Hockey Ireland was proud to honour two outstanding contributors to the sport at this year’s annual Honorary Life Members Lunch, held at the Talbot Hotel. The event celebrated the induction of Alison (Ali) Keogh and Trevor Watkins as the newest Honorary Life Members, recognising their remarkable achievements and lifelong commitment to hockey.
The special ceremony was attended by Board Director Laura Fitzgerald and Hockey Ireland Vice President Aisling Keogh, who joined in welcoming Alison and Trevor to this distinguished group.
Alison (Ali) Keogh
Ali Keogh has made an extraordinary impact on Irish hockey both on and off the pitch. Beginning her playing career at Loreto Beaufort and later Three Rock Rovers, Ali quickly established herself as a leader within the club before transitioning to umpiring at the age of 19.
Since earning her FIH international badge in 2013, Ali has officiated at the highest levels of the game, including the Junior World Cup, Euro Hockey League Finals, Champions Trophy, and the World League Finals. She became the first woman to umpire a men’s Senior Cup Final and has officiated multiple Irish Senior Cup and EYHL Finals. Most recently, she was appointed as an umpire for both men’s and women’s hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Beyond her own achievements, Ali has been a driving force in developing the next generation of umpires, mentoring and supporting new officials to ensure the future of the game remains strong.
Trevor Watkins
Trevor Watkins’ lifelong dedication to hockey spans playing, coaching, leadership, and governance. As a former international player in both indoor and outdoor formats, Trevor went on to achieve the Hockey Ireland Level 5 coaching qualification, one of the highest coaching accreditations available.
He has coached leading clubs including Muckross, Avoca, and UCD, as well as Senior Interprovincial teams, the national indoor side, and the Irish women’s Under-22 team. Trevor has also been instrumental in youth hockey development in Leinster, nurturing countless young players through the elite player pathway.
In addition to his coaching expertise, Trevor has held senior leadership roles within the sport, including Chair of Leinster Hockey, President of Monkstown Hockey Club, and Chair of Hockey Ireland. His professional background in governance and compliance has further strengthened his contributions to the administration and growth of Irish hockey.
