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Old Alex make early statement in women’s EY Hockey League

** Muckross’s Laura Hanlon celebrates making it 1-0. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Old Alex were the big winners on day one of the women’s EY Hockey League as they got the best of Belfast Harlequins 4-1 while the other three times on the agenda ended in close-fought draws. Here’s the round-up of Saturday’s action.

Women’s EY Hockey League – day one round-up
Belfast Harlequins 1 (N Lyttle) Old Alexandra 4 (M Power 2, S Robinson, M O’Donnell)
Old Alex got their campaign off to an impressive start with a 4-1 win over Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park. It was end to end stuff throughout an entertaining contest but Alex edged possession and displayed a more clinical touch in front of goal.

After a scoreless first quarter, the visitors broke the deadlock when Mikyala Power netted at the far post shortly after Niamh Sweeney had been denied by a stunning save from Quins keeper Suzie Taylor.

On the stroke of half time, Alex doubled their lead through Millie O’Donnell’s direct penalty corner strike. The home team replied in kind early in the second half with Natalie Lyttle netting a set-piece to pull one back.

But with nine minutes left, Alex made the points virtually safe when Power got her second from yet another penalty corner. Any hope of a Quins’ comeback were well and truly extinguished in the 68th minute when Sarah Robinson crashed home after a penalty corner switch.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for Harlequins who, like Alex, were without their current Ireland players, most notably the performance of debutante Jane Kirkpatrick, who was a tower of strength at the back and was creative when going forward.

Catholic Institute 2 (E Ryan, L Clery) UCD 2 (S Young, KJ Marshall)
Honours even at Rosbrien as KJ Marshall bundled home a penalty corner melee in the dying embers of the tie to earn UCD a point from a strong battle with five Olympians on display.

Sarah Young had given the students the perfect start when she swooped off the pads to score a penalty corner rebound in the early minutes. Pam Smithwick did brilliantly against her alma mater to deny them a second when she got down to low to keep out Katherine Egan.

But Insta started to make waves of their own and they were level in the 17th minute with a swift move down the middle. Their Olympians were key to it with Naomi Carroll feeding Róisín Upton who picked out the run of Liz Ryan to the left of goal and she was on hand to shovel in first time.

The Limerick side enjoyed a lot of the ball between the second and third quarters but they looked like they had been caught on the break when UCD found the net. After a lengthy discussion, though, play was brought back for an Institute free some 80-metres away from their goal for an earlier incident.

And the hosts duly went in front in the 60th minute following a brilliant interception on the 23-metre line which was quickly worked into the circle and crossed for Leah Clery to finish off.

It left UCD only a short while to fight back but they forged forward, winning a couple of corners while Hannah McLoughlin’s driving runs almost unlocked the door. In the end, their leveller was something of a scramble but Marshall was on hand to get the final credit.

Muckross 1 (L Hanlon) Cork Harlequins 1 (M Barry)
Two almost identical penalty corner moves meant the points were shared at Grange Road between two new look sides with Laura Hanlon and Michelle Barry cancelling each other out.

Cork Harlequins’ Michelle Barry on the attack. Picture: Adrian Boehm

The Dubliners started in the ascendancy with a couple of early corners while Caroline Mathews vision from the back was a key feature and Sophie Barnwell’s surging runs a feature. For Quins, Yvonne O’Byrne was the driving force with Barry providing the creativity further up the field along with the beautiful skills of Julia McCarthy.

Hanlon broke the deadlock from a switch move back to the injector, flicking home from the left of the circle for 1-0 at half-time. Barnwell went within inches of a second early in the third quarter before Quins started to run up the corner count with a trio coming in quick succession.

And they got on the board when they used the same move to pick out Barry on the left post and she flicked in. And they had another corner chance on the final whistle but Muckross held them at bey to leave it at 1-1.

Pegasus 1 (E Armstrong) Pembroke Wanderers 1 (C Foley)
Reigning champions Pegasus and a confident Pembroke drew 1-1 from a well-matched battle at Queen’s to open up their respective campaigns.

Claire Foley put Pembroke in front in the 33rd minute after a flurry of attacks. One crash ball found them with an overload and the ball was worked to Foley for a close-range finish.

Peagsus got their equaliser via an excellent give and go move on the left touchline with Ella Armstrong storming on, laying the ball off the baseline and then getting back for a great finish.

The hosts had three corner chances in succession but could not nick a second to take a lead into the closing quarter. Pembroke, meanwhile, pushed on in the final stanza but were also kept out by Megan Todd.

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Goals galore on opening day of men’s EY Hockey League

** YMCA celebrate a Matthew Walker goal. Picture: Sinéad Hingston

With 26 goals across five matches, the men’s EY Hockey League returned with drama a plenty. Here’s the round-up of the first day of action!

Men’s EY Hockey League – day one round-up
Annadale 3 (R Davidson, O McElhinney, D Tremlett) Corinthian 3 (C Futcher 2, D Howard)
Both Corinthian and Annadale were left to reflect on whether it was a point gained or a two points lost from a topsy-turvy tie in which both sides held the lead only to be pegged back.

For Dale, bolstered by the return of Callum and Michael Robson and the arrival of Tim Cross, they were up and running when Robbie Davidson broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. That came from a pitch-length counter-attack from a Corinthian corner, Davidson popping up in front of Simon Thornton to slot home.

The Ulster side were two to the good four minutes later, this time another of their additions for this campaign – Owen McElhinney – guiding home a crash ball to make it 2-0.

The reds, though, responded well and were back in the mix when Chad Futcher netted a debut goal from a corner, the South African international whipping home in impressive fashion. It remained 2-1 until the final quarter when Futcher grabbed his second from mid-circle.

And the reds looked on course for the victory when Davy Howard scored from the penalty spot after a physical challenge wide on the right of the circle. But Dale kept battling and the Robson brothers worked the opening, Michael feeding Callum on the his way down the left channel; the latter’s reverse stick cross turned in by Tremlett.

Glenanne 2 (S O’Donoghue, J McCormack) Lisnagarvey 1 (J Lorimer)
Glenanne produced an excellent first performance of the season to beat off a fancied Lisnagarvey at St Andrew’s. The prolific Shane O’Donoghue opened the scoring in the second quarter from play and that lead was augmented in the second half by Jonny McCormack before Garvey got a lifeline with nine minutes to go via a James Lorimer penalty corner.

Early on, the Glens were thankful to goalkeeper David Lawless who made some excellent point blank saves while Ben Nelson and James Corry could not find the target with great chances. O’Donoghue’s opening goal came direct from a free-in, dribbling into the circle and then flipping the ball over a stick before batting in the chance.

His side had a trio of corner chances repelled before Lawless also came to the fore when his defence were unable to clear under pressure from Nelson. He did have the ball in the net in the third quarter with a brilliant piece of ball juggling to an overhead into the circle – after an umpire’s discussion, the goal was disallowed.

Kevin Venter cleaned a corner from the goalmouth to keep the slender lead intact and they went up the field and doubled the advantage soon after. Shannon Boucher took a quick sideline ball, got it to Gavin Gibney whose cross was turned in by McCormack.

Lorimer got one back with a rocket of a shot and Garvey piled on the pressure in the closing minutes but Glenanne defended their circle superbly to hold on for the points.

Monkstown 1 (G Cole) Banbridge 1 (Ph Brown)
Geoff Cole’s excellent goal four minutes from time saw Monkstown snatch a share of the spoils at Rathdown against Banbridge after a high octane battle between two sides who will fancy their chances at the playoff places this term.

Cole was at the back post to turn in Jazze Henry’s baseline cross following a patient move from front to back which went perfectly through the lines before finding the opening down the left.

It cancelled out Philip Brown’s powerful effort, following up from a blocked corner chance from mid-circle for 1-0 in the third quarter. It was a deserved lead for Banbridge who had most of the first half chances, only to be denied by some excellent Dave Fitzgerald stops while two other big chances flashed across the face of goal.

Luke Roleston was similarly strong on the half-time hooter to tip away a Guy Sarratt drag-flick. As time wore on, Bann looked to be controlling proceedings well with Eugene Magee deployed in a sweeper role and they went ahead from their fifth corner of the game.

Monkstown, though, pushed on in the closing minutes with Lee Cole brilliantly denied an equaliser by Roleston at close quarters just before the vital goal from his younger brother.

YMCA celebrate a Harry McCarthy goal. Pic Sinead Hingston (1)

UCD 2 (S Walker, S Byrne) Three Rock Rovers 5 (A Empey 4, R Spencer)
Ali Empey produced a spectacular set of four goals to mark his return to Three Rock Rovers in style, earning against the points against the club he played for last season. It was another one of the new arrivals at Grange Road who opened the deadlock when Ryan Spencer got on the end of a superb interception and crash ball from Jody Hosking.

Sam Walker equalised from UCD’s second corner with a diving touch to Harry Lynch’s swept ball into the danger zone. Both were former Rovers players lining out against their siblings, Walker against older brother James, Lynch against younger brother Alex with Peter also in UCD colours for good measure.

Empey put Rovers back in front before half-time, peeling left before turning right to a ball to the top of the D, slamming home on his open side. His next came in the third quarter, this time peeling left and flipping onto his reverse and unleashing a rocket into the roof of the net.

UCD were level with a very sharp piece of work from Sam Byrne but the game was put out of reach when Empey pinched the ball off the last defender and swept home from the top of the circle. And he tipped in a handy rebound from Fred Morris’s shot to complete the victory.

YMCA 5 (R Henderson 3, H McCarthy, M Walker) Pembroke Wanderers 3 (A Sothern 2, J Dale)
YMCA carried on where they left off 12 months ago, making it four wins in succession between this term and the short-loved 2020/21 campaign as Ross Henderson’s hat trick propelled them to victory over Pembroke.

In a cagey first quarter, the visitors could not make the best of three penalty corners but the game burst spectacularly into life in the second phase with five goal. A quick break from Fionn Marriott down the right side was followed by a hard, bobbly ball into the circle to Ross Henderson who controlled and finished very well.

Pembroke hit back immediately through Alan Sothern as he waltzed into D to score the equaliser and he added another a few minutes later from a stroke after Julian Dale was denied by a sliding tackle.

But the Y had the lead for a second time just before half-time. First off, Henderson picked up another long ball into the D behind the back of the defence and applied a great scoring moment for 2-2.

Then another breakaway down the right saw Matt Walker making a tackle in his own 25 and passing to Sam Hyland. Walker continued his run and Hyland weighted an overhead to him perfectly, picking it up at the endline where he pulled the ball back to Harry McCarthy to finish off the goal of the day.

Walker went himself for the fourth goal in the third quarter to make it 4-2, smashing home from the centre of the D from breaking ball. Henderson completed his hat trick after an excellent attacking move instigated by Ben Stewart on his first team debut.

Julian Dale pulled one back from a corner drag to make it 5-3 and a YM yellow soon after kept things interesting for a spell but the hosts saw out the closing 10 minutes to earn the spoils.

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Women’s EY Hockey League – team-by-team preview

Belfast Harlequins
Coach: Phil Mills (3rd season), Asst Coach Peter Pollock; Manager: Roisin Walsh (3rd season)
Players in: Jane Kilpatrick (Loughborough Students), Jodie Kee, Sophie Hunter (Nottingham Uni), Olivia Beattie (Mossley), Imogen Graham (Rainey), Andrea Desneaux, Katie Larmour (following graduation from Rutgers Uni USA for 2nd half of season).
Players out: Bethany Harper ACL, Serena Barr (ACL hopefully back at some stage) , Julie Dennison (about to give birth!) Ella Agnew off to Edinburgh Uni

Overview: A fresh injection of some great young players has given Belfast Harlequins’ coach, Phil MIlls a healthy squad to work with. Joining from Loughborough Students, Irish development panelist Jane Kilpatrick has added strength and speed to the defence whilst schoolgirl Imogen Graham has shown maturity beyond her years, growing in confidence with each game.

Belfast Harlequins’ Lizzie Colvin. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Sophie Hunter and Jodie Kee are former juniors who the club are delighted to welcome back following work and university days in England. Natalie Lyttle née Barr is defying logic by turning out in preseason games a mere seven weeks following the birth of baby Micah.

They also have Emma Uprichard and Olivia Beattie in positive mood from their UK School Games, both raring to go. Co-Captain, Jenna Watt is ‘buzzing ‘ for the new season with a team gelling well on and off the pitch. The Barr twins are both out for the time-being with ACL injuries but Serena could be back at some stage during the campaign. There is also the exciting possibility of Katie Larmour returning from Rutgers in the US for the second half of the season.

Catholic Institute
Head Coach: David Passmore, Assistant Coach: Ger O’Carroll, Manager – Brenda Moloney
Players in: Jenny Clein (UCC), Lizzie Ryan (Boston University)
Players out: Lauren Ryan (UCC)

Overview: Having started like a house on fire last term, the Limerick side will be hoping for more of the same. Homegrown Olympians Roisin Upton and Naomi Carroll will again be key players but the spine of the team is bound through the experience of Goalkeeper Pam Smithwick and the calm heads of Christine O’Shea and Ciara Moloney and club stalwart Rosie Pratt.

Institute have a number of good young players who have featured in pre-season friendlies including Thurles pupil Kate Ryan. However, it’s some of those in their early twenties who are pushing the standards including Eimear Ryan and returnee Jenny Clein along with fast developing Laura Foley and Anna Horan.

Catholic Institute’s Laura Foley. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Coach David Passmore said ahead of the season: “It will be great to get back playing competitive hockey after the long lay-off. After an exciting start last time out the players are raring to go but post lockdown holidays, injuries (especially Roisin Begley) and availability have resulted in a lack of continuity in the pre-season period. Finding pre-season fixtures has also been problematic so it is hard to gauge where we are at. I have no doubt we will be hard to play against, difficult to beat and will surprise a few teams with our attacking play.”

Cork Harlequins
Coach: Edward Gash (1st season), Manager: Vanessa Sargent
Players in: Niamh Sexton (Lock Haven University), Ruby Walsh, Katie Moore, Beatrice O’Hare (up from the youth section)
Players out: Siri Forde (not playing), Emily O’ Leary (Ashton), Isabel Lyons (UCC)

Overview: Co-captains Yvonne O’Byrne and Michelle Barry will again be hugely influential this season, providing valuable experience to a young Quins team. Lauren Cripps has impressed with the Irish Under-19 team this summer and will be an important player in the centre of the Quins defence.

Striker Leah O’Shea will no doubt provide one of the main threats up front for Quins, her performances this summer earning her a place on the Irish Under-23 squad. Another one to watch is 17-year-old Julia McCarthy in the Quins forward line up. Scoring on her EYHL debut last season, her impressive skill level makes her a real threat in the circle.

Eddie Gash takes on the coaching job from Darren Collins and he says of the campaign: “It’s great to get back to hockey matches after enjoying watching the Olympics over the summer. This team is an exciting mix of youth and experience and we are looking forward to getting the league started.”

Loreto
Coach: Paul Fitzpatrick (6th Season); Asst Coach: Ian Clarke; Manager: Anne Marie Curran
Players in: none
Players out: none

Loreto’s Christina Hamill and Hannah Matthews. PIcture: Adrian Boehm

Overview: Keen contenders in each of the last few seasons, the Beaufort club bring a settled panel into the new season with plenty of international talent to filter back into the team. Hannah Matthews, Lizzie Murphy and Sarah Torrans were part of the Tokyo squad while the Junior Green Army featured attacking threat Siofra O’Brien, Lisa Mulcahy, Yasmin Pratt and Christina Hamill.

Cailtin Sherin was also involved over the summer and, back to full speed, she can be a massive addition. With Ali Meeke bringing her unique bag of tricks to midfield, they are shaping up nicely once again for a good campaign.

Muckross
Coaches: Dave Sheils & Ralph Billings (1st Season) – Manager Freda Canavan
Players in: Julia Balcerak (LKS Gasawa, Poland), Lelia O’Byrne (UCD), Aoife Glennon (Pembroke)
Players out: Ellie McLoughlin (UCD), Sarah McAuley (UCD), India Cotter (Northeastern, USA), Annabel Sweetnam (The Netherlands), Sinead McGirr, Louise McCollum (work commitments), Susie Cannon (travelling)

Overview: Muckross will bring a fresh-faced line-up to the new season following a busy summer with Rob Abbott initially taking up the coaching role before having to step back for personal reasons. It means Dave Sheils and Ralph Billings will take on the job of moulding the team this time around.

Muckross’s Sophie Barnwell. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“The opportunity to working with this squad is exciting,” they said of the team. “There is a great mix of youth and experience in this club and the support for each other is so very strong. Looking forward to the challenges ahead in EYHL.”

Julia Balcerak’s arrival from Poland and Lelia O’Byrne’s return to the club are boosts but there have been significant departures with Olympian Sarah McAuley heading to UCD and Irish panelist Ellie McLoughlin also going to Belfield. Aoife Glennon is a talented goalkeeper on the incoming list.

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Old Alex
Coaches: Cathy McKean (first season), Eimear Cregan (first season), Clodagh Grealy (manager), Nicky King/Louisa Healy (Gk Coach, first season)
Players in: Gisela Estrenjer (Atlètic Terrassa), Jess McGirr (Muckross), Niamh Sweeney (Railway Union), Holly Micklem (Corinthian)
Players out: Jeamie Deacon, Hannah Mc Dermott, Freya McDermott

Overview: Old Alex enter the new season with a brand new coaching team packed with international experience as Cathy McKean and Eimear Cregan reprise their teamwork from the Irish senior squad of roughly a decade ago with Nicky King and Louisa Healy also on the staff.

McKean said of the new season: “For inspiration I think I will defer to the words of the great trailblazer, Antonio Machado: ‘Traveller, there is no road; you make your own path as you walk.’ We look forward to pushing ourselves to our limits, and then beyond.”

The side were right in the mix for honours before 2019/20 came to a shuddering halt; then coach Niall Denham has since departed for New Zealand but they look like they have plenty of talent to be contenders again with the likes of Deirdre Duke, Lena Tice and Nikki Evans currently on the books. If all available, they will be among the sides to watch.

Jess McGirr is a strong addition along with All-Ireland LGFA winner Niamh Sweeney, linking up again with her Wesley schoolmate Sarah Robinson.

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Pegasus
Coach: Craig McGrugan (1st season); Manager: Gerry McIvor
Players in: Katie McKee (Beeston); Julie Lonergan (Clydesdale Western Hockey Club)
Players out: Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks), Ellie Montgomery (Queens University); Olivia Berry (Exeter University)

Overview: The most recent EY Champions Trophy winners, Pegasus will be under the tutelage of head coach Craig McGrugan this season, hoping to emulate their success under Greg Thompson.

Pegasus’s Niamh McIvor. Picture: Adrian Boehm

The summer moves have seen a number of university-related switches with Katie McKee back after a spell in England with Beeston while Scottish player Julie Lonergan is now studying at Queen’s, making the move from Clydesdale Western. On the flip side, the hugely talented Charlotte Beggs has gone to Ulster Elks, Ellie Montgomery to Queen’s and Olivia Berry to Exeter University for their studies.

There is plenty of talent and experience to go around with Michelle Chisholm, Kerri McDonald, Ruth Maguire and Shirley McCay providing lots of top-line know-how. Niamh McIvor is a big talent to watch out for.

“Preseason has been really enjoyable as our focus was on building team morale and getting back on the pitch and developing the love for hockey again,” the club posted ahead of the campaign.

“We organised a little preseason tournament that included Pembroke, Loreto, Old Alex and Belfast Harlequins. The goal was to allow us all to have fun over that weekend while playing decent competitive hockey. All teams seemed to enjoy it. We really look forward to the start of the EYHL again with another eye on our EHL planning!”

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Pembroke
Coach: Gavin Groves; assistant coach: Stephen Brownlow; manager: Sinead Guilfoyle
Players in: Issy Delamer (Trinity), Ellen Curran (UCD), Felicity McCarthy (City of Peterborough HC)
Players out: Maebh Horan, Emma Paul (UCD), Caoimhe Byrne (UCD), Aoife Glennon (Muckross)

Pembroke’s Gillian Pinder. PIcture: Adrian Boehm

Overview: A short, sharp preseason for Pembroke after the long wait to return but club coach Gavin Groves says the team are “delighted we were able to attract some really exciting players in Ellen Curran and Issy Delamer into the squad having lost two or three younger players to college hockey”.

He adds Felicity McCarthy has fitted in well to the line up and believes the club “have a group that can really challenge for trophies this year”.

And that belief looks well placed with World Cup silver medalists Gillian Pinder and Emily Beatty lining out alongside Sinead Loughran, Leah McGuire and Orla Macken.

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Railway Union
Coach: Una McCarthy; assistant coach: Gareth Myburgh; manager: Margaret Shaw
Players in: Emma Smyth, Kate Dillon, Hannah de Burgh Whyte
Players out: none

Railway Union celebrate last October. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Overview: Railway Union were enjoying something of a renaissance at the start of last season with three battling wins in succession before the unceremonious end to the campaign. Sarah Hawkshaw was in inspired form for a hard-working outfit and she will again be the fore along with key players like Lisa McCarthy, Kate Lloyd and Patton sisters Orla and Sarah.

They will also benefit from the heavily-decorated Emma Smyth, Kate Dillon and Hannah de Burgh Whyte who have returned to the fold. Youngsters Katie Fearon and Martha McCready will benefit from a summer of youth international experience while no major departures means Una McCarthy’s charges can approach the season with confidence.

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UCD
Coaches: Lisa Jacob, Fiona Connery (first season)
Players in: Emma Paul (Pembroke), Sarah McAuley (Muckross), Caoimhe Byrne (Pembroke), Ellie McLoughlin (Muckross)
Players out: Ellen Curran (Pembroke) Clodagh Cassin (UK) Nina Heisterkamp (travelling)

Overview: It has been a perhaps slight disjointed preseason with a combination of the early season start and the CAO offers along with players returning from international squad. All-in-all, though, it has been a healthy summer for UCD’s new coaching team of Lisa Jacob – returning to the club with whom she captained to the 2009 Irish Senior Cup – and Fiona Connery.

They have picked up some of Irish hockey’s big prospects with goalkeeper Ellie McLoughlin coming in for Clodagh Cassin, Irish Under-19 captain Emma Paul bolstering the defence and Olympian Sarah McAuley taking up an Ad Astra scholarship. She joins her fellow Tokyo alumni Michelle Carey and Hannah McLoughlin and Irish development panelists KJ Marshall, Niamh Carey and Sophia Cole for an exciting line-up.

On the graduation list is last season’s captain Ellen Curran who switches to Pembroke.

UCD’s Michelle Carey. Picture: Adrian Boehm

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Men’s EYHL Division One – team-by-team preview

Annadale

Coach: Richard Fairman (third season)

Players in: Michael Robson (Crefelder HTC Germany), Tim Cross (Tilburg, Holland), Callum Robson (Crefelder HTC Germany), Owen McElhinney (GHHC Groningen, Holland)

Players out: Fergus Gibson (Loughborough Students)

Overview: Annadale have had a hugely productive summer, welcoming back some serious international talent with brother Michael and Callum Robson back at their original club after a spell in Germany while fellow senior star Tim Cross is another big addition. The link up with youth internationals James Clark, Paddy Rose and Kent Irwin.

Callum Robson is back at Annadale. Pic: Adrian Boehm

It is slightly tempered by Fergus Gibson – another who played in August’s Euros – moving to Loughborough but Dale look much better equipped to move away from the bottom rungs they occupied in the two abandoned seasons.

And coach Richard Fairman is looking forward to the challenge, saying: “it’s been an exciting preseason welcoming our returning players and also our new arrivals. We are very much looking forward to what, hopefully, will be an uninterrupted season of hockey.”

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Banbridge:

Coach: Scott McCandless; assistant coaches: John Clarke and Gareth Lennox

Players in: John McKee (Crefelder HTC)

Players out: Ben Wallace(Brooklands), Drew Carlisle (Belfast Harlequins)

Banbridge in their new Ulster Carpets-sponsored kit

Overview: Banbridge are another Ulster club to welcome back one of their favourite sons with John McKee coming back following a spell in the German ranks, coming back to the club after an impressive EuroHockey Championship II campaign.

They have had a rigorous preseason which saw English outfit Brooklands visit Havelock with a return trip to play the same opponents along with Holcombe and Oxted. Preseason concluded with games against Lisnagarvey and Pembroke Wanderers.

Coach Scott McCandless is delighted with how things have gone to date with the latest crop of underage stars – like Charlie and Louie Rowe and Mark Cowan –  pushing hard for inclusion in match day squads. Eugene Magee and Bruce McCandless provide the experience to inspire the young guns but Drew Carlisle has stepped back, linking up with Belfast Harlequins this term.

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Corinthian

Coach: Brinsley Powell (1st season); Assistant coach: Peter Caruth

Players in: Simon Thornton (Pembroke), Chad Futcher (South Africa), Stephen Reid (Australia)

Players out: Joe Brennan, Neil Pelow (Cork C of I), Ashley Kemp (South Africa)

Corinthian’s Craig Mackay. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Overview: The reds have strengthened with the arrival of Chad Futcher – known as Thor –  from South Africa having helped Wits University to win the Premier League and has accumulated both indoor and outdoor international caps.

A fellow South African Brinsley Powell takes over the coaching reins with Peter Caruth reprising the assistant role he held with Joe Brennan last season. Simon Thornton dons the pads on day one against Annadale after his move from Pembroke.

Other than that, it is largely a homegrown team with Ian Stewart earning a long-deserved call-up to the Irish side and Craig Mackay shining for the Under-19s in the summer; David Howard brings the corner threat.

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Glenanne

Player coach: Shane O’Donoghue; Assistant coaches: Ralph Billings & David Shaw; Managers: Gerry Shaw & Noel Keogh

Players in: Kevin Venter (South Africa) David Lawless (Clontarf) Lorenzo Della Corte (Railway Union)

Players out: Iain Walker, Stephen Brownlow (both retired), Matt Mitchie (Returned to Manchester) Kevin Mellott (Studying)

Glenanne’s Brad Venter. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Overview: Glenanne player-coach Shane O’Donoghue is looking forward to an enjoyable season in upbeat fashion, saying: “Players are keen to get back playing, work hard and just enjoy playing competitive sport again”.

His brains-trust has expanded well with Ralph Billings and David Shaw bringing extra quality to the assistant coach roles from their variety of experiences. Iain Walker has retired for a second time while Stephen Brownlow is also taking a break. It opens the door for David Lawless to make his debut in the EY Hockey League having been a star for Clontarf in recent years.

Their South African contingent has expanded too with Brad Venter and Shannon Boucher joined by Kevin Venter, adding extra quality to a line-up which is powered by O’Donoghue’s brilliance in midfield and from corners as well as Sam O’Connor and Neil Byrne.

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Lisnagarvey

Coach: Erroll Lutton; Asst Coach: Steven Arbuthnot; GK Coach: Raymond Geddis; Manager: Dean Beckett

Players in: Matthew Nelson (Loughborough), Peter McKibbin (Grossflottbeker THGC); Ollie Kidd (Nottingham Trent)

Players out: Paddy Hunter (Exeter University)

Lisnagarvey celebrating their Irish Senior Cup win last September. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Overview: Probably the stand-out side from the past two incomplete seasons, Erroll Lutton has a number of extra options at his disposal this year while many of his young guns had busy summers, working with the Irish senior squad.

Matthew Nelson is back after stints in Germany and England to join his brothers Daniel and recent international Ben while Peter McKibbin is back from Grossflottbekker. Ollie Kidd is one of the youngsters who trained with the Irish seniors along with Mark McNellis, Troy Chambers, James Milliken and Jonny Lynch

With the Green Machine players otherwise occupied, Lutton was able to give game time to another new generation of youngsters in preseason in games against Brooklands, Banbridge and Cookstown before recording a strong performance against YMCA last week with the coach pleased with the outcomes.

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Monkstown

Coach: Eddie O’Malley (1st season)

Players in: Guy Sarratt (UCD)

Players out: Ryan Spencer (Three Rock Rovers); Josh Filgas (UCD)

Overview: Eddie O’Malley moves up to the main job having initially taken on the role as Monkstown assistant coach last summer, following Gareth Watkins into the role after he moved south to Cork to coach UCC.

New Monkstown coach Eddie O’Malley. Picture: Adrian Boehm

On the player-movement front, Guy Sarratt is a serious addition, bringing one of the top scorers in the EY Hockey League back to the club he grew up at. Josh Filgas goes the other way to UCD while Ryan Spencer has switched to Three Rock Rovers.

With Lee and Stephen Cole and Jeremy Duncan in the line-up, they will be looking to push for a top four spot and a shot at a first national title since 2016. Preseason has been busy with wins over Three Rock and Banbirdge, a draw with Corinthian and a loss to YMCA.

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Pembroke

Coach: Paudie Carley (fourth season); assistant coaches: Devin Donnelly (3rd season), Alan Sothern (3rd season)

Players in: Philip Förster (Nuremburg HTC, Germany), Ilko Dartsch (Germany), Mark Duggan (Clontarf)

Players out: Fionn O’Leary (Bandon), Simon Thornton (Corinthian)

Pembroke during a preseason trip to Banbridge

Overview: Given their dominance in the noughties, it is strange to think it is 11 years since Pembroke won their last national crown but they look to have a reasonably settled panel which can do some damage this season.

Philip Förster’s arrival from Germany and the addition of youth international Mark Duggan adds to Paudie Carley’s deck in which Olympian Alan Sothern is a key figure up front and as assistant coach.

Indeed, it is a side with goals in it with Isaac Johnson, Robert McCollum and Julian Dale involved while they have a heathy bunch of mid-20s players which will serve them well, even though the dynamic Kirk Shimmins is now in London.

“Pre-season, we have been integrating new players and giving some youth team members a run in the extended squad. Delighted to be back at hockey and looking forward to a solid post-Covid season,” is Carley’s initial assessment.

**

Three Rock Rovers

Coach: Elun Hack (third season); manager: Fraser Morris; physio: Huw Rees

Players in: Alistair Empey (UCD), Andrew Keane (UCD), Ben McInerney (Waterford), Ryan Spencer (Monkstown), Matteo Romoli (UCD), Fred Morris (Laren, Netherlands), Mark Samuel (UCD)

Players out: Ben McCrea (Netherlands), Sam Grace (Clontarf), Ben Walker (Braxgata, Belgium), Harry Morris (work abroad), Ravin Nair, Daragh Walsh (KHC Leuven), Mitch Darling (retired), James Kyriakides (work in London), Ethan Flynn (UCD)

Three Rock Rovers’ Harry MacMahon. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Overview: A rollercoaster of a summer for Three Rock Rovers for whom a large chunk of their three in-a-row winning side are unavailable this time around. Daragh Walsh (returning to KHC Leuven) and Ben Walker (Braxgata) are the latest co-opted to play in Belgium while club legend Mitch Darling has retired, ending with three Irish Senior Cup, three EY Champions Trophy and one All-Ireland Club Championship crown to his name.

With Harry Morris, Ben McCrea and James Kyriakides moving away for work, Elun Hack has seen the panel overhauled in recent weeks. Ali Empey, Andy Keane and Mark Samuel return from UCD along with Matteo Romoli while Fred Morris is back from the Netherlands. Ryan Spencer (Monkstown) and Ben McInerney (Waterford) add more options. The job now is to see how to gel together after such a turnover. A glut of youth players have been given a chance to shine in preseason, too.

“There is much potential here and I look forward to see it develop in the course of the season,” said coach Hack.

**

UCD

Coach: Ronan Hickey (first season)

Players in: Kevin O’Dea (Cork C of I), Josh Filgas (Monkstown), Matthew O’Brien Holohan (Monkstown), Ethan Flynn (Three Rock Rovers), Jay Menelaou (Avoca)

Players out: Conor Empey (SCHC, Netherlands), Guy Sarratt (Monkstown), Ali Empey (Three Rock Rovers), Andrew Keane (Three Rock Rovers), Matteo Romoli (Three Rock Rovers), Scott Ruttle (YMCA), Jamie Pullen (Erasmus), Stephen Dawson

UCD’s Sam Walker. Pic: Sinéad Hingston

Overview: After a strong spell, pushing to be part of the upper echelons of the EYHL and a first ever Irish Senior Cup final appearance, this year looks to be a year of reinvention. It follows the departure of big stars Conor Empey and corner expert Guy Sarratt, both who have been on the fringes of the national setup.

Their exact line-up will also be a bit later than usual to be finalised due to the earlier start to the season with Leaving Cert and CAO points only tabulated this week. The big news on that front, though, is Irish senior international Kevin O’Dea has been signed up; in tandem with Harry Lynch, they can do plenty of damage.

New coach Ronan Hickey says he is “delighted to be back in UCD where I started my coaching career. There’s so much potential here and the team has taken enormous strides in recent years. I’m looking forward to meeting the players and building on the great foundations established by Michael over the past two seasons.”

**

YMCA

Coach: Jason Klinkradt; assistant coach: Justin Sherriff

Players in: Scott Ruttle (UCD)

Players out: none

Overview: Of all the sides to be frustrated by last season’s short-lived tenure, YMCA are chief among them. After a couple of years of struggle, they looked set for their EY season with three wins out of three before the abrupt end to proceedings.

With minimal turnover means there is plenty of belief they can carry that momentum through, particularly having retained the services of South African Olympian Peabo Lembethe. That mood is boosted by a preseason win over Monkstown and a competitive showing against Lisnagarvey at Comber Road.

Sam Hyland and Matthew Walker both made inroads into the Irish senior setup during the summer while Grant Glutz’s diverse options as goal-getting striker, sometime enforcer at the back, and corner expert, gives them a couple of different styles of play to work off. Scott Ruttle’s return from UCD is the only formal transfer listed in or out.

YMCA team talk during their win at Banbridge last term. Picture: Sinéad Hingston

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EY Hockey Leagues back with a bang this Saturday

The EY Hockey Leagues – the sport’s flagship club competition in Ireland – will make it’s much anticipated return this Saturday with many Olympians and World Cup stars on display across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Indeed, anticipation is especially high to see where each team stands after two truncated seasons due to Covid-19 and Hockey Ireland is thrilled to have the continued support of EY who have promoted the league since 2015.

Ahead of the big restart, Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner for EY Ireland, commented: “EY is delighted to be entering its sixth year as lead sponsor of the EY Hockey League, against the backdrop of what has been an incredibly challenging 18 months for sport.

“Now, as we slowly and safely emerge from the pandemic, we can all look forward to an exciting sporting season ahead and in particular a terrific 2021/2022 hockey season.

“The EY Hockey league never disappoints. The level of skill and sportsmanship on display by teams competing in the league is always outstanding. I cannot wait to see what surprises this year’s league will bring. On behalf of EY, I would like to wish every success to all of the teams competing in the league this season. ”

The action begins on Saturday with four women’s EY Hockey League Division One games and five matches in the men’s competition. The second tier EY Hockey League Division Two fixtures, meanwhile, will hit the turf in late November.

In addition to the long-awaited return to competitive action, the EYHL also provides the first chance for fans to see members of the Irish women’s side up close since the Tokyo Olympic Games.

For example, a number of them could be in action at the season curtain-raiser at Rosbrien as Limerick’s Catholic Institute face UCD with Róisín Upton, Naomi Carroll (both Institute), Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughlin and Michelle Carey (all UCD) in the mix.

It is among the highlights of day one of the season which also features Muckross against Cork Harlequins, Belfast Harlequins hosting Old Alex and the reigning champions – from the 2018/19 season – Pegasus welcome an ever-improving Pembroke outfit.

Action from the 2019 EY Champions Trophy final. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Pegs will be under the tutelage of new coach Craig McGrugan with the inspirational Shirley McCay bringing a powerful presence to the table. Pembroke had added Ellen Curran to their squad having led UCD to the 2020 Irish Senior Cup crown.  Loreto’s date with Railway Union has been postponed.

On the men’s side, a feature of the last couple of years has been the return of some top stars from abroad to add to the quality of the league.

Monkstown were the beneficiaries last summer when Lee Cole and Jeremy Duncan came back to Dublin after a few years in Belgium. Their first opponent, Banbridge, have one of their favourite sons – Johnny McKee – back in the fold following time with Crefelder HTC in Germany.

Lisnagarvey, meanwhile, similarly welcome back Matthew Nelson and Peter McKibbin after spells from the continent, boosting their star-studded squad. Their first day out is a trip to Glenanne on day one who will be inspired once again by player-coach Shane O’Donoghue.

Similarly, Annadale have current international brothers Michael and Callum Robson back from Germany and Tim Cross joins from Tilburg in the Netherlands. Their first game is against Corinthian. Ambitious YMCA and Pembroke meet at Wesley while UCD and Three Rock Rovers both look like wildcard teams having seen very large overhauls of their panels this summer.

** Longer previews to be posted later today. All the games will be covered and promoted via the Hockey Ireland website and social media channels through the weekend. Use the hashtag #EYHL to keep track of all the updates.

Saturday 11th September 2021
Men
EYHL Division 1: Annadale v Corinthian, Lagan College, 2.30pm; Glenanne v Lisnagarvey, St. Andrews College, 3pm; Monkstown v Banbridge, Rathdown, 2.30pm; UCD v Three Rock Rovers, Belfield, 1pm; YMCA v Pembroke Wanderers, Wesley College, 3.50pm

Women
EYHL Division 1: Belfast Harlequins v Old Alexandra, Deramore Park, 2.30pm; Catholic Institute v UCD, Rosbrien, 1pm; Muckross v Cork Harlequins, Grange Road, 1pm; Pegasus v Pembroke Wanderers, Queens University, 4.15pm

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Green Army icon Shirley McCay calls time on record-breaking Irish career

** Shirley McCay pictured above at the World Cup semi-final in 2018. Picture: Frank Uijlenbroek/World Sport Pics

Shirley McCay has decided to call time on her international career following a ground-breaking 14-year spell with the Green Army.

Since making her international debut in 2007, the Drumquin native has gone on to play for 316 times, a caps record for both hockey and for female sportswomen in general in Ireland.

A diminutive defender with an eye for a glorious long pass, a teak-tough competitor willing to contest every opponent and situation, her passion and perseverance stand her out as one of the iconic faces of the Green Army’s rise.

A rise which has brought them from obscurity to the world’s elite levels, a journey culminating in the 2018 World Cup silver medal and a maiden appearance for the Irish women at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

While she has dabbled with the idea of retiring on a couple of occasions in the past few years, she feels the time is right following the Olympics for her to step back and “go all in” to guide the next generation of stars through her work as an Ulster Hockey performance coach.

Shirley McCay in action during the Olympic qualifiers. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Her beginnings in the sport came at Omagh Academy, picking up the basics of the game in jig-time, breaking into the senior team at the school when she was just 14. She would be a guiding light in Omagh’s sole Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirls success in 2005.

Omagh Hockey Club soon came calling, “loving life” on the fourth team and enjoying the ride up through the teams before giving some of Ulster’s big guns a run for their money.

There, her development was overseen with Anne Buchanan, Iris Nelson and June Graham crucial figures who became almost ever-present supporters at European Championships – eight in all – among other competitions.

It helped propel her to new heights on the club front, first with Randalstown and then with Ulster Elks – with whom she would win two Irish Senior Cup crowns – KHC Dragons in Belgium, Old Alex and then to Pegasus where she became an EY Champions Trophy winner.

Gene Muller invited her onto the international stage at the age of 18 for a series in Stellenbosch in January 2007. Since then, she has been virtually ever-present, missing just 37 of Ireland’s capped games in 14 and a half years.

Those early days were tough at times with Olympic and World Cup qualification proving well out of reach. Nonetheless, McCay was hooked on the journey and embraced the chance to travel the world, playing the sport she loved and while material success was elusive at the time, there were always moments to last a lifetime.

“In my early career, beating New Zealand in New Zealand [Wellington, 2008] was a special memory. Anytime we could get the better of someone above was a special moment and that was unheard of at the time. Thankfully it became more regular over time but I will never forget that.

“Another eye-opener was playing Argentina in Parana [in 2011] and about 10,000 people must have shown up and gave us an incredible reception. It’s things like that which stay with you, not always the big results but those amazing moments.

Shrley with her nephew at the Olympic qualifiers. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy 

During those early years, she hails the likes of Eimear Cregan, Linda Caulfield, Cathy McKean and Bridget Cleland for bringing her under their wing.

She remembers McKean “just telling me how class I was” at some early sessions, adding to “get something like that from such a good player was special” to hear.

As time went on, though, reaching the top table seemed to draw closer and closer, going within one result of reaching both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

And the breakthrough finally arrived via the World League in 2017, fighting back to beat India to earn a place in the 2018 World Cup.

Prior to that tournament, media reports suggested that would be her last run out in an Irish jersey. Indeed, she very much thought it was going to be the end, a suitable pinnacle after 11 years on the road, before the silver medal run changed everything for everyone involved.

“Getting over the Rio disappointment, it kind of felt like there would never be a bigger stage to go out on a high. Then things turned out the way they did, a way no one expected it to. With the silver medal, it gave us a much better ranking and a chance to qualify for the Olympics. I did not want to leave with any regrets for me or the team having come so far.”

And, of course, that dream was realised in November 2019 with qualification in front of a record crowd at Donnybrook Stadium, a lifetime away from the many years of empty stands and endless unseen effort. Those fixtures took on an extra significance as they marked her 300th cap while she cites walking out and signing the anthem with her nephew Alex as an extra special moment.

Her efforts in the background went on for an extra year due to the Covid-19 pandemic before eventually coming to fruition in July this year.

The side started off in brilliant fashion, breaking their duck with an historic 2-0 win over South Africa. Ultimately, a vital second win proved elusive and their campaign ended in the group stages.

“We were disappointed in regards to reaching our main target of reaching the quarter-finals. We had the capability of doing it but each team had those same dreams and that it why this is the toughest tournament.

“Even South Africa, with their limited preparation, showed some excellent hockey and there absolutely no easy games. Sure, the outcome was disappointing but the whole Olympic experience was filled with massive bucket-list moments.”

While the tournament was her curtain-call from the international playing scene, she knows she will not be too far from a pitchside anytime soon.

Indeed, she dove straight back into camps in her role as an Ulster Hockey Talent Coach and, last weekend, she was part of the coaching staff that saw Ulster win double-gold at the UK Schools Games. And she is thrilled at the prospect of inspiring the next generation on that front.

“Ulster Hockey have been so sympathetic to me and my international career, letting me do bits and pieces in between when I was away. I have been so used to trying to balance playing internationally and the role.

“So I am really looking forward to going all-in, committing to the job and making a difference, helping Ulster’s young talent develop and play to their potential.”

That role leaves her now in a peaceful position to step away from the international stage, paying tribute to her network who helped propel her to such spectacular heights.

“I am indebted to a few people who without their support I wouldn’t be where I am today. My friends, family and loved ones, thanks for putting up with me being grumpy and rarely being around.

“To the coaches I have had throughout my career, I have learnt so much from you all. To our sponsors, SoftCo and Park Developments in particular, thank you for helping prolong an old girl’s career and joining our journey.

“And finally, to every team mate I have ever had the pleasure of playing with, thanks for putting up with me. It has been an honour.”

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Green Army back to work as focus shifts to World Cup qualifiers

The Green Army filtered back into camp this week following a month’s break in the wake of their maiden Olympic campaign as October’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Italy quickly come into view.

The event will take place in Pisa from October 21st to 24th with eight teams taking part from which only one side will earn a place at next summer’s showcase event.

For coach Sean Dancer, it is an uncharacteristically swift return to action with members of the Olympic panel returning to training on a phased basis, linking up on Monday and Tuesday at Abbotstown with members of the development panel.

From Dancer’s previous experience working with New Zealand in 2012 and 2016, there is usually a lengthy post-Games cooling off session but the nature of the Covid-19 affected calendar has brought this new qualifying event into view.

“I’m used to having a big ‘down’ period post the Olympics, the end of the cycle and the beginning of a new one, getting everything ready and preparing for the next Olympics,” Dancer said of the packed calendar.

The format is a winner-takes-all scenario for the one remaining spot at the World Cup. Each game is a knock-out match with top-ranked Ireland (12th in the world) – barring any late changes in entry list – set to face the ever-improving France (27th) in the opening round.

Lying in wait in the semi-finals will be Russia (20th) and Belarus (21st) with the other side of the draw provisionally featuring hosts Italy (17th), Scotland (19th), Poland (23rd) and Wales (25th).

“It’s a cut-throat tournament. Scotland and Italy from the A division and then France with a lot to play for given the next Olympics in Paris, progressing well, it will be a really tough tournament and the reality is only the winner gets to go to the World Cup. Every game is a must-win!

“The way things have unfolded with the qualifiers in October and then hopefully doing well in the World Cup is really important for us. There will be some retirements and plenty of new players will get an opportunity to come in. That brings excitement and we need to harness that and push hard for the next six weeks.”

On that front, Dancer has reassurance the step up from the Under-23 development programme should not be as dramatic as years gone by. That group underwent a busy summer schedule of their own with a wide group of players lining out in fixtures at home and abroad.

And Dancer confirmed a number of players will traverse the squads when they return to the pitch next Monday for training as a group for the first time since returning from Tokyo.

“[Under-23 coach] Dave Passmore has done an excellent job over the summer. It is something that previously had been discussed as we knew there would some players stepping back from the programme and this group and so it was important that group was ready to step in when the time arrives.

“They had some really successful series, beating Wales seniors and GB’s development squad.”

And that link between the two squads has been made even stronger with last week’s news SoftCo have extended their current sponsorship with the senior women’s squad until the end of 2022 while also expanding their support to now be the Under-23 side’s primary sponsor.

“It’s amazing from SoftCo to continue sponsoring us and it is a big boost with the World Cup qualifier around the corner and new players coming into the group. It is a sponsorship that is hugely beneficial and supportive of the team.”

FIH Women’s World Cup 2022 – European qualifier (October 21 to 24, all in Pisa)
Thursday, October 21, quarter-final: Ireland v France, 11.30am
Saturday, October 23, semi-final: to be confirmed
Sunday, October 24, final: to be confirmed

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Irish Senior Cup – Round 2

The Irish Senior Cup round 2 fixtures are confirmed to take place on 16th October with the 6th November held as a provisional date.

Fixtures for the Irish Senior Cup are as follows:

Men’s Irish Senior Cup

Round 1   2nd Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Rathgar Portrane
2 Railway Mossley
3 Bandon Kilkeel
4 Clontarf Cork Harlequins
5 Cookstown Instonians
Round 2   16th Oct’21 
Match # Team V Team
6 Winner 2 Winner 5
7 Annadale Pembroke
8 Lisnagarvey Winner 1
9 Banbridge Monkstown
10 Cork CofI Winner 3
11 YMCA UCD
12 TRR Corinthian
13 Glenanne Winner 4

 

QF   27th Nov ‘21
SF   27th Mar ‘22

 

Women’s Irish Senior Cup

Round 1   2nd Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Monkstown UCC
2 Ulster Elks Ballymoney
3 Banbridge Ards
4 Queens Cork CofI
5 DULHC Corinthian
Round 2   16th Oct’21 
Match # Team V Team
6 Pegasus Winner 2
7 Winner 4 Winner 1
8 Glenanne Winner 3
9 Cork Harlequins Pembroke
10 Lisnagarvey Muckross
11 Catholic Institute Winner 5
12 UCD Old Alex
13 Railway Loreto
QF   27th Nov ‘21
SF   27th Mar ‘22
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Irish cup draws for 2021/22 confirmed

The 2020/21 Hockey Ireland Cup Competition Draws took place on September 3rd at the Hockey Ireland offices. The details for the first and second round draws of the Irish Senior Cup, Irish Hockey Trophy, Irish Hockey Challenge and Irish Junior Cups are below. The subsequent rounds will be drawn at a later date.

Men’s Irish Senior Cup

Round 1   2nd Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Rathgar Portrane
2 Railway Mossley
3 Bandon Kilkeel
4 Clontarf Cork Harlequins
5 Cookstown Instonians
Round 2   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
6 Railway Union Cookstown
7 Annadale Pembroke
8 Lisnagarvey Rathgar
9 Banbridge Monkstown
10 Cork CofI Bandon
11 YMCA UCD
12 TRR Corinthian
13 Glenanne Cork Harlequins
 Quarter Finals   27th Nov ‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 Monkstown YMCA
QF 2 Glenanne Cork CofI
QF 3 Pembroke Cookstown
QF 4 TRR Lisnagarvey
  Semi Finals 27th Mar ’22

Women’s Irish Senior Cup

Round 1   2nd Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Monkstown UCC
2 Ulster Elks Ballymoney
3 Banbridge Ards
4 Queens Cork CofI
5 DULHC Corinthian
Round 2   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
6 Pegasus Ulster Elks
7 Queens UCC
8 Glenanne Banbridge
9 Cork Harlequins Pembroke
10 Lisnagarvey Muckross
11 Catholic Institute Corinthian
12 UCD Old Alex
13 Railway Loreto
Quarter Finals   27th Nov ‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 Muckross Pegasus
QF 2 Queens Pembroke
QF 3 Banbridge Catholic Institute
QF 4 UCD Railway
Semi Finals   27th Mar ‘22

 

Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy

Round 1   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Ballynahinch Catholic Institute
2 Dublin North Bray
3 Belfast Harlequins UCC
4 Bangor Kilkenny
5 Ashton Portadown
6 NICS Queens
7 Avoca   South Antrim
8 North Down Newry

 

  Round 2   6th Nov‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 Dublin North Queens
QF 2 Catholic Institute Portadown
QF 3 North Down Belfast Harlequins
QF 4 South Antrim Bangor
Semi Finals
 19th Feb ‘22

 

Women’s Irish Hockey Trophy

Round 1   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Clontarf Rathgar
2 Portadown Mossley
3 Greenfields Bandon
4 YMCA Galway
5 TRR Ashton
6 Kilkenny Armagh
7 Bray Raphoe
8 North Kildare North Down
  Round 2   6th Nov‘21
Match # Team V Team
9 CI Ladies Ashton
10 YMCA Waterford
11 Mossley Raphoe
12 Clontarf Belvedere
13 Genesis Our ladys
14 Bandon NUIG
15 Avoca North Kildare
16 Dungannon Armagh
Quarter Finals 27th Nov ‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 winner of match 14 winner of match 15
QF 2 winner of match 13 winner of match 10
QF 3 winner of match 9 winner of match 12
QF 4 winner of match 11 winner of match 16
  Semi Finals 19th Feb ‘22

Men’s Irish Junior Cup

Round 1 30th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Kilkeel Bandon
2 UCD Bangor
3 Corinthian Cork CofI
4 TRR YMCA
5 North Down Avoca
6 Cork Harlequins Instonians
7 Cookstown Rathgar
8 Railway South Antrim
     
Round 2 13th Nov‘21
       
Match # Team V Team
9 Railway Union Mossley
10 North Down Lisnagarvey
11 Clontarf Pembroke
12 Glenanne Cookstown
13 Corinthian YMCA
14 Kilkeel Bangor
15 Banbridge Instonians
16 Monkstown Annadale
QF 22nd Jan ‘21
SF 13th Mar’21


Women’s Irish Junior Cup

Round 1   30th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Avoca Cork CofI
2 Corinthian Lisnagarvey
3 Monkstown Genesis
4 UCC Ashton
5 Ulster Elks Catholic Institute
6 UCD Old Alex
     
Round 2 13th Nov‘21
       
Match # Team V Team
7 Muckross Monkstown
8 Old Alex Ashton
9 DULHC Corinthian
10 Ulster Elks Railway
11 Pembroke Pegasus
12 Loreto Belfast Harlequins
13 Ballymoney Queens
14 Cork Harlequins Avoca
QF 22nd Jan ‘21
SF 13th Mar’21

Women’s Irish Hockey Challenge

Round 1   9th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Kilkeel Bangor
2 Galway 2 Athlone
3 Skerries NICS
4 Botanic NUIG 2
5 Blackrock Clonmel
6 Cork Wanderers Tipperary
7 Wicklow Limerick
     
Round 2 11th Dec‘21
Match # Team V Team
8 Athlone Weston
9 NICS Mullingar
10 Greenfields 2 Bangor
11 NUIG Portrane
12 Wexford Kilkenny
13 Clonakilty Gorey
14 Enniscorthy Cork Wanderers
15 Blackrock Wicklow
QF   22nd Jan ‘21
SF   26th Feb’21

Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge

Group 1       Group 2     Group 3
Galway Wicklow Antrim
Limerick Naas Armagh
Mullingar Waterford Portrush
Midleton Saintfield
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Junior Age Group managers sought

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ARE INVITED FOR:

  • U16 Boys Team Manager Position

  • U18 Girls Team Manager Position

  • U21 Mens Team manager Position

    (All voluntary positions)

 Hockey Ireland are looking for individuals with:
• Ambition and commitment to the development of young Irish Hockey internationals
• Experience working as part of a team
• An innovative mindset, who can maximise a limited budget
• A high performance ethos
• An ability to work on selected weekends and travel overseas when required

All applicants are required to provide the following:
• Evidence of completion of a Code of Ethics qualification (or willingness to complete one)
• 2 reference forms (to be sent on receipt of application by Hockey Ireland)
A self-declaration form (to be sent on receipt of application by Hockey Ireland)
• Garda or AccessNI Vetting (for successful candidates only)

What will you get in return?
• Involvement in high performance sport
Travel to international tournaments (inclusive of role)
• Satisfaction of creating future stars for Irish Hockey

To Apply
Application is by CV along with a covering letter outlining why you are applying for the role and what you feel you can add to the relevant programme. This should be emailed to Adam Grainger, Hockey Ireland Performance Director at adam.grainger@hockey.ie.

Applications close on Friday 17th September at 5pm with interviews expected to be the following week.

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