Wednesday, September 24 – Tipperary: It has been over a century in the making, but hockey has finally returned to the men’s game in North Tipperary. This month, Nenagh Hockey Club fielded their first men’s team in the Munster Senior League, ending a 100-year wait for competitive men’s hockey in the region.
For a club that only re-formed in 2019, the achievement is significant. Coming together in the white jersey of Nenagh, players from Nenagh, Roscrea and Cashel New Inn lined out together for the first time to face Ashton HC of Cork last Saturday. The match was a milestone moment for the club and for Munster Hockey. “Men’s hockey hasn’t been played here for over a century, so to field a team this year is very special,” said club chairperson Edel Kennedy. “The new pitch project at Nenagh College is the next step, and we would love more players to reach out and get involved. The future is bright for hockey in the region.”
Hockey has deep roots in North Tipperary. The first club was founded in 1897 as Nenagh Commercial Hockey Club, with teams competing under names including Nenagh Rovers and Ormond Rovers. At its height in the early 1900s, Nenagh and the surrounding areas had several thriving clubs. Over time the sport faded from the local sporting landscape, surviving only in pockets. The women’s game enjoyed a revival in the 1990s, with a Nenagh side competing successfully at Munster and All-Ireland level. Many of those players are now back involved as coaches, guiding a new generation through the club’s underage system. This season Nenagh is also entering a senior women’s team into the Munster leagues for the first time in 20 years, meaning both men’s and women’s hockey are being represented once again.
The journey to this point has been driven by the dedication of volunteers, parents and players who revived the club six years ago. Today Nenagh HC has a full spread of underage teams, from U8s to U16 girls and junior boys, alongside its senior squads. Last year the club secured Sports Capital Funding for the development of a full-sized hockey pitch, a crucial step to securing the long-term future of the game locally. Until then Nenagh continues to train on the 4G pitch at Nenagh College and host home fixtures in Thurles.
Despite a challenging first outing for the Men’s team against Ashton HC, a proven Division One side, spirits remain high. Strong saves from goalkeeper Nanno Vuyk and spells of promising play gave a glimpse of what lies ahead. “Ashton are a quality side, so we were always going to be up against it,” said the Nenagh captain after the match. “We know we have plenty to work on, but the important thing is that we are out here, making history for the club. This is just the beginning.” The team will continue their Munster campaign this Saturday, September 27 when they face Waterford in their second league outing.
Hockey is once again firmly part of Nenagh’s sporting identity. The success of the Irish women’s team on the international stage has provided inspiration, while local enthusiasm and grassroots commitment continue to drive the club forward. After more than a century, men’s hockey has returned to North Tipperary, and with both senior teams now competing alongside strong underage structures, Nenagh HC is building a future for the sport that is both vibrant and sustainable.