opened his account for the visitors in the 9th minute and added a second from open play to leave Harlequins 2-0 ahead after 10 minutes. South Antrim responded through a converted penalty corner from Jordan Robinson in the 15th minute. Julian Dale completed his hat-trick converting a penalty corner in the 28th minute to leave Harlequins 3-1 ahead. John Whyte made it 4-1 from open play in the 32nd minute and Nestor Jiminez Martinez made it 5-1 from open play in the 37th minute. Wot Ryan’s field goal in the 49th minute left the final score South Antrim 2 Cork Harlequins 5.

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN POOL A

BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2 -3 CORK HARLEQUINS    

It was the battle of the Harlequins at Deramore Park where the Belfast variety hosted their Cork counterparts. Belfast Harlequins took the lead in the 29th minute when Emma Fraser converted a penalty stroke. Within five minutes Cork Harlequins were back level  when Michelle Barry scored from open play.  Yvonn O’Byrne gave the visitors the lead  when she converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute. Claire Whiteside got Belfast Harlequins back on terms when she scored in the 50th minute from open play to leave the score 2-2.  All three points were heading back to the River Lee after Jane O’Brien got a third goal for her team in the 66th minute to leave the final score Belfast Harlequins 2  Cork Harlequins 3.

 

AVOCA  2-0 GREENFIELDS   

Avoca continued their impressive form this season with a 2-0 win over Connacht Women’s Division 1 side  Greenfields at Newtownpark . Caro Theunisz put the hosts 1-0 ahead with a goal in the 27th minute from open play.  Zoe Watterson made the game safe for Avoca with a second from open play in the 41st minute to secure the win.

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN POOL B 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 3-1 MUCKROSS

Munster Division 1 side UCC had too much fire power for their Leinster Division 1 visitors Muckross at the Mardyke in this EYHL 2 Women’s Pool B clash. Julia McCarthy opened the scoring on the half hour mark with a goal from open play for the Students. Muckross responded quickly when in the 31st minute Katie Fitzgerald converted a penalty corner. Two late goals for UCC in the 66th minute when Rebecca Kingston converted a penalty corner and one from open play in the final minute were enough to secure all the points and win for the Students by 3-1.

 

LURGAN  1-2 ARDS   

Ards who recently were crowned Ulster Indoor champions took the lead in the 13th minute through Ulster Women’s Premier League’s leading goalscorer Rachel Houston’s goal from open play. Susannah Cotter made it 2-0 to Ards with another open play effort on 19 minutes. Lurgan got on the scoresheet in the 41st minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke which was converted by Stephanie Thompson.

It remained Lurgan 1 Ards 2 at full time.

 

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY 

BRAY 4-1 RATHGAR 

PORTADOWN 0-1 KILKEEL 

 

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY

DUNGANNON 2-1 UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 

GLENANNE 4-1 ARMAGH 

NEWRY OLYMPIC 0-4 PORTRANE  

 

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE

BELVEDERE 2-1 CORK WANDERERS 

TIPPERARY  5-0 KINVARA 

WATERFORD 6-1 BOTANIC 

GENESIS 7-0 COOKSTOWN  

IRISH WOMEN’S SENIOR CUP 

TRINITY COLLEGE LADIES  0-3 CORINTHIAN

BALLYMONEY 3-1 PORTADOWN 

BANBRIDGE 0-3 QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 

IRISH MEN’S SENIOR CUP

RAILWAY UNION  2 -5 AVOCA

 

MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP 

Tomorrow Sunday January 28 2024 in the Men’s Irish Senior Cup there will be one game.

PEMBROKE WANDERERS   V SOUTH ANTRIM 13:00 SERPENTINE AVENUE

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Volunteer Think Tanks

We are inviting everyone who currently volunteers in any capacity to a Think-Tank Workshop. Coaches, Committee members, Umpires, Parents we need to hear your ideas so we can grow and improve our Volunteer Programme. We will be putting you to work on the night so come armoured with ideas, solutions and your wealth of experience and Passion.

All Think Tanks are from 7-9pm
Thursday 1st Feb. Cairnes Building, University of Galway, H91 WN80
Tuesday 6th February, Sports Ireland Campus, Conference Centre, Dublin. D15 EPN4
Thursday 8th February, Belfast Harlequins. BT9 5JX
Monday 12th February, Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Cork. P67 Y206

It is also a great opportunity to meet other club members. Each session will last 2 hours. Teas and Coffees provided.

Please RSVP to volunteer@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com

 

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Hockey Ireland Domestic Weekend Preview: Saturday January 20

EY Hockey League returns after the Christmas break this weekend with the EYHL Division 2 2023/24 season start.

The League will sort out which teams from outside the EYHL gain promotion to the topflight at the end of the season. The teams qualify via their finishing position in their respective provincial leagues. The teams who were relegated from the topflight in 2022-23 are also included, making up a total of 20 teams. These twenty teams (10 male and 10 female) are divided into two groups of 5 in each division. One team in each Pool will be idle per week.

The top two in each Division qualify for the EYHL 2 semi-finals in both men’s and women’s categories. There is a finals weekend hosted where the semi-finals are played off on a Saturday and the finals are played on the Sunday. The good news for the finalists is that, as two teams are relegated from both the Men’s and Women’s top division each year, both finalists gain promotion to the EYHL Men’s and Women’s Division 1 respectively with a trophy being awarded to the winner to crown EYHL2 champions. But the main goal is promotion to the top flight for the four finalists concerned in both men’s and women’s competitions.

 

SATURDAY JANUARY 20, 2024

EYHL 2 MEN POOL A 

BANGOR V QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY,  BANGOR AURORA

PEMBROKE WANDERERS  V  AVOCA,   SERPENTINE AVENUE   16:00

 

EYHL 2  MEN POOL B 

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND  V  SOUTH ANTRIM,  GARRYDUFF   12:00

CORK HARLEQUINS  V  RAILWAY UNION,  HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS  14:45

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN POOL  A

CORK HARLEQUINS  V  KILKENNY,  HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS  12:45

GREENFIELDS  V  BELFAST HARLEQUINS,   SPORTS CAMPUS IRELAND ABBOTSTOWN  15:30

 

EYHL 2  WOMEN  POOL  B 

ARDS  V  UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK,   LONDONDERRY PARK  13:00

MUCKROSS  V UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY,   MUCKROSS PARK        13:30

 

The Men’s Irish Senior Cup 2024 competition first round has another tie down for decision this weekend when N.I. Civil Service take on Cookstown. The rest of the ties will be taking place over the next few weeks. Teams currently involved in quarter-finals and knockout stages of provincial cup competitions will play their ties once those other matches have been completed.

MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP 

N.I. CIVIL SERVICE   V  COOKSTOWN,    VENUE TBC  14:30

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In Memoriam: Dr Moira McKelvey (née Hopkins)

Hockey Ireland joins Ulster Hockey in sadness as it learns of the death of Dr Moira McKelvey (née Hopkins) who passed away peacefully on Thursday 11th January 2024. 

Moira had a very distinguished hockey career which started off at Victoria College, Belfast. When she was at school, she won her first full international cap for Ireland at the age of 17. Her sister, Thelma, who was a year younger, was also on the team. Ireland played Wales on that occasion and won the match 2-1, with Moira scoring Ireland’s first goal and Thelma the second. 

Moira had 15 Irish caps from 1953 to 1971 and represented Ulster in Interprovincial matches from 1952 to the late 1970s. After she graduated from Queens University in Medicine, she played for Victorians from 1958 to the late 1980s when she was nearly 50 years of age. A newspaper article, written in the Belfast Telegraph by Artie O’Neill in February 1981, had the headline, ‘Victorians owe a lot to Moira’, saying the young squad had the benefit of the maturity of former international Moira upfront and ’the speed that Moira moves on the field certainly belies her age’. 

Off the pitch Moira contributed greatly to hockey in Ulster. She was President of the Ulster Women’s Hockey Union from 1981-1983 and sat on the Ulster Women’s Hockey Committee for many years. She was President of Victorians Ladies Hockey Club from 1985 to 2007 and was actively involved in the club as a player and an official for 49 years.  

At this sad time we remember how much Moira gave to hockey over the years. Our condolences go to her husband, Jimmy, son Bill, grandsons Ben, Matt & Nick and her sister Thelma, who is in Canada. 

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Ireland Women hold Belgium to a draw in Hockey Olympic Qualifier Opener

IRELAND 0 BELGIUM 0

Ireland who are World ranked #13, began their Olympic qualification Pool A campaign with a defiant ‘backs to the wall’ performance against the European Silver medallists from 2023 and World Ranked #4 Belgium.

Charlotte Engelbert forced a penalty corner after only 20 seconds. It was the first of nine such corners awarded against Ireland in the first half. But the Irish defense marshalled by Lena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin and Roisín Upton and backstopped by player of the match Ayeisha McFerren were able to hold out not only in quarter one but quarter’s two and three as well.

Ireland were up against it for most of the first half.  It was scoreless at half-time. McFerren made several saves including a double save from a penalty corner to keep Ireland in the match.

The third quarter saw Ireland gain a fair bit of possession, but they seemed to be unable to carve out too many clear-cut opportunities turning over the ball at times. It wasn’t until the fortieth minute that the first penalty corner for Ireland was awarded but Belgian substitute goalkeeper Elode Picard wasn’t troubled by Chloe Watkins’ effort nor Beth Harper’s attempt on the rebound.

Ireland had made good use of video referrals early on in the game getting two penalty corner awards overturned in the process. Neither side seemed capable of captilising on having an extra player. Belgium had one player green carded in the thirty fourth minute and Ireland had three players green carded at different stages in the second quarter.

The drama didn’t end there. In the final six seconds Belgium looked for a video referral as they claimed the ball hit an Irish foot inside the semi-circle. The video referral was inconclusive so Belgium had to face a free out and lost their video referral. The final blew soon afterwards and the score stood as it had at the first whistle, Ireland 0 Belgium 0.

This point which must be looked at as a bonus at this stage, is an excellent start and must be followed up strongly by a win on Monday morning against Ukraine. Then there will be the final pool match against Japan but a point against the pre-tournament favourites is a very good start indeed but must be followed up on.

Sean Dancer Ireland Head Coach said after the game:

“Belgium dominated the game, particularly the first half and are an excellent team. But we came into it a bit more in the third quarter and created a few chances. Ireland performed better in the second half.”

The final match of the day was the second Pool A game between Korea and Ukraine. Elsewhere in Pool A Great Britain defeated Canada 2-0 and Spain had a comfortable win over Malaysia by 7-0.

IRELAND:  Ayeisha Mc Ferren, Bethany Harper, Elena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin, Katie McKee, Sarah Hawkshaw, Charlotte Beggs, Katie Mullan (c), Deirdre Duke, Naomi Carroll SUBS USED: Niamh Carey (3 mins), Chloe Watkins (3 mins), Sarah McAuley (4 mins), Michelle Carey (7 mins),  Sarah Torrans (7 mins), Róisín Upton (7 mins)

BELGIUM: Aisling D’Hooghe, Justine Rasir, Alix Gerniers, Judith Vandermeiren, Emma Puvrez, Louise Versavel, Vanessa Blockmans, Michelle Struijk, Héléne Brasseur, Stephanie Vandenborre, Charlotte Engelbert, SUBS USED: Elodie Picard (GK) [31 mins], Ambre Ballenghen (3 mins), Barbara Nelen, Camille Belis (4 mins), Lien Hillewaart (5 mins). Abi Raye (5 mins)

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Ireland players in Valencia as Hockey Olympic Qualifiers about to begin.

First game starts Jan 13 as IRL Women take on world ranked #4 Belgium

Ireland’s International Hockey Men and Women are now in Valencia ahead of the start of their Olympic Qualifications. With games starting Jan 13, this is the last chance for both sides to qualify for the Paris Olympics this summer.

 

IRELAND WOMEN’S TEAM

Katie Mullan, Ireland Women’s Captain

 

In the women’s competition, Ireland (World Ranked #13) are drawn in Pool A alongside Belgium (#4) whom they play on January 13th (start time is 5.30PM IRL). Also in the pool are Ukraine (#28) and Korea (#12).

Belgium are the highest ranked team in the pool, currently placed 4th in the world rankings. Their performances over the past year in the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup and the FIH Hockey Pro League have been outstanding, which makes them the favourites to progress out of the pool.

Korea and Ireland are neck-and-neck in the world rankings in12th and 13th positions respectively, and the head-to-head matchup between the two sides might end up being crucial in deciding who qualifies for the semi-finals.

Ukraine’s star has been on the rise in international hockey over the past couple of years and it’ll come as no surprise to see them get the better of their higher ranked opponents and finish in the top-2 positions in Pool A.

A second placed group finish is essential to proceed further and then a further win in the knockout stages either in the semi-final (both finalists qualify automatically for Paris) or a win in the 3rd place play off will be required to get to the Olympic Games themselves in the summer.

The Belgians present a real challenge for the Irish as they are one of the strongest teams in the World who have not already qualified for the Summer Olympic games. Their key players include captain Barbara Mallen, Astrid Bonami, Stephanie Van Den Boore, Charlotte Engelbert and goalkeeper Aisling De Hooghe who has played at two World Cups and FIH Pro League.

 

The matches are available to view on TNT Sports and also online on watch.hockey and for fans based in Northern Ireland BBCNI Sport i-Player will have coverage online.

 

IRELAND MEN’S TEAM

Sean Murray, Ireland Men’s Captain

 

In the men’s competition, Ireland (World Ranked #13) are drawn in Pool A alongside Ukraine (#28), Belgium (#2) and Japan (#15). They open their campaign against Ukraine on Sunday January 14th at 7:45pm IRL.

Ukraine are familiar opposition to Ireland as they played each other twice at last summer’s B Europeans, facing each other once in the pool stage and also in the finals at the Sport Ireland Campus last July. On both occasions Ireland won.

As we know from that tournament, Ukraine tend to start tournaments slowly and improve as the tournament wears on. So, to have Ukraine in the first match is probably ideal.

A second placed group finish is essential to proceed further and then a further win in the knockout stages either in the semi-final (both finalists qualify automatically for Paris) or a win in the 3rd place play off will be required to get to the Olympic Games themselves in the summer.

Ukraine’s standout players from the B European’s last summer included drag flicker Viacheslav Paziuk, Andrii Koshelenko, Maksym Onofiiuk, Oleksii Popov, and Oleksandr Boiko (who scored in the final match against Ireland.)

 

The matches are available to view on TNT Sports and also online on watch.hockey and for fans based in Northern Ireland BBCNI Sport i -Player will have coverage online.

 

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Hockey Ireland CEO moving to International Role

Hockey Ireland CEO moving to International Role

 

The Board of Hockey Ireland wishes to announce that its CEO, Ronan Murphy is set to take up a senior role with an International Sporting Federation.

The move follows a 6 month term for the CEO who has been part of significant growth and progress at Hockey Ireland, with renewed focus and structures in place to secure its continued positive momentum which has included the Senior Men’s promotion to World Hockey’s Pro-League.

Commenting on his decision, Ronan Murphy said “while the timing of this next step in my career was unexpected, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the Hockey Ireland Board, staff, and the Irish Hockey community. During my tenure, we have worked hard to reorganise the organisation and have established an exceptional senior management team capable of delivering the strategic objectives for Irish Hockey. This is a very exciting time for Irish Hockey, with both senior High-Performance teams working towards qualification for Paris 2024 and our senior men participating in the Pro League for the first time. We have also realigned our commercial focus and commitments to our funding partners and sponsors whose support is integral to the sport.”

The process to find a replacement CEO will commence in the coming days, with further updates to be announced accordingly.

For further enquires, please contact: nick.mcelwee@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com

End.

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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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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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