Ireland Senior Men’s Hockey Team set for Pro League Debut

23 player squad announced by Head Coach Mark Tumilty

 

Dublin, January 31: The FIH Pro League consists of the top 8 World Ranked Nations and another highly ranked nation usually the winners of a designated Nations Cup competition. Ireland will be heading to the FIH Pro League for the first time this Saturday and will play two series in India. Ireland will be up against World Ranked #1 Netherlands, #3 India, #6 Australia and #8 Spain. Ireland, who are WR #11 are the underdogs in this season’s Pro League

There is a parallel FIH Pro League competition taking place at the moment in Argentina currently which features the other 4 teams in the competition Belgium (World Ranked #2), Germany (#5), Great Britain (England are world ranked #4), and Argentina (#7). Ireland will get to play these teams in future rounds of the FIH Pro League which will take place in May in Belgium and June in London, UK.

So, for Ireland it will be a very busy few months in the run up to this summer’s Olympic Hockey Tournament in Paris. And Ireland’s first series will commence in Bhubaneswar on February 10 and run till February 16. The participating teams will then relocate to Rourkela, India and recommence the competition on February 19 and run till February 25.

 

Squad Announcement

Ireland Men’s Head Coach Mark Tumilty has named a 23 strong squad for both of these opening India based rounds of the FIH Pro League and it shows changes from the squad which qualified for the Olympic games last month in Valencia. There have been injury related withdrawals and some other players have withdrawn owing to work commitments.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Head Coach Mark Tumilty said:

“I always said the Pro League was where we needed to be due to the level of opposition we get to play against. We start against the Netherlands, Australia, Spain and then India.  A chance to play against India in front of their home crowd is definitely something to look forward to. It will be a good barometer of where we are in relation to the other nations. I expect there will be a few tough games out there.”

“I think we’ve learned most over the last 12 months or so playing against the tougher opposition. Some of those were tough defeats but you learn a lot more from those. We couldn’t have asked for better preparation for Paris. It will definitely be an experience to play against India in Bhubaneswar and then in the new stadium in Rourkela. Definitely something for the players to look forward to. I think it’s something we have to get used to. It’s something we want to do on a continuous basis is be at the top table of World Hockey and this is the start of it.”

“We are bringing 23 players on this trip, there’s a few people unavailable for various reasons injury and family commitments and so it’s an opportunity for all 23 guys to show what they can do and in relation to being available for Paris selection. For all the younger guys the experience that they will get over the next six months. with the group should stand to them as we go into the next cycle.”

We come back from Paris and go straight into Euro Qualifiers in Dublin, ten days after the Olympics finish at the end of August and try to qualify for the European A Division. I think that’s a key tournament for us. We need to be back at that top table of European Hockey. To get up to that A Division and then the focus turns again to the 2026 World Cup. We’ve been a bit unfortunate in that we need to go through a qualification to get back to the A Division. Normally if you won the B Division or came second you automatically gained promotion.”

On the FIH Pro League: “It’s 16 games against the top 8 nations in the World. If we could manage to stay in the League and get another 16 games at that level again next year, it’s an invaluable experience for all the players and also for the coaching staff. That’s the goal to stay in the Pro League. It’s a challenge given our position in the World rankings. What we’ve shown over the past 12 months is that we can compete. We will definitely need to produce our best performances when we are out there, to get anything out of this visit.”

 

 

Match Schedule:

The first game will take place on February 10, 2024 when Ireland take-on the Netherlands, World Ranked #1, and it will commence at 12 noon Irish time. India take on Spain in the second game of the day at 2 p.m. Irish time.

On the second day of the tournament Ireland will be idle as there are 5 teams in the sub group as Spain host Australia at 12 noon Irish time and India play Netherlands in the second game at 2 p.m.

Ireland return to action on February 13, playing Australia at 12 Noon Irish time.

Netherlands and Spain will play the second game of the day at 2 p.m.

On February 15 Ireland play Spain at 12 Noon Irish time. India play Australia in the second game of the day at 2 p.m.

And finally on February 16 the Netherlands take on Australia at 12 noon Irish time.

India play Ireland at 2 p.m. Irish time in the final game of the day.

 

This will be the last game of the Bhubaneswar series and the teams will complete this phase at Rourkela in India starting February 19 2024.

 

FIXTURES (BHUBANESWAR SERIES ALL START TIMES IRISH TIME)

 

FEBRUARY 10, 2024

IRELAND – NETHERLANDS  12 :00

INDIA -SPAIN 2:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

SPAIN -AUSTRALIA  12:00

INDIA – NETHERLANDS  2:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

AUSTRALIA  – IRELAND 12:00

NETHERLANDS – SPAIN  2:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

SPAIN  –  IRELAND 12:00

INDIA – AUSTRALIA 14:00

 

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

NETHERLANDS – AUSTRALIA 12:00

INDIA- IRELAND  2:00 P.M.

 

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Hockey Ireland Weekend Preview: Saturday Feb 3

EY Hockey League Division 2, Irish Junior Cup and Irish Senior Cup in Action

Dublin, January 31:The second round of fixtures in the EY Hockey League 2 takes place this coming Saturday with action across all four pools. Avoca take on Queen’s in the Men’s Pool A with Bandon travelling to play Pembroke Wanderers. Cork Harlequins take on Cookstown and Railway Union host South Antrim in Men’s Pool B.

 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024

EYHL 2 MEN’S POOL A

Avoca v Queens, 12:30, Avoca

Pembroke Wanderers v Bandon, 13:00 Serpentine Avenue

EYHL 2 MEN’S POOLB

Cork Harlequins v Cookstown, 12:45, Harlequin Park

Railway Union v South Antrim, 13:30, Park Avenue

 

In the EYHL 2 for Women Kilkenny host Belfast Harlequins and Avoca have to travel to take on Cork Harlequins. University of Galway host UCC and Muckross take on Lurgan in Pool B.

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN’S POOL A

Kilkenny v Belfast Harlequins, 14:00, Kilkenny

Cork Harlequins V Avoca, 14:45, Harlequin Park

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN’S POOLB

Muckross v Lurgan, 13:30, Muckross

University of Galway v UCC, 14:00, Dangon

 

There are nine ties in the Men’s Irish Junior Cup and they are as follows:-

 

IRISH MEN’S  JUNIOR CUP

Monkstown v Cork Harlequins, 14:20, Rathdown

UCD v North Down,13:00, Belfield Water

Annadale v Portrane,13:00, Campbell College

Glennane v Instonians, 13:00,St Andrews College

Corinthian v Bangor,13:15, St Columbas

Lisnagarvey v YMCA,14:30, Comber Road

Cookstown v Avoca,14:30, Cookstown

Kilkeel v Mossley,14:30, Kilkeel High School

Rathgar v Clontarf,14:30, Rathgar

Banbridge v BelfastHarlequins, 14:45, Havelock Park

 

There are ten ties down for decision in the Irish Women’s Junior Cup and they are as follows:-

 

IRISH WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP

Cork Church of Ireland v Cork Harlequins, 12:00, Garryduf

Monkstown v Old Alex, 12:00, Rathdown

Waterford v Catholic Institute, 12:00, Waterford

Three Rock Rovers v Bray, 15:00, Grange Road

Loreto v Corinthian, 13:00, Loreto High School Beaufort

Genesis v Ballymoney, 13:00, St Raphaelas School

Trinity Ladies v Lisnagarvey, 14:00 Dublin University

Belfast Harlequins v Athlone, 14:30, Deramore Park

Portadown v Pembroke Wanderers, 14:30, Portadown

Queens v Ashton, 14:30, Queens University

Mossley v Pegasus, 16:00, Mossley

 

There are two ties down for decision this Sunday in the Irish Men’s Senior Cup

Bandon take on Queen’s University and Cork Harlequins host Portane.

 

 

 

SUNDAY  FEBRUARY 4, 2024

 

IRISH MEN’S SENIOR CUP

Bandon v Queens, 12:00, Bandon Grammar

Cork Harlequins v Portrane, 12:30, Harlequin Park

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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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Hockey Ireland domestic fixtures weekend preview: Saturday January 27 & January 28

HOCKEY IRELAND WEEKEND PREVIEW 

Hockey Ireland domestic fixtures weekend preview: Saturday January 27 & January 28

 

EY Hockey League Division 2 returns this Saturday for Week 2. The weekend fixtures also feature a full round of games in the Irish Women’s Hockey Challenge, Irish Hockey Trophy and fixtures continue in the Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy. Round 1 of the Irish Women’s Senior Cup and two games in the Irish Men’s Senior Cup all down for decision this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Saturday 27th January

 

EYHL 2

Men

Queens v Pembroke, 14:30, Queens University

Bandon v Bangor, 14:15, Bandon Grammar

South Antrim v Cork Harlequins, 14:30, Lisburn

Cookstown v Cork Church of Ireland, 13:00, Cookstown

Women

Avoca v Greenfields, 14:30, Avoca

Belfast Harlequins v Cork Harlequins, 12:45, Deramore Park

Lurgan v Ards, 14:30, Lugan JHS

UCC v Muckross, 14:00, The Mardkye

 

Irish Hockey Challenge

Women

Belvedere v Cork Wanderers, 13:15, Belvedere

Tipperary v Kinvara, 12:30, Tipperary

Waterford v Botanic, 12:15, Waterford

Athlone v University of Galway, 12:00, Athlone

Genesis v Cookstown, 12:00, St Raphaelas School

 

Men

Kilkenny v Clontarf, 15:30, Kilkenny

Bray v Rathgar, 15:00, Bray

Mossley v Belfast Harlequins, 14:30, Mossley

Ashton v North Down, 14:30, Ashton

Portadown v Kilkeel, 13:00, Portadown

 

Irish Hockey Trophy

Women

YMCA v Our Lady’s, 15:30, Wesley College

Glenanne v Armagh, 15:00, St Andrews College

Lisnagarvey v Cork Church of Ireland, 14:00, Comber Road

Ballymena v Blackrock, 13:00, Ballymena

Dungannon v University of Galway, 13:00, Dungannon

Newry Olmypic v Portrane, 13:00, Newry Olmypic

Mossley v Coleraine, 14:45, Mossley

 

Irish Senior Cup

Women

Banbridge v Queens, 14:45, Havelock Park

Ballymoney v Portadown, 14:30, Joey Dunlop Centre

Trinity Ladies v Corinthian, 14:00, Dublin University

 

Men

Railway Union v Avoca, 13:30, Park Avenue

 

 

Sunday 28th January

Irish Men’s Senior Cup

Pembroke 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@hockey.ie

 

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Ireland Men Qualify For Paris 2024 Olympics Following Korea Win

IRELAND  4:3   KOREA

Ireland became the 12th and final team to qualify for the Men’s Olympic Hockey tournament next summer in Paris by virtue of their 4-3 win over  Korea .Earlier in the afternoon Irish time New Zealand had beaten Pakistan in Oman to become the 11th team to make it and the winner of this game was thus going to be the  12th and last team to make the games.

This amounted to a win or bust match for the Irish Men’s senior hockey team. Anything other than outright victory would mean no Irish team in the Olympic Hockey tournament this summer in Paris. With the women having been beaten yesterday by Great Britain this was the last chance saloon for Irish hockey at this year’s Olympic Summer games in Paris. Ireland were trying to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since Rio in 2016 and only the third time in history. Korea were trying to qualify for the first time since 2012 when they qualified at Ireland’s expense in Dublin. Ireland dominated the opening quarter and forced numerous penalty corners. The last of these in the first quarter was finished to the net by Matthew Nelson in the 14th minute. Ireland 1 Korea 0. Korea almost equalized straight from the start of quarter two but were denied by Harte. Ireland  their lead in the 18th minute Sean Murray gathered possession and ran inside the D. He slipped the ball to McKee who fed the ball to Johnson who smashed the ball to the roof of the net. IRELAND 2 KOREA 0 .

Korea were awarded a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Harte saved the first effort a second one rebounded off the post and Kim Junghoo opened Korea’s account in the 23rd minute. IRELAND 2 KOREA1. Ireland responded almost immediately . Sean Murray the captain cut inside the D and slipped a pass which John McKee first timed to the net to make it IRELAND 3 KOREA 1 in the 24th minute. Korea got the score back to 3-2 from a penalty corner in the closing seconds converted by Jeong Junwoo. HALF TIMESCORE IRELAND 3 KOREA 2.

After a few good saves by Korean keeper Kim Jaehyeon, Ireland were awarded a penalty corner. Shane O’Donoghue converted the penalty corner to make it IRELAND 4 KOREA 2 in the 38th minute. Korea reduced the deficit to one a minute later when Harte was penalised and J ANG Jonghyin stuck home the penalty stroke. IRELAND 4 KOREA 3. Korea looked to have scored shortly before the end of the quarter. Luke Madeley’s attempted clearance deflected off the back of Korea’s LEE Nam Yung, David Harte’s chest and trickled over the line. The umpire referred it to the video umpire. The decision was a penalty corner for Korea. From the resultant penalty corner Jonathan Lynch cleared the ball off the goal line. Lee Nam Yung was yellow carded for 10 minutes for an incident at the end of third quarter.

Ireland had to withstand a period of sustained pressure once Lee returned to the field. Korea withdrew their goalkeeper in favour of an extra outfield player. But Ireland remained disciplined and defended well. The final whistle went. Ireland are back at the Olympic games beating Korea was all the sweeter given the events of 2012. It ended Ireland 4 Korea 3. The Irish men will be at the Hockey tournament of the Paris Olympics in 2024.

After the game we spoke with Mark Tumelty

“We’ve done it. I had a lot of belief in this group. I did think though it might comedown to this final game  before the tournament. The guys have delivered and we are on our way to the games. Very pleased for the players, we had to rebuild the squad after Vancouver and this a reward for all the work they put in and all the sacrifices they have made to get there.”

“We have a very busy period, between now and the summer , in the run up to the games”.

“We have the FIH Pro League, a trip to India and the games themselves in Paris. The Pro League will be 16 games against the top 8nations  in the world and that in itself will be excellent preparation for the Olympic tournament in July- August.”

IRELAND:  David Harte, Luke Madeley, Shane O’Donoghue, Tim Cross, Lee Cole; Daragh Walsh, Nicholas Page, Sean Murray (C), John McKee, Jeremy Duncan, Michael Robson  SUBS USED: Matthew Nelson,  Kyle Marshall, Peter Mckibbin, Jonathan  Lynch, Sam Hyland, Ben Johnson

KOREA : KIM  Jaehyeon (GK), KIM Hyeonhong;J UNG Manjae,  HWANG  Taeil, LEE Jungjun,  JI Woocheon, KIM  Sunghyun,  LEE  Seunghoon, KIM Hyeongjin, JANG  Jonghyun, YANG Jihun,  SUBS USED:  JEONG Junwoo, PARKChedeon, SEO  Inwoo,  KIM Junghoo,  SON  Dain, LEE  NamYong, KIM Jaehan

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