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Hockey Ireland Senior Men accept invitation to join the FIH Pro League

Hockey Ireland is pleased to accept an invitation from the International Hockey Federation, FIH, for the Ireland Men’s Senior Squad to join the FIH Hockey Men’s Pro League next season.
Ireland finished runners-up to South Africa in the inaugural FIH Nations Cup tournament last November, losing a thrilling final 4-3.

It meant South Africa gained promotion to the Pro League for 2023-2024 replacing the nation that will finish bottom at the end of the current season.
However South Africa have decided not to take up their place and as runners-up in the Nations Cup, Ireland have been invited by the FIH to replace them and have chosen to do so. The 2023-2024 Pro League season will likely get underway in October and Ireland can expect games against the recently crowned World Champions Germany and Olympic gold medal winners Belgium as well as other hockey powerhouses such as Australia and India and closer to home Great Britain.

Before that Ireland will host Division 2 of the EuroHockey Championships in July at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, looking to claim a place in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for Paris 2024.

Commenting on the announcement, Hockey Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said: “This announcement comes at a very exciting time for Irish Hockey, as we look to grow participation in the game and compete at the highest level on the international stage. The fact that our Senior Men are now competing in World Hockey’s Pro League against eight top Hockey teams from around the world is a testament to all the hard work to date and is aligned with our High-Performance strategy and objectives”.

“As we continue our Olympic qualification campaign, we have a very busy year ahead with the EuroHockey Championships in Abbotstown in July offering a perfect opportunity for Irish Hockey fans to come along and watch the team in full international action.”

Mark Tumilty, Ireland Men’s Head Coach can’t wait to get started in the Pro League. “We are delighted this has come about. It’s a big opportunity for us and for men’s hockey in Ireland. It’s a massive challenge for us but I’ve said many times before that for Ireland to move forward in world hockey we need to be playing competitive games against the top nations. To have the chance now to play sixteen games against the top countries in the world will give our programme added purpose and focus.”

Hockey’s world governing body the FIH also commented: “Whilst we will miss South Africa in the next season, we know that the South African Hockey Association firmly intends to join the FIH Hockey Pro League as soon as possible. Therefore, this is just a matter of time. Meanwhile, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Irish men’s team and we can’t wait to see them perform in the League next season!”

POTCHEFSTROOM – FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup South Africa 2022
WORLDSPORTPICS COPYRIGHT FRANK UIJLENBROEK

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Park Developments extend Hockey Ireland agreement as Ireland Senior Women’s squad prepares to travel to South America

DUBLIN 30 Jan 2023: Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce a four-year extension to its current agreement with Park Developments, one of Ireland’s leading Property Development Groups, for continued investment in Irish Women’s Hockey.

It comes as the Ireland Senior Women’s squad prepares to travel to South America for a series of games against Argentina and Chile.

Park Developments’ initial agreement was signed in 2019 for four years and this continued investment in the success and development of the women’s squad comes as they begin the road to the Paris Olympics.

The financial investment will also be used to fund the Hockey Ireland Hockey4All inclusion programme and the Hockey4All National Representative Team.

The programme aims to offer young people with disabilities an opportunity to become part of the local hockey community, to keep healthy (socially, mentally and physically) and have fun in a team sport.

Commenting on the agreement Park Developments Director Jilly Cotter said,

“We are delighted to renew our support for the Irish Women’s Hockey team and to reinforce our commitment to this incredible group of Hockey players until 2027. Our investment is focused on direct athlete support by way of bursaries to assist them in their daily lives and to support them to perform at the highest level on the global stage. We are also delighted to expand our support to include the “Hockey4All” Program as a key area for development within the Hockey family, by supporting young people with disabilities and giving them an opportunity to play and enjoy the game.”

Ireland Women’s Head Coach Sean Dancer has included uncapped Loreto defender Caitlin Sherin in a squad of nineteen to travel to Argentina and Chile.

Katie McKee from Pegasus returns to the panel after missing out on the Nations Cup in Valencia before Christmas.

Tokyo Olympians Ayeisha McFerran, Deirdre Duke and Sarah Torrans are unavailable.

“This extension underlines the very supportive and engaged partnership we have shared with Park Developments since 2019 and it complements the unprecedented successes of our Senior Women’s International Team, with their first ever Olympic qualification in 2020 and history making World Cup silver medal in 2018” said Hockey Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy.

“The addition of support for our Hockey4All programme comes at an important time also, as we look to expand our inclusion initiative by moving into more Clubs and forming more teams. We very much look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Park Developments as new and exciting times for Hockey Ireland lie ahead.”

Squad List:
1 Elizabeth MURPHY
2 Holly MICKLEM
3 Róisín UPTON (VC)
4 Elena TICE
5 Caitlin SHERIN
6 Sarah McAULEY
7 Ellen CURRAN
8 Hannah McLOUGHLIN
9 Caoimhe PERDUE
10 Kathryn MULLAN (C)
11 Sarah HAWKSHAW
12 Michelle CAREY
13 Charlotte BEGGS
14 Christina HAMILL
15 Katie McKEE
16 Niamh CAREY
17 Naomi CARROLL
18 Zara MALSEED
19 Siofra O’BRIEN

Glencairn Gate, Leopardstown, Co Dublin 30/1/2023
Park Developments announces a four-year extension to its current agreement with Hockey Ireland until 2027, a significant boost to the continued investment in Irish Women’s Hockey since 2018 and in the buildup to Paris 2024 and beyond
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

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Irish Hockey Internationals awarded Trinity Sport Scholars Awards.

Three Irish Hockey athletes among those at Trinity Sports Awards. Well done to all.

Trinity College Dublin Sport Scholars:

Katie Mullan – Hockey

Laura Noble – Hockey

Sam Hickmott – Hockey

 

Trinity Sport unveiled its sport scholars for the 2022 / 23 season on Monday, 21st November at an event for family and friends at the Dining Hall, Trinity College Dublin. This year’s awardees, comprising of 27 Trinity Sports scholars and 33 club academy scholars will represent Trinity this season in a wide variety of sports including rugby, basketball, GAA, rowing and cricket.

Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh presented the awards on the night and Trinity student-athletes Joe McCarthy (International Rugby player), Rebecca Stokell (International Cricket player) and Katie Mullan (International hockey player) took part in a ‘dual career: combining sports and studies’ panel discussion on the night.

Sadhbh Doyle, Gavin Hoey and Harry Sheridan were recognised as Trevor West Sport Scholarship athletes for their contribution to their respective sports at Trinity and outstanding performances. Giulia Anderlini and Niamh Kenny were recognised as K.O Lee Basketball sport scholarship athletes. This is award is in association with Trinity Meteors, this scholarship is in memory of K.O. Lee, Trinity alumnus and coach of the Meteors Ladies Basketball team in the 1970s.

Linda Doyle, Provost, Trinity College Dublin commented on the night, “I would like to congratulate all our student-athletes who are receiving scholarships. It is impressive to see how they balance their commitment to sports with their commitment to their studies. This takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The scholarships will enable our student-athletes to continue to pursue their passion for sport while also benefiting from the excellent educational opportunities at Trinity. I am delighted to celebrate the students’ achievements and award these scholarships in recognition of such exceptional sporting ability.”

Michelle Tanner, Director of Sport and Physical Activity, Trinity College Dublin commented on the night, “We’re delighted to be celebrating the strongest calibre of student-athletes that we’ve had for many years, certainly in the history of the Trinity Sport Scholarship awards programme. It is quite outstanding the number and level of student-athletes that we have in Trinity including international, senior county and academy pathway athletes. We’re very excited about their prospects and potential over the coming months and years.”

Prof. Catherine McCabe, Dean of Students, Trinity College Dublin commented, “To our student-athletes, congratulations on receiving a place on this year’s Trinity Sports Scholarship Programme. This scholarship recognises your achievements so far, and importantly, your potential to go even further. All of you here today come from a wide range of sports, including athletics, basketball, GAA, rowing, cricket, and rugby. It is our commitment to ensure all our student-athletes get the full support and backing of the University to compete regionally, nationally and at international levels while also being able to excel in your academic course.”

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Sports Energy Support Scheme

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

The purpose of the funding, which was secured as part of Budget 2023, is to support National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and their affiliated Clubs with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport throughout the winter period.

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

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

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

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

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

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Irish-based coaches selected for the EHF’s elite coaching program

Coaches 4 Europe (C4E) is a global coaching initiative. It is intended to inspire coaches to consider coaching philosophy via individual technical, individual tactical, and team tactics.

It is intended for coaches who have already advanced in their development and have the potential to become high-performing coaches in their chosen environment.

The following Irish-based coaches were selected:

Jack Kyle (Ireland)
Kay Gaffney (Ireland)
Leanne King (Ireland)

The EHF Top Coaches Programme (TCP) is a global coaching development programme. It is intended to get instructors thinking about elite coaching concepts.

The curriculum will aid in growing their goal to provide world-class performances, in addition to practical implementations ranging from on-field strategies to the philosophy of leading top teams.

The following Irish-based coaches were selected:

Eimear Cregan (Ireland)

Jason Klinkradt (Ireland)

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EY Hockey League Round 7 Preview

Round 7 of the EY Hockey League this weekend.

This weekend a doubleheader will be live-streamed on our Youtube channel. Watch Pembroke M1 take on Glenanne and Pembroke L1 take on Monkstown. Hockey Ireland YouTube

Fixtures
Saturday 11th November

MEN
Three Rock Rovers v Monkstown – 1:00 pm at Grange Road 

Pembroke Wanderers v Glenanne – 2:00 pm at Serpentine Avenue 

Annadale v Cookstown – 2:30 pm at Lagan College 

Lisnagarvey v YMCA – 3:00 pm at Lisnagarvey HC 

Banbridge v Instonians – 6:00 pm at Havelock Park 

WOMEN

Catholic Institute v Ards 1:00 pm at Rosbrien 

Loreto v UCD 1:15 pm at Loreto Beaufort 

Railway Union v Old Alex 1:30 pm at Park Avenue 

Belfast Harlequins v Pegasus 2:30 pm at Deramore Park 

Pembroke Wanderers v Monkstown 4:00 pm at Serpentine Avenue 

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EuroHockey Club of the Year 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

Each winner will receive:

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

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

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

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

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EY Ireland extends sponsorship of Hockey League

Dublin, 13 September 2022: EY Ireland has announced it will continue as official sponsor the Irish Hockey League, Irelands highest performing hockey competition on the island of Ireland for a further three years.

The EY Irish Hockey League (EYHL) with ten men and ten women’s teams from around the Island of Ireland coming together to compete. Matches are scheduled to take to the pitch for the first round of the Men’s and Women’s EYHL this weekend on Saturday 17th of September, while the EYHL 2 returns to action on the 12th of November.

Covering all four provinces, the all-island EYHL will see twenty of Ireland’s top male and female clubs battle it out to become league champions over 20 weeks of exciting, fast-paced hockey.
The top six in each competition advance to the EY Champions Trophy where the ultimate champion for the season is determined at an end of season festival, showcasing the men’s and women’s grand finals on an equal basis.
The sponsorship also supports the EY Hockey League Division 2 (EYHL2), which will also feature 10 men’s teams and ten women’s teams, the top two of which will win promotions to the EYHL for the following season via an end of season playoff series.
The EYHL and EYHL2 showcase some of Ireland’s top players and has provided a vital stage for club players on their road to the international arena and, notably, the World Cup and Olympic Games.
EY Ireland has been the primary sponsor of the Irish Hockey League since 2016 with the formation of the EY Hockey League and its subsequent expansion to feature a second tier in 2019 The competition has since become universally known as the EYHL, a measure of the intrinsic link between sponsor and competition and provides an elite hockey competition on an equal basis to male and female players.

Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner for EY Ireland: “We are proud to announce EY Ireland’s continued sponsorship of the Irish Hockey League for a further three years. Hockey embodies strong team building and a great commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equality, values that are integral to EY. This partnership highlights our commitment to building the highest performing diverse teams and to celebrating the amazing men and women who participate in this incredible sport at a national level. We look forward to the continued success of all of the teams in the league over the coming three years as we have proudly done since 2016.”

 

Ronan Murphy, CEO of Hockey League Ireland: “We are delighted to have the continued support of EY Ireland for another three years. The support over the past seven years has been game-changing for clubs in Ireland, enabling them to hone their skills and match their ambition at an elevated level of competition. EY Ireland’s sponsorship is invaluable to raising the game, assisting with the organisation and promotion of the EY Hockey League, its high quality of matches, and ensuring clubs across the island are able to compete at the highest levels. It is no coincidence that our international teams have enjoyed an almost unprecedented run of success in the last decade, with Olympic and World Cup qualification for both genders. We are really looking forward to some top-class matches taking place over the coming season as we embark upon what promises to be a highly competitive 2022/23 season.”

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Ireland defeat Turkey but miss out on top tier qualification

EuroHockey Championship qualifiers

Ireland 9 (B Walker 3, J McKee 2, S Murray 2, M Robson, L Madeley) Turkey 0

Ireland closed out their EuroHockey Championship qualifier with a comprehensive 9-0 win over Turkey but ultimately finished runners-up to tournament hosts France in Calais.
It means they will contest the second tier of the European Championships next summer which, on the current basis, could offer one place in the Olympic qualifier events for Paris 2024.

 

The first half against the Turks was a slightly sleepy affair befitting the 10am Saturday morning start. Sean Murray smacked in a fourth minute effort from Walker’s pass but, otherwise, they found Turkey’s deep-lying defence tricky to unpick.

 

That changed in the second half with eight more goals coming in the last 25 minutes. McKee got the credit for the second when he intercepted 40-metres from goal with his eventual cross turned in by a diving defender.

 

Walker deflected in a powerful hit from Neal Glassey; McKee finished off his 15th goal in 14 matches and Murray clipped in a tidy shot for 5-0 at the three quarter break.

 

Michael Robson’s penalty stroke, another smart finish from Walker and a Luke Madeley drag-flick made it eight. Walker completed the scoring with the pick of the goals in the dying seconds, a head-high volley from Daragh Walsh’s bouncing aerial ball into the circle.

 

And while coach Mark Tumilty was pleased with how his side finished, netting eight second half goals, the 4-1 loss to France was the defining memory.

 

“We were a bit slow to start which was expected after the disappointment of Thursday,” said Tumilty after the tie. “We played some good hockey in Q3 and Q4, scored some nice goals which is pleasing.

 

“But against France, we weren’t good enough. We can’t give a team of France’s standard a two-goal lead and expect to win the game. We can’t make the individual and collective errors and we didn’t create enough chances. You have to be clinical in a game of few chances.”

 

Next on the agenda is the FIH Nations Cup in South Africa which gets under way on November 28th. As such, the Irish men will be back together in two weeks time and have fixtures against England in October in the pipeline.

 

After that, they await the breakdown of continental places for the Olympic qualifiers which will be confirmed in late January

 

Ireland: M Ingram, L Madeley, J McKee, D Walsh, N Glassey, K Marshall, S Murray, M McNellis, J Duncan, B Walker, N Page

Subs: L Witherow, C Robson, K O’Dea, M Robson, J Lynch, S Hyland, J Carr

 

Turkey: M Teke, I Bakar, S Polat, R Kayar, F Atas, M Elagoz, H Tasar, E Durmus, O Karakus, M Ekinci, H Erdogan

Subs: Y Yilmaz, H Ozturk, C Aydin, B Erman, M Demirel, F Ozkurc, F Bursalioglu

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Irish men record biggest ever international victory

Men’s EuroHockey Championship qualifiers
Ireland 19 (L Madeley 4. J Duncan 3, J McKee 3, B Walker 3, M Robson 3, S Murray, D Walsh, L Witherow) Lithuania 0
Ireland’s men recorded their largest ever win as they swept aside Lithuania on day one of the EuroHockey Championship qualifiers in Calais.

Four goals from Luke Madeley along with hat tricks for Michael Robson, Jeremy Duncan, Jonny McKee and Ben Walker helped outdo the previous best of 13-0 against Malta in 2002 and Fiji in 2013.

They took the lead with barely 15 seconds on the clock with Madeley scoring from their first penalty corner chance.

Three further goals followed in a 39-second spell before the end of the first quarter for a 4-0 advantage. Duncan flicked home to start that run; skipper Sean Murray cracked home first time from a McKee assist and then McKee finished off a gorgeous interchange.

The second quarter proved harder to break through with just a Walker reverse-stick effort adding to the tally – 5-0 at half-time.

The record came into view in the third quarter with seven arriving in that 15-minute stanza as Lithuania were reduced to the role of spectators as they barely laid a stick on Ireland. Walker got his second while Duncan polished off a hat trick with a pair of goals within 45 seconds of each other.

Madeley’s second corner goal, a solo peach from Daragh Walsh and set piece efforts from Robson and McKee made it 12-0 with a full quarter remaining.

Madeley duly equalled the record with his third of the game and put Ireland over the total with eight minutes to go. Two more from Robson, one more each for McKee and Walker and a first international goal for Luke Witherow completed the 19.

It gave Ireland a winning start to the four-team competition from which the top side will qualify for next summer’s European Championships.

“I don’t think that scoreline is good for the game but we have to take into consideration in this tournament, there could be a lot of value on goal difference on Saturday morning,” Tumilty said afterwards.

“I am pleased we were clinical, executed some corners but apart from that, there is probably not a lot of value in it.”

Next up will be a completely different contest against the highest ranked side, France (11th in the world), with the winner likely to take control of the group.

“It is the one we spoke about since we came together in May and it is time for this group to produce a performance,” Tumilty said of that showdown.

“We have prepped well and the team know what is expected of them. We know there is a performance in there; corners will be a key area but we definitely have a good chance.”

Ireland: J Carr, L Madeley, J McKee, D Walsh, C Robson, K Marshall, S Murray, M McNellis, J Duncan, S Hyland, N Page
Subs: L Witherow, K O’Dea, N Glassey, M Robson, B Walker, J Lynch, M Ingram

Lithuania: N Andrasiunas, A Cesnulis, P Lakstauskas, A Burkot, M Pocevicius, R Stankevic, A Ridlauskas, A Jackevicius, J Bandziulis, E Ustinovicius
Subs: M Grubliauskas, P Sinkevicius, T Pabjianskas, I Balbatunovas

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