Tuesday, April 7: While it may have been a quiet weekend on the domestic front, across Europe our clubs and officials were busy representing Irish Hockey at the highest level.
In ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Railway Union and Alison Keogh took their place amongst Europe’s top clubs and officials at the Euro Hockey League.
After a tough opening match against Scottish side Watsonians, Railway Union found their form in their Ranking Match against Czech side SK Slavia Prague, adding a second ever topflight win to their tally following their historic 2025 win over Sumchanka.
Railway got off to a lightning quick start, winning a penalty corner which Niamh Carey deflected in at the back post to open the scoring. Hollai Quinn doubled the scoring in Q2, reacting quickest to a loose ball following a save from a Matilde Errico effort to double Railway’s advantage.
Errico got a goal of her own in Q3, recovering the ball after a save from a penalty corner to add what ended up being a crucial third goal for the Dublin-side. Slavia Prague fought back, scoring from open play in the closing minutes of Q3, before reducing the deficit to a single goal in Q4, but Railway Union held out to secure their win and lockdown an 11th place finish overall in Europe’s topflight.
Alison Keogh was also in action, officiating in both the Women’s EHL Final 12 and Men’s EHL Final 8. The Irish Umpire was on duty seven occasions across the competition, including the Men’s Semi-Final between Real Club de Campo and Gantoise, and the Women’s Grand Final between hosts SCHC and Den Bosch.
Peter Urwin and Abigail Bolger were also present in the Netherlands as they continued their development as two of the countries’ most promising umpires. The duo officiated at the U14 Girls & Boys Euro Hockey League, with Abigail officiating the Boys Final. The pair were also joined by IHUA chair Tom Goode who acted as Umpire Manager for the competition.
In Vienna, Irish Clubs Lisnagarvey and Loreto were both in action at the EuroHockey Club Trophy I, with Oli Browne, Russell Donaldson and Erica Porter doing Ireland proud as officials.
Lisnagarvey enjoyed a strong pool stage campaign, opening their time in Vienna with a 12-0 win over OKS-SHVSM Vinnitsa. A more difficult encounter followed against Cardiff & Met which ended in a 3-2 loss for the Ulster side despite an exceptional second half push. But the side ended their pool stage campaign with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Lousada to secure a place in the bronze medal match against hosts SV Arminen.
Lisnagarvey made an excellent start, scoring twice from open play thanks to Matthew Nelson and Rya Getty. The second quarter followed suit, with Mark McNellis getting in on the act and Ben Nelson getting Garvey’s fourth, but SV Arminen added a goal of their own in between to remain in the fight. An early goal in Q3 for the hosts made it a two-score game, but Lisnagarvey’s Oliver Kidd eventually cancelled it out from a penalty corner to help secure the bronze medal for his side.
Russell Donaldson was also kept busy at the Men’s EuroHockey Trophy, officiating two feisty Pool A matches before overseeing the Grand Final. Erica Porter also put in an incredible shift, officiating nine matches across the three days as a Technical Officer, Timing Judge and Scoring Judge, including both the Grand Final and Bronze Medal match.
Nearby, Loreto battled it out in the Women’s EuroHockey Club Trophy. The Leinster side, after opening their campaign with a draw against hosts AHTC Wien, just came up short against a strong Hampstead & Westminster side, but finished the pool strong with a 2-0 win over TJ Plzeň-Litice thanks to goals from Rachel Kelly and Yasmin Pratt. It wasn’t to be for Loreto in the 5th/6th Play-Off in an exceptionally tight battle with French side Lille MHC, with a late goal for their opposition swinging the game in their favour.
Oli Brown enjoyed another excellent umpiring display in Europe at the Women’s EuroHockey Club Trophy, as he umpired three pool stage matches before capping off the weekend by officiating the grand final between Sumchanka and Hampstead & Westminster.
A massive congratulations to Railway Union, Lisnagarvey, and Loreto, as well as our incredible team of officials, who have all done us proud once again in Europe.
