Dublin, September 26: With less than 48 hours until Ireland’s top 10 women’s club teams embark on their EY Hockey League campaigns on Saturday, we delve into how each side could fair for the season ahead. With plenty of player movements from club to club, new coaching and managerial appointments and rivalries set to reignite, the 2024/25 season promises to pack more thrills, spills and draw dropping action.
Meet the Teams
Loreto Hockey Club
Homeground: Loreto High School, Dublin.
Coaching Staff: Paul Fitzpatrick, Ian Clarke, Anne-Marie Curran
Players In: Emily Kealy (Monkstown)
Players Out: Hannah McLoughlin (Gantoise, Belgium), Sarah Torrans (Waterloo Ducks, Belgium), Aisling Murray (Travel), Hannah Matthews (Retired).
An unbeaten season in league action last year saw Loreto claim the EY Hockey League trophy by a 7pt cushion. 2024/25 will certainly be an interesting year for the South Dublin side who will have to adjust to life without Hannah McLoughlin and Sarah Torrans, with the Irish internationals moving to Belgium on professional contracts. Former Irish international and club legend Hannah Matthews has also announced her retirement meaning the team will have to find players to fill these positions both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
However, the side have added Monkstown’s Emily Kealy to their ranks while also retaining the services of key figures such as Goalkeeper Lizzy Murphy, Síofra O’Brien, Christina Hamill and Caoimhe Purdue, and will continue to be led by experienced coach Paul Fitzpatrick.
Railway Union
Homeground: Park Avenue
Coaching Staff: Una McCarthy, Gareth Myburgh, Margaret Shaw
Players In: Niamh Gowing (Genesis HC)
Players Out: Niamh Carey (Braxgata HC), Michelle Carey (Braxgata HC), Katie Fearon (Travel), Aeobhfinn Burke (Travel), Clodagh Ferry (Travel), Kate Dillon (Retired), Holly Jenkinson (Focusing on Masters).
Young Player(s) to Watch: Matilde Errico
Railway Union had to settle for silver in last season’s EY Hockey League but mounted impressive displays to secure the AIG Irish Senior Cup and EY Champions Trophy. The loss of the Carey twins to Belgium, several others to travel and the exits of ex-Internationals Kate Dillon and Holly Jenkinson will undoubtably be on the mind of head coach Una McCarthy.
However, Railway will undoubtably be in title contention yet again this year given the strength in depth they possess with names such as Sarah Hawkshaw, Roisin Upton, Katie Mullan, and Captain Emma Smyth leading the lines.
Catholic Institute
Homeground: Catholic Institute Athletic Club, Rosbrien.
Coaching Staff: Emear Cregan, Ger O’Carroll, Kym Daly, Brenda Moloney
Players In: Tabby Billingham (England), Anna Rose Benson (Limerick HC).
Players Out: Leah Clery (Old Alex), Tory Byrne (College), Faye Luby (UCC), Ali Clein (Ashton).
Young Player(s) to Watch: Sarah Fitzgerald, Aoibheann Collins
Catholic Institute undoubtably have a big season ahead as they aspire to bridge the gap that existed between them and the top two last season. A respectable 28pts saw the Limerick side secure third place last season, with a place in the EY Champions Trophy Play-offs the target again next year. Naomi Carrol will be keen to put in another big performance this year having topped the scoring charts in 2023/24.
Pembroke Wanderers
Homeground: Serpentine Avenue
Coaching Staff: Gavin Groves, Stephen Brownlow, Sinead Guilfoyle
Players In: Katherine Egan (UCD), Charlotte Cope (UCD), Sophie Thomas (Returns), Erica Markey (Returns), Christine Powell (Corinthian), Abi O’Mahony (UCC), Anna Richardson (Avoca).
Players Out: Ellen Curran (Waterloo Ducks), Sinead Loughran (Return in January), Roisin Sexton (Return in January), Emily Beatty.
Young Player(s) to Watch: Milla Fulton, Isobel Field
Having endured a challenging season with squad turnover in 2023/24, Pembroke Wanderers put in a solid, steady year securing a fourth-place finish. Now in their 7th year, Head Coach Gavin Groves and Assistant Stephen Brownlow have significantly strengthened their side with 7 incoming players. Of particular note is former UCD pairing Katherine Egan and Charlotte Cope, who were crucial players in a strong UCD side over the last number of years.
Irish Internationals Ellen Curran and Emily Beatty are the significant outgoings, with the former joining Sarah Torrans in Waterloo Ducks. Milla Fulton and Isobel Field will be looking to continue their steps forward as they solidify themselves as crucial figures for the Dublin club.
UCD
Homeground: Belfield Water
Coaching Staff: Ross Willis, Brinsley Powell, Isobel Joyce, Marty Burke
Players In: Amy Handcock (Leinster South & Kilkenny), Ava Maleady (Corinthians), Millie Jermann (Monkstown), Olivia Brady (Abroad/Monkstown), Lucy Crowe (Returning), Aliya Davis (Monkstown), Orla Young-Hughes (Monkstown)
Players Out: Sarah McAuley (HDM, The Netherlands), Katherine Egan (Pembroke), Caoimhe Byrne (London), KJ Marshall (Spain).
Young Player(s) to Watch: Amy Handcock, Millie Jermann.
UCD’s fifth place finish last year was enough to secure a place in the EY Champions Trophy play-offs, but the semi-finals was where their journey ended. The side go into 2024/25 with new coach Ross Willis at the helm, having joined from relegated side Corinthian.
With him comes a handful of young players to build out the squad with many having enjoyed successful summers with Provincial and Ireland International Panels. The side have their sights set on a top 6 finish, while also integrating this new crop of players into the setup.
Old Alex
Homeground: Alexandra College
Coaching Staff: Richard Couse, Grant Glutz, Anya Bowers, Meabh O’Sullivan.
Players In: Millie O’Donnel (Returning), Sarah Robinson (Returning), Eva Doyle (TRR), Lucy Fox (YMCA), Sharon Seaton (Corinthian), Jess McGrane (Corinthian), Leah Cleary (Catholic Institute), Grace McKeana (Muckross), Lucy McGoldrick (Avoca)
Players Out: Deirdre Duke
Young Player(s) to Watch: Bella Dunlop, Robyn Heatherington, Linday Power, Sarah Byrne, Lucy McGoldrick, Eva Doyle, Lucy Fox.
Ireland’s oldest hockey club embark on an exciting year led by new head coach Richard Couse. The side boast an impressive lineup of young talent, including Bella Dunlop, Robyn Heatherington and Lindsay Power to name but a few.
Old Alex have a top 6 finish as their primary objective, with strong cup runs a must as they look to bring the squad together and re-enter the league contender’s conversation.
Ulster University Elks
Homeground: Ulster University, Jordanstown
Coaching Staff: Joel Cathcart, Dan McKimm, Arlene Boyles, Shirelle Wilson.
Players In: Zahra Lowry (Returning), Ellie Stewart (Returning), Evie Duncan (Rainey HC), Anna Mollenhauer (Canada), Audrey Sawers (Canada)
Players Out: Beth Harper (Portadown HC), Serena Campuzano (Portadown HC), Charlotte Beggs (Wellington HC, Belgium), Katie McKee (Pegasus), Erin Getty (Ards HC).
Ulster Elks put in a very respectable first season in the EY Hockey League, narrowly missing a play-off berth on goal difference to Old Alex. Despite highly regarded players such as Beth Harper, Charlotte Beggs, Katie McKee and Erin Getty on the transfers out list the side have recruited well with Canadian Internationals Anna Mollenhaur and Audrey Sawers joining the Belfast side, among other new and returning faces.
The team also boast plenty of young talent with Gabrielle Scott and Alex Byrne still involved following summers with the National setup.
Pegasus Hockey Club
Homeground: Queens University
Coaching Staff: Phil Rankin, Lesley Pim
Players In: Katie McKee (Ulster Elks), Rosie Henderson (Return), Olivia Berry (Return)
Players Out: Shirley McCay (Travel), Zara Malseed (Ards HC).
Young Player(s) to Watch: Anna Pim, Erin Pim, Joni Cunningham.
A slow start to the 2023/24 season put Pegaus in a perilous position in the latter stages of the season, with relegation still a possibility in the final rounds. Fortunately, the side showed resilience in their final games to grab the necessary results to maintain their EYHL status.
It is anyone’s guess what lies ahead this season for Pegasus; veteran Shirley McCay will be unavailable, and Zara Malseed has opted to return to her home club of Ards HC. However, the return of Katie McKee, Rosie Henderson, and Olivia Berry, along with the continued development of young players Anna Pim, Erin Pim and Joni Cunningham will breathe confidence into the Belfast side.
Ards HC
Homeground: Londonderry Park
Coaching Staff: Hugh Hamilton, Tamara McLeod, Margaret McCormack
Players In: Zara Malseed (Pegasus), Erin Getty (Ulster Elks), Pippa Best (Armagh HC), Phoebe Russel (Hawthorn HC, Australia), Faye Tice (Spencer HC, England)
Players Out: Louise Murray (Travel), Paige Ravey (Travel).
Young Player(s) to Watch: Alyssa Boyd, Maddie Leathem.
Having been relegated in the 2022/23 season, Ards return to Ireland’s topflight after just one year. The Newtownards outfit were crowned EY Division 2 champions, having come second in their pool, and beating Avoca, Cork Harlequins and UCC on their way to lifting the trophy.
Zara Malseed, Erin Getty and Faye Tice all return to their home clubs, with New Zealand native Pippa Best and Australian Phoebe Russel also joining their ranks. Resolidifying their places as a topflight side is the goal for the season ahead, with a play-off place the possible icing on the cake.
UCC
Homeground: The Mardyke, UCC
Coaching Staff: Darren Collins, Rachael Kohler, Caroline Collins, Trish Murphy.
Players In: Aine Power (Cork Harlequins)
Players Out: Abi O’Mahony (Pembroke)
Young Players to Watch: Lauren Cripps, Robyn Murphy, Julia McCarthy, Jenny McLaughlin, Jane Murphy, Sarah McCarthy, Emma O’Sullivan
Cork side UCC had a flying campaign in the EYHL Division 2, storming their way to promotion without suffering a single defeat, but had to watch Ards lift the league title following a loss in the final. The side will closely resemble that that achieved promotion with Aby O’Mahony the only reported outgoing, and Aine Power joining the side.
The team are not short of talent, boasting an impressive lineup of Irish U21 and U18 internationals along with Munster Provincial talent as well. However, the young side will need to show plenty of maturity throughout the season if they are to remain in the league next year.
Weekend Fixtures – Saturday, September 28
Catholic Institute vs UCC
12:30 | Rosbrien
Umpires: Jim Butler, Liz Clifford
UCD vs Old Alex
13:00 | Belfield Water
Umpires: Gary O’Connor, Simon MacAllister
Railway Union vs Pembroke Wanderers
13:30 | Park Avenue | Live on Hockey Ireland TV
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Fiona Davitt
Ulster Elks vs Loreto
14:30 | Jordanstown
Umpires: Aaron Donnell, Julie Fisher
Pegasus vs Ards
14:30 | Queens University
Umpires: Robert Johnston, Amy Jones
