Copenhagen, January 7 2025: Following on from the success at the Nkosi Cup in December, two more Ireland Indoor squads travelled to Denmark as preparation continues ahead of the 2026 EuroHockey Indoor Championships.
The Men’s and Women’s Developments sides travelled to Copenhagen to compete in a 3-day tournament, the Mason Cup, where they competed against sides from across Europe, including local Danish, Scottish, and Dutch teams. Both sides faired exceptionally well, showing the ever increasing strength of Irish Indoor Hockey, with the Women’s Development Team securing a silver medal, and the Men’s Development Team narrowly missing out on a medal with a fourth place finish.
Also among the accolades was Corinthian and Ireland Outdoor Pathway international Hollai Quinn, who returned home with the top scorer award in the Women’s Competition with an exceptional 9 goals in 4 matches.
Day 1
Following an early flight into the Danish capital on Friday morning, both sides had to focus in quickly as they kicked things off just a couple of hours later.
The Men’s team were up first, facing the Danish U21 team. Ireland’s Bruce Whaley gave the team a narrow 1-0 lead going into half time before Harry Dagg and Alfie Le Quesne add to Ireland’s tally to extend the lead to three goals. A late flurry of goals gave Denmark a lifeline, but Ireland held firm to grab their first victory of the tournamnt.
The Women’s team followed suit, grabbing a victory of their own in game 1 in dramatic fashion. Local side Copenhagen scored three unanswere goals to seize control of the match. However, with just 14 minutes on the clock, Ireland turned the game around with Hollai Quinn grabbing a hattrick and Paula Oldenkott also getting on the score sheet to turn the game around.
Ireland Men finished off the day with a nailbiting encounter with Swedish side Roslagen. Nothing could separate the sides early on as they entered half-time scoreless. But it was goals galore in the second half. Ireland took the lead on three separate occassions, wih goals from Noa Mulvey, Tom Mulvey and Harry St Leger but just couldn’t quite hold on to the lead with Roslagen equalising on each occassion to see the teams share the points.
Day 2
Friday’s results meant both Irish sides held a commanding position going into day 2, with a place in the Semi-Finals up for grabs.
Ireland Women second and final pool game was another close battle as they faced Club surVahr from Germany. A narrow 4-3 defeat was the final outcome, with Hollai Quinn netting twice, and Micaela Sanderson opening her account. However, the side had done enough to secure their place in the Semi-Finals.
Danish hosts Orient Lyngby were the Men’s third opposition of the tournamnt, and final opposition of the pool stages. The game was played at a rapid pace, with an entertaining six goals scored in the opening half. Ireland went into the break with the advantage, goals from Alfie Le Quesne, Bruce Whaley, Oisin O’Sullivan, and Dan O’Daly giving Ireland a 4-2 lead. Harry Dagg and Alfie Le Quesne added to Ireland’s tally eventually seeing them to a 6-3 victory, and securing their place in the Semi-Finals.
Ireland Women were first up in the semis, facing hosts Orient Lyngby. Hollai Quinn continued her goalscoring form, grabbing a brace to gieve Ireland a 2-0 lead at half-time. Quinn completed her hat-trick seeing Ireland progress to the final with a 3-1 victory over the hosts.
It was Ireland Men’s turn to try emulate the performance of the Women as they faced Scottish side Wester Wildcats. The Wildcats went into the break in control of the game with a 1-0 lead, with Ireland being denied from their penalty corner efforts. The team fought back, but a second yellow meant they played the final 12 minutes a player down. Goals from Noa Mulvey, Alfie Le Quesne and Harry Dagg ran Wester Wildcats close, but the Scottish side ultimately progressed to the final with a 4-3 win.
Day 3
It wasn’t to be for Ireland Men in the Bronze medal match on Sunday against Germany’s Club vanZuhr. The German side proved slightly too strong, eventually winning out 9-3, with Ireland’sBruce Whaley, Harry Dagg and Conor Irwin amongst the goals.
Local side Copenhagen were Ireland Women’s opposition in Sunday’s final. Another exceptionally close game unfortunatley din’t go Ireland’s way on this occassion. Hollai Quinn netted her 9th of the tournamnt, while Micaela Sanderson and Maebh Le Roux also netted during Ireland’s efforts. Copenhagen came away as victors in the end, winning by just a single goal and taking gold with a 4-3 win.
