tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21474393349302740412011-11-28T00:23:27.339ZLeinster hockey's first blog - promoting feature writing and discussion and providing an extra outlet for hockey news in Ireland as well as other features on Irish sport.Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.comBlogger17101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-33356885606649575092010-08-13T14:49:00.000+01:002010-08-13T14:49:05.562+01:00

The Hook is moving to an expanded new home at www.hookhockey.com. The new version of the site will endeavour to keep the spirit of the blog, carrying all the latest Leinster hockey news, reports and photos. The site features a number of new elements to help you find your preferred content – whether it be club, school or international – in as few clicks as possible, changing from the blog format

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-21107303927304434352010-08-09T14:03:00.000+01:002010-08-09T14:03:58.752+01:00

Pembroke have again cast their net to South African to secure a coach, appointing Brendon Carolan (pictured) as their men’s first team coach for the 2010/11 season. The 29 year old brings with him an impressive coaching CV, being named the South African Coach of the Year in 2009 as well as obtained an FIH High Performance qualification. He is currently the men’s head coach of KwaZulu Natal in

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-11467392843175892152010-08-08T18:56:00.001+01:002010-08-09T23:22:03.270+01:00

Ireland 2 (Alex Speers, Jean McDonnell) Belgium 1 (Morgane Vouche) For the third day running, Ireland wrapped up victory with something to spare as they netted twice in the first half at the National Hockey Stadium and while, Morgane Vouche got the Belgians in range, the hosts always held the aces. Alex Speers broke the deadlock in just the fifth minute when she dived to finish off fine

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-15602933541172806932010-08-07T18:44:00.002+01:002010-08-09T23:08:07.401+01:00

Ireland 3 (Cliodhna Sargent, Nikki Evans, Miriam Crowley) Belgium 1 (Valerie Vermeersch) Ireland again showed an enterprising spirit as they swept by Belgium for a second day running at the National Hockey Stadium as both sides continue with experimental sides. Emma Clarke returned to the side, coming in for Anna O’Flanagan in the match day 16, for her 99th cap but eight of the squad would be

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-59926760910839274532010-08-06T20:35:00.002+01:002010-08-06T21:34:08.595+01:00

Ireland 4 (Michelle Harvey 2, Nikki Evans 2) Belgium 0 A four-star second half performance saw Ireland end their Belgian hoodoo in fine fashion at the National Hockey Stadium as Nikki Evans and Michelle Harvey (pictured, right) both scored twice. It ended the country’s ten game losing streak in the best possible manner as a number of players made serious cases for inclusion in Gene Muller’s

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-61405892058218512862010-08-05T13:41:00.002+01:002010-08-05T16:25:23.040+01:00

The men’s Leinster league restructure will see the return of division nine while division two will remain in its existing format for the upcoming season, rising to seven in numbers following the formation of a new club, the Rathgar Chiefs. Based in High School’s idyllic Danum grounds, the Chiefs were formed this summer from a group of recent university graduates looking to continue playing

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-72446243986463758932010-08-03T11:28:00.001+01:002010-08-03T11:28:36.582+01:00

Paul Revington plans to use at least 25 players as Ireland’s men return to their international schedule after a brief summer break as the build-up to 2011’s European championships ramps up with a four-game series against Malaysia from August 18 to 22. The coach had named four separate groups of 15 players for each of the four-game series which precedes a five-nations tournament in Paris a week

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-12869361346047575712010-08-03T10:24:00.001+01:002010-08-03T10:25:40.949+01:00

Ireland will stick with a similar, experimental make-up to the squad which played Scotland recently with Gene Muller making two changes to the panel for next weekend’s series against Belgium. Kate McConnell (left) returns to the senior panel for the first time since July 2008 when she featured in the Celtic Cup in Garryduff with Stephanie Quinn stepping out of the selection for these games, to

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-2325263134371119422010-07-29T03:27:00.001+01:002010-07-29T03:30:06.297+01:00

Just two weeks remain before the early bird offer expires for the IHA’s annual Hooked! Coaching Conference. The IHA are currently offering a 25pc discount to the €60 price for the conference which gets underway in early September. Senior international coaches Paul Revington and Gene Muller, along with IHA High Performance Director Dave Passmore will be among the key presenters. They will cover

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-66063466978520492862010-07-26T22:26:00.000+01:002010-07-26T22:26:00.671+01:00

Paul Revington’s Irish men’s team have a busy August in store as Malaysia have been confirmed as visitors for a four match series (times and dates to be confirmed) before taking on a five nations event in Paris. Ranked 14 in the world, Malaysia are the highest placed side Revington has beaten with Ireland since taking over the post in November 2008, getting the better of the Asian side 2-1 in

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-10786462609807369992010-07-25T20:50:00.000+01:002010-07-25T20:50:04.727+01:00

Senior Women's international challenge match Scotland 3 (Kareena Marshall, Susan Hamilton, Aimee Clark) Ireland 1 (Alex Speers) Scotland completed a clean sweep from their three match series with Ireland this afternoon in Forthbank, finding it a smoother transition to bed in their three new squad additions than Ireland’s sixth. Old Alex goalkeeper Pamela Smithwick was the latest new Irish cap,

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-21252030812059757242010-07-24T23:30:00.001+01:002010-07-25T11:31:55.207+01:00

Senior women's international challenge match Scotland 2 (Louise Baxter, Vikki Bunce) Ireland 1 (Jean McDonnell) Despite Jean McDonnell’s stunning second half effort, an experimental Ireland side fell 2-1 to a Scottish side also using this series to assess their options as the Forthbank hosts fielded two debutants for Saturday’s tie. The Scots took the lead midway through the first half following

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-35321767102855012072010-07-24T19:02:00.001+01:002010-07-24T19:02:57.351+01:00

Senior women's international challenge match Scotland 1 (Nikki Kidd) Ireland 0 Gene Muller handed five Irish players their first senior international caps but they were unable to turn the tide against Scotland as a 40th minute goal settled the tie with Nikki Kidd dragging home the winner in the first of the three match series in Forthbank on Friday night. Emma Clarke, elevated to captain on her

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-61651557832000176172010-07-22T13:28:00.001+01:002010-07-24T18:53:08.312+01:00

Gene Muller has named six uncapped players in his squad for this weekend’s three-match series against Scotland in Stirling this weekend. The selection comes 13 months before Ireland’s first shot at claiming an Olympic spot at the European championships in Monchengladbach in late August 2011 with this series – and three games against Belgium in a fortnight – a showcase for the possibles with ten

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-55256291891978117632010-07-21T12:21:00.000+01:002010-07-22T12:24:05.304+01:00

The line-up for the group stages of the National Indoor Trophy were released earlier this week with initial rounds of the competition in December and January, leading to the finals weekend in the NBA on Ferbuary 12 and 13, 2011. Lisburn will be a new venue for the competition as two men’s and two women’s team from Ulster enter the competition – Belfast Harlequins and Annadale in the former;

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-2579120204844836112010-07-19T23:46:00.000+01:002010-07-19T23:46:38.564+01:00

Ireland’s U-18 boys and girls completed a first ever Home Nations double at Garryduff yesterday, both picking up the results they required from their final game of the four nations competition. Needing only a draw to annex the title, the boys recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Wales while the women cut it much finer. They lost 1-0 to Scotland but prevailed in a three-way tie in the final

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-81371551094303943992010-07-18T20:58:00.003+01:002010-07-18T23:22:55.682+01:00

An U-18 Home Nations double is still on the cards as the Irish boys and girls both overcame England at Garryduff this afternoon and require a single point from tomorrow’s third series of games to annex their respective titles. Tom Samuel struck twice to overhaul an English first half lead in the boy’s game to notch a 2-1 win as they prevailed in spite of three yellow card sin-binnings. The

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-20176733399454797232010-07-17T20:26:00.003+01:002010-07-18T18:18:00.985+01:00

Nicola Gray’s corner smash and Vanessa Surgeoner’s deliciously timed second half strike handed Ireland the win their dominance deserved against Wales at Garryduff this evening for whom goalkeeper Roseanne Thomas was outstanding. Gray battered home a trademark corner from the girls in green’s first set piece in the fifth minute but from then on Thomas kept out numerous of her straight hits – five

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-22035812700061717062010-07-17T20:23:00.003+01:002010-07-18T18:17:45.772+01:00

Shane O’Donoghue’s brilliant quadruple fired Ireland’s U-18 boys to a 4-2 win over Scotland in their opening Home Nations tie at Garryduff this afternoon, firing three inside the first half. It was a tally of sheer quality as the Irish held off a Ben Peterson-inspired second half fightback when the Irish looked to have let their early dominance slip. The Glenanne man (pictured) opened the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-62377353204024390332010-07-17T18:13:00.000+01:002010-07-17T18:13:04.168+01:00

Ireland U-16 girls rallied late but left it too late as Belgium took bronze at the European Championships in Barcelona with a 2-1 win to end a dramatic week. Sharp-shooter Katie Mullan fired home a 64th minute corner and pressure in the closing minutes earned another corner on the final whistle for Ireland. But they were unable to convert a set-piece which would have earned extra-time in the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-61715513422152275932010-07-17T12:30:00.003+01:002010-07-17T13:30:39.436+01:00

Ireland U-16 girls' management have reacted angrily to Dutch claims of an overly robust approach described as "totally inappropriate" in the wake of their 5-1 semi-final defeat yesterday afternoon. Speaking to hockey.nl, Dutch coach Kai de Jager said: "It was just physical force/violence which I thought was totally inappropriate. They had no intention to play hockey and just hung around in front

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-45002157296497689252010-07-16T23:45:00.000+01:002010-07-16T23:45:49.865+01:00

Una McCarthy’s Ireland U-16 girls were unable to halt the Dutch juggernaut but did show up reasonably well in the physical exchanges against a side that had already battered 43 goals from three games to date in the tournament. Captain Frederique Derkx netted four times – two corners and two strokes – in her side’s 5-1 win over the girls in green though Chloe Brown did pull one back from play to

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-36224457426088263792010-07-15T11:31:00.005+01:002010-07-15T11:39:41.865+01:00

Irish hockey's top photographers have joined forces to launch a new one-stop shop - http://irishhockeyphotographers.zenfolio.com - for players, parents and fans to purchase top-class pictures. The Irish Hockey Photographers collective was founded in 2008 in association with Ireland's dedicated hockey news websites, The Hook and Southern Fried. The team of amateur snappers has grown to

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-77099348804854371812010-07-15T11:07:00.000+01:002010-07-15T11:07:04.269+01:00

The Irish U-18 boys and girl’s panels have been named for this weekend’s Home Nations competition to be held in Garryduff, Cork this weekend. The boys side gets its nucleus from the Wesley and Banbridge sides. The former – who claimed three schools titles this year – provide five of the 18 player panel while Bann have three panellists, though their contingent could have been more had Robin Smyrl

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-73511350806638067822010-07-15T01:22:00.002+01:002010-07-15T10:22:29.903+01:00

Ireland’s U-16 girls advanced to the semi-finals of the European championships as they beat Russia 4-0 in Barcelona this evening to finish second in their group behind Spain. They will face the daunting prospect of the Netherlands in the final four; a side who scored a massive 43 goals in their three initial group games. Roisin Upton and Katie Mullan both grabbed their second goals of the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-19195439258604617772010-07-14T12:18:00.000+01:002010-07-14T12:18:45.957+01:00

Loreto hockey club are looking for coaches of all levels to join them for the 2010/11 season. The club are the reigning women’s Irish Senior Cup holders and currently have six teams competing at all levels in the Leinster leagues as well as a large junior section. If you are interested in taking on a side and want to find out more, contact loretohockeyclub@gmail.com.

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-71916368419045337732010-07-13T23:07:00.000+01:002010-07-14T01:23:30.991+01:00

* Words from Southern Fried's Alan Good Ireland’s U-16 boys will be looking for a favour from the Netherlands tomorrow, but a place in the semi-finals of the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships in Barcelona is still within their grasp. A 1-1 draw with Austria today leaves Miles Warren’s side in third in their pool, with Adam Fallis’ neat turn giving him the space to push home an equaliser.

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-66622087584230972642010-07-12T23:11:00.000+01:002010-07-13T01:14:00.852+01:00

Ireland’s U16 girls gave themselves a fighting chance of a semi-final spot at the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships in Barcelona, by hammering the Ukraine 4-0 in their opening game earlier tonight. Wesley’s junior captain Anna-May Whelan gave Ireland the lead with further goals coming from Orla Macken, Roisin Upton and Katie Mullan. Ireland look set to face a tougher examination today (5pm

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-51858821649080107052010-07-09T10:42:00.001+01:002010-07-09T10:42:47.001+01:00

Stephanie Batt is currently assembling a history of Leinster ladies’ hockey clubs: senior, intermediate, junior and minor with a view to producing a book. She is appealing to all club secretaries or individual club members who could furnish her with details, photos, newspapers or personal reminiscences of their club’s history for inclusion. All documents and photographs would be safely kept and

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-63011944566026733302010-07-08T16:58:00.000+01:002010-07-08T16:58:59.045+01:00

Le Touquet hockey club are hoping to travel to Dublin for a preseason tour and are currently looking for opposition for a weekend in early September – either the 3rd to 5th or 10th to 12th. They will arrive in Dublin with their men’s first team and also a veteran’s side made of players aged over 40. If your club are interested in welcoming the French club on these dates, email Eric Chateau – Le

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-47245628232998264362010-07-07T13:24:00.000+01:002010-07-07T13:24:31.477+01:00

The IHA confirmed today that from October 2010, the majority of the Irish senior women’s team will commit to a ‘Central Preparation Programme’ (CPP) located in Dublin, for a period of ten months. The programme is designed, according to an IHA press release, to “facilitate a core, intensive preparation program targeting those athletes in contention for selection in the build up to the Olympic

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-50094542620853013962010-07-07T11:08:00.001+01:002010-07-07T11:10:40.859+01:00

Glenanne Sports Club have announced that Graham Shaw has been installed as the men's player-coach for the forthcoming 2010/2011 season. Shaw, who retired from international hockey last winter with 151 caps to his name, will take over from Arul Anthoni as he prepares to lead Glens into their second EHL campaign. In a statement released by the club, Glenanne said as part of the announcement "

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-20197427429133549472010-07-06T12:49:00.000+01:002010-07-06T12:49:04.388+01:00

Railway Union have announced the appointment of Ian O'Keeffe as coach for the men’s first team for the 2010/11 season. In a statement released by the club this week, Railway said of the appointment: “After a period out of hockey, O’Keeffe is keen to get back into the game and brings with him a huge amount of playing and coaching experience and we are looking forward to successful times with Ian.

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-91729499607985306352010-07-06T12:20:00.001+01:002010-07-06T12:21:09.003+01:00

Ireland’s U-18s completed an excellent trio of games with their most emphatic win of three over Scotland at Jordanstown on Monday as they picked up a 3-0 win. Leah Ewart was on target for the third game in-a-row while Rebecca Barry and Katie Codyre (left) were also on the mark. It concludes their build-up to the Home Nations tournament in style and they now look forward to the event which will

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-86014486205667260252010-07-04T23:20:00.002+01:002010-07-06T12:50:23.857+01:00

Ireland’s U-21 boys were denied the Junior Celtic Cup in dramatic fashion as an experienced Scotland side following a 4-4 draw at Coolnafranky. The Irish led three times in the game but found themselves chasing the game in the final stages as Kenny Bain popped up to score his side’s crucial fourth goal. Stuart Loughrey equalised to set up an exciting final few minutes but Scotland held on to

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-28806683212140731882010-07-04T22:09:00.002+01:002010-07-05T00:11:07.449+01:00

Senior Men's international fixtures Saturday: Ireland 1 (Alan Sothern) France 1 (Joost Jansen) Sunday: Ireland 3 (Eugene Magee 2, David Ames) France 3 Ireland produced an incredible fight-back in the third of their three matches against France to sign off on their summer six-match campaign unbeaten with the Celtic Cup and a series win under their belt. It looked an unlikely outcome with ten

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-1921543869243846462010-07-04T11:03:00.002+01:002010-07-05T00:00:33.694+01:00

Senior women's international Ireland 1 (Lisa Jacob) Australia 4 (Emily Hurtz 3, Megan Rivers) Emily Hurtz (pictured, below left) completed her role as Ireland’s tormentor with a trio of close range corner goals in a game defined by a string of set pieces but little excitement from play. Australia notched seven corners in the first 50 minutes, scoring from four of them, to put this game to bed

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-16500236990798858392010-07-03T11:58:00.001+01:002010-07-05T00:00:53.996+01:00

Timmy Cockram and Bridget Cleland are both set to hit major international appearance landmarks today on what will be the busiest day of the international summer with six Irish outfits doing battle. Cockram – like Irish men’s skipper Ronan Gormley last week – scored on his 99th cap and will be aiming to extend Ireland’s fine run in their summer series to date with a fifth consecutive win in eight

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-42921270018587343932010-07-02T20:47:00.000+01:002010-07-02T20:47:52.839+01:00

Junior Celtic Cup Ireland U-21 men 6 (Brian Doherty 4, Davy Carson, Drew Carlisle) Wales 0; Ireland U-21 women 4 (Anna O’Flanagan 2, Kate McKenna, Kate McConnell) Captain Brian Doherty (pictured) led from the front with an outstanding quadruple as Ireland’s U-21s put Wales to the sword at Coolnafranky this evening, smashing a half-dozen past the hapless visitors. Doherty dragged home off the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-88911906854944148262010-07-02T20:33:00.002+01:002010-07-05T00:01:31.090+01:00

Senior Women's International Ireland 0 Australia 1 (Emily Hurtz) For the second game running, Emily Hurtz proved Ireland’s denier, this time striking just two and a half minutes from time to deny Ireland a famous draw at Belfield against the world number fives. Again, they would have been reasonable value for it as the hockeyroos struggled to find the invention to unlock an organised Irish

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-52772317517786748342010-07-02T17:12:00.000+01:002010-07-02T17:12:20.007+01:00

Pembroke Wanderers are now accepting applications for the position of men's first team coach following Craig Fulton’s decision to resign from the role this week. In a statement from the club, Pembroke said they "would like to thank Craig for the five years he was been with us, which has seen our men’s first team having great success, including winning back-to-back IHL trophies, participating

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-31095968453749489612010-07-02T16:22:00.004+01:002010-07-02T16:24:16.531+01:00

**Advertising feature** The Pig N’ Porter festival this year will run a 6-a-side Mixed Hockey Tournament – in association with Alive Outside and the IHA – alongside the traditional Mixed Tag Rugby Festival at Catholic Institute’s grounds in Limerick on Saturday, July 17. The cost for the weekend per hockey team is €200 which includes free entry to the entirety of the Pig N’ Porter Festival. The

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-5832540428339207542010-07-01T21:39:00.004+01:002010-07-02T12:47:01.059+01:00

Senior men's international (Cookstown) Ireland 3 (Timmy Cockram, Andy McConnell, Chris Cargo) France 1 (Guillaume Deront) Ireland’s men produced another slick, fast-flowing performance to dispatch France 3-1 last night in the first senior international to be played at Cookstown’s new Coolnafranky facility. Timmy Cockram (pictured) linked up brilliantly with David Ames – who impressed throughout

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-84740976261674412832010-07-01T18:33:00.000+01:002010-07-01T18:33:25.136+01:00

Ireland’s U-18s concluded their three-game series with Belgium with a pair of defeats at Belfield this morning, the boys missing out by the odd goal in five while the visitors found their form in the girl’s tie to win comfortably. The girls, as a result, ended up tying the series with a win, draw and a loss after they fell behind inside the first five minutes to a Belgian corner. They created

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-89330447737734403002010-06-30T22:58:00.002+01:002010-07-01T18:59:44.364+01:00

Senior women's International fixture Ireland 0 Australia 1 (Emily Hurtz) A gritty Irish performance fell just short as Emily Hurtz’ (pictured) superbly arrowed shot two minutes into the second half settled the tie. As befitting a world number five side, Australia played at a lively, sharp tempo but Ireland’s defence – with Sinead McCarthy coming on in the tenth minute for her debut – stemmed any

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-63205349008541884932010-06-30T20:10:00.006+01:002010-06-30T23:37:50.218+01:00

Ireland U-18 boys 1 (Owen Magee) Belgium 5; Ireland U-18 girls 1 (Naomi Carroll) Belgium 1 A tired-looking Irish U-18 boys – playing their fifth match since Friday – fell 5-1 this afternoon to a stylish and technically sound Belgian outfit at Belfield, coming back from an early goal deficit. Owen Magee had given the Irish the lead but the Belgians scored a pair of neatly worked corners to turn

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-44042640033566016222010-06-30T14:01:00.001+01:002010-06-30T14:22:09.433+01:00

Gene Muller has no fresh injury worries ahead of the three-game series with Australia which gets underway in Belfield this evening following a tough workout at the Four-Nations tournament in Germany last weekend. It means the squad is as announced on June 15 with Louisa Healy coming back in for possibly her 50th cap while Sinead McCarthy could make her debut with Mary Goode sitting out the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-41526512604560776872010-06-30T13:25:00.001+01:002010-06-30T13:35:12.978+01:00

Pembroke face a trip to Portugal while Railway Union ladies European debut is set for Bratislava in Slovakia following the announcement yesterday of the pools for the European indoor club championships. Pembroke will compete in the Men’s Challenge I event – the third tier of competition – and are provisionally named in a group of fours with hosts AD Lousada, Hungary’s Epitok and Slovakia’s SK

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-46403514231586869622010-06-27T21:41:00.002+01:002010-06-28T23:03:15.151+01:00

Ireland’s U-18s produced a superb weekend’s work in Lisnagarvey as they notched three wins in succession against Scotland in three days. They got off to flyer on Friday night with Shane O’Donoghue bagging a double while Tom Samuel, William Edgar and Andy Williamson completed a 5-1 rout. Sykes bagged a double in the second game on Saturday with Cork C of I man Nick Burns on target along with

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-25606119756299026962010-06-27T18:36:00.004+01:002010-06-30T13:44:10.459+01:00

Senior Men's Celtic Cup Ireland 7 (Mitch Darling 3, Eugene Magee, Alan Sothern, Alan Giles, Peter Caruth) France 0 Ireland completed the perfect weekend in France as they completed their third win with a comprehensive 7-0 mauling of the host nation in le Touquet this afternoon. Mitch Darling bagged a hat-trick to pick up the tournament’s top-scorer award and Iain Walker was named the event’s

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-26117370832413356202010-06-27T17:47:00.001+01:002010-06-29T12:25:54.001+01:00

Four Nations tournament (Essen) Ireland 0 India 6 A sub-par performance saw Ireland slump to the wooden spoon in Germany today as they were beaten 6-0 by India in 30 degree heat. It was a disappointing end to a tournament from which Gene Muller drew plenty of positives from good performances against world top five sides Australia and Germany in the preceding days. But there were few upbeat

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-6852255704386989242010-06-26T22:44:00.002+01:002010-06-29T12:26:46.082+01:00

Senior Women’s Four Nations Ireland 1 (Emma Smyth) Germany 3 (Lina Geyer, Tina Bachmann 2) Gene Muller was once again pleased with how his Irish side performed against one of the world’s top nations as the girls in green created more chances than previous encounters against Germany, in a 3-1 defeat in Essen this afternoon. Michelle Harvey’s long ball inside 30 seconds created a great chance

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-78731178319174144632010-06-26T21:47:00.000+01:002010-06-26T21:47:38.664+01:00

Men’s Senior Celtic Cup Ireland 4 (Ronan Gormley 2, Paul Gleghorne, Peter Caruth) Wales 0 Ronan Gormley’s first half double set the tone for another impressive Irish performance as they beat Wales 4-0 in Le Touquet this afternoon in sweltering heat. They took eight minutes to get up and running, racing out of the blocks when Timmy Cockram's shot was stopped illegally en route to goal. Skipper

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-29165546349579819432010-06-26T10:43:00.002+01:002010-06-29T12:27:46.589+01:00

Senior Women's Four Nations: Ireland 0 Australia 4 Ireland’s ladies were unable to snag a bout of revenge over Australia as they fell 4-0 in balmy Essen as the hockeyroos struck twice in each half to top the group after day one. The tie ended in a similar scoreline to the 4-1 setback in Chile six weeks ago but, nonetheless, coach Gene Muller was pleased with the performance, saying: “It was a

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-5663095495027295162010-06-25T19:31:00.006+01:002010-06-26T21:32:22.521+01:00

Senior Men’s Celtic Cup Ireland 3 (C Cargo, C Harte, T Cockram) Scotland 1 (K Bain) A slick, fast-paced performance saw Ireland continued their hoodoo over Scotland, bringing their run to 13 games unbeaten yesterday afternoon in Le Touquet, France with a comfortable 3-1 win. It was an impressive performance from Paul Revington’s side in his first chance to put a new-look side through their

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-54689120792670977222010-06-25T15:20:00.004+01:002010-06-26T08:25:01.332+01:00

Fortune favours the laid-back. Or perhaps it just favours the talented as Eimear Cregan stands on the cusp of setting the new mark for Irish women’s international caps this weekend when she captains the side in the Four-Nations event in Essen, Germany. Should the 28-year-old play two of Ireland’s three games this weekend against Australia, India and the host nation, Cregan will surpass former

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-70708083611221016432010-06-25T08:47:00.000+01:002010-06-25T08:47:05.207+01:00

Lisa McCarthy is the one Leinster name to be included in the Irish U-17 panel named on Thursday to participate at the first World Youth Olympic Games which are being held in Singapore in August. The Mount Anville teenager has had an impressive season, making it to the edges of Railway Union’s IHL winning panel and was part of their 12 player squad who won the National Indoor Trophy. Two places

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-12514675250259672672010-06-24T00:41:00.000+01:002010-06-24T00:41:32.693+01:00

The Leinster U-18 and U-16 boys and girl’s teams will host a fundraising barbecue and mixed hockey tournament on Saturday afternoon in Railway Union’s Park Avenue. The day will begin with a Leinster U-18 boy’s trial before the social side of the day gets underway with registration for the U-16/U-18 mixed tournament at 2.30pm with games getting up and running soon after. The tournament will run

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-56894868633429367342010-06-23T22:19:00.001+01:002010-06-23T22:20:17.593+01:00

Eight Leinster players have been included in the 18 man Ireland A squad named by Graham Shaw for the upcoming Junior Celtic Cup, to be played in Cookstown from July 2-4. Speaking about the selection, Ireland’s Senior men’s coach Paul Revington said “It is crucial for Irish Hockey that this group of U-21 players are able to perform together at international level, and the 2010 Junior Celtic Cup

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-83276815390341874942010-06-23T21:47:00.003+01:002010-06-23T21:49:35.401+01:00

** Words from Helen Johnston ** The Irish women’s masters (over 40s) played their first tournament last weekend, taking part in the Masters Home Countries International Hockey Championships in Swansea, Wales. Due to the sterling efforts of the men's masters co-ordinator Andy Nye and the women's co-ordinator, Alison Pigot. a squad of 13 was assembled for the competition. Following a couple of

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-8249449724838703612010-06-22T14:39:00.000+01:002010-06-22T14:39:50.051+01:00

Ireland ‘A’ Women’s coach, Guy Garrett, has announced his squad to play in the Junior Celtic Cup on 2-4 July, 2010. The tournament is limited to U-21 players and so the squad selection reflects this. Speaking of the upcoming tournament, Coach Guy Garrett, said that, “Preparation has been very intense and the players have worked hard with this specific goal in mind. We know that this will be a

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-18326892363741927542010-06-22T14:26:00.000+01:002010-06-22T14:26:07.105+01:00

Rory O'Donoghue was confirmed yesterday as UCD men’s new coach for the 2010/11 coming season, making the switch from Monkstown during a stint in which he secured automatic IHL qualification three years in a row as well as two Irish Senior Cup final appearances. O'Donoghue replaces John McInroy who returns South Africa. A spokesman for the club said of the appointment: "We are delighted to

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-28522354880030865002010-06-22T00:53:00.000+01:002010-06-22T00:53:33.038+01:00

* Hermes have appointed Mary Logue as their head coach for the upcoming season, making the switch after a couple of seasons with UCD in which she helped the club win the Irish Senior Cup and return to the Irish Hockey League. She also coached Ireland’s U-18 selection in the European A division last year and returns to a club where she enjoyed great times as a player. Logue takes over for

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-23166624281480333412010-06-20T01:12:00.001+01:002010-06-22T01:15:29.274+01:00

Ireland built up to next weekend's Celtic Cup in Le Touquet, France with an impressive 7-1 win over Cookstown at the official opening of the new Coolnafranky complex in Co Tyrone on Friday. The panel featured 17 of the Irish panel who will travel to France in the green jersey. Jason Lynch stepped in to complete the 18 for Ireland with David Ames playing for Cookstown in the fixture and getting

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-87512008724485997772010-06-17T13:57:00.003+01:002010-06-18T10:05:14.515+01:00

A number of players have a chance to stake their claim for a midfield berth as Paul Revington named six changes to his Ireland squad for the Celtic Cup from 2009’s World Cup qualifiers. All were enforced swaps with four of them coming in the middle of the park with Glenanne pair Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw (retirement) and Cork C of I duo David Hobbs and John Jermyn taking a summer sabbatical

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-43321602252139799192010-06-15T13:03:00.000+01:002010-06-15T13:03:52.951+01:00

Gene Muller has announced three changes from the World Cup qualifying squad for the upcoming Four-Nations event in Essen, Germany which gets underway on June 25. Nikki Evans (left) looks set for an international debut following her inclusion for that tournament – which features high quality games against India, Germany and Australia – as well as a three-game series against Australia in early

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-10042667918160638042010-06-15T12:25:00.002+01:002010-06-15T14:04:31.685+01:00

Cookstown will play host to the first stage of Ireland’s men’s summer programme as they officially open their state-of-the-art water-based facilities as the club face the current Ireland men’s team at Coolnafranky (pictured, right) at 8pm on Friday night Ireland manager Paul Revington has promised that his team will be strong one as part of the preparation for the Celtic Cup to be played a week

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-72973438143859239832010-06-11T00:59:00.000+01:002010-06-11T00:59:07.949+01:00

Ireland will field an U-17 girls team at the inaugural World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this August, it was revealed earlier today. The Irish Hockey Association’s high performance director Dave Passmore will lead a 16-strong squad to the tournament in Asia, having officially secured its place in recent days. They will challenge for Olympic gold against nations such as New Zealand,

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-16850719187017188072010-06-10T19:44:00.000+01:002010-06-10T19:44:03.273+01:00

Bray ladies are on the look-out for a new coach following Johnny Harte’s decision to step down from the role. The club are looking for someone with good technical and interpersonal skills and someone who can commit fully to coaching a division one side. Candidates would preferably have coaching experience at this level. Anyone with interest in the role can contact Lauren Kelly at lolkelso@

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-90031044135486644842010-06-09T23:26:00.000+01:002010-06-09T23:26:06.102+01:00

Success for the Irish abroad appears to be a recurring theme as Peter Blakeney’s achievements with Roma followed a week after Ulster trio Geoff McCabe, Eugene Magee and Mikey Watt helped Antwerp’s Dragons to the Belgian national title. It comes a year after Galway girl Ciara Murphy helped La Gantoise win the women’s top honour in the country and a few years since the Glenanne trio of Stephen

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-41373604715228048492010-06-08T23:17:00.005+01:002010-06-09T09:16:19.219+01:00

Suffering from hockey withdrawal symptoms? Bloemendaal began the Dutch national championships last weekend, getting the better of HGC 2-1 in the first match of the three game grand final. Here's edited highlights of the game. * If you have seen any other good Youtube/Vimeo clips in recent times, especially ones from the Irish season gone by, drop me an email or leave a comment and I'll put up

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-8069378120553877772010-06-07T14:03:00.005+01:002010-06-07T22:23:08.987+01:00

Peter Blakeney became one of a rare few in world sport as a national champion in three different countries as he helped HC de Sisti Roma to the Italian ‘Serie A’ title, adding to prior victories in Australia with the West Australia Thundersticks and in Ireland as part of Three Rock Rovers club championship season in 2008. With job opportunities scarce in Ireland, Blakeney agreed to join the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-86386483566036882212010-06-05T12:16:00.000+01:002010-06-05T12:16:12.236+01:00

The international summer gets underway later this month as Ireland compete in 55 fixtures across eight squads from late June to the end of July with the boys and girls U-16 panels taking part in their major event, the European Nations Cup in Barcelona, both competing at A division level. The women’s senior team will play nine internationals in a month, starting with a high quality four-nations

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-21181330735698464442010-05-31T13:53:00.000+01:002010-05-31T13:53:49.726+01:00

Corinthian ladies first eleven are looking for a new coaching team in the wake of Stuart Walker and Andrew Cronje being unable to continue the role and are now advertising for the position of coach. Key skills for the job would be technical and strategic ability, interpersonal and organisational skills. The applicants must be able to provide the commitment levels required for coaching a division

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-56354699176770088262010-05-30T11:57:00.001+01:002010-05-31T21:12:35.531+01:00

Railway Union's ladies, the Watkins family and Glenanne were the big winners at last night's Irish Hockey Awards, held in the Burlington Hotel with nearly 400 people in attendance, including former world super-bantamweight champion boxer Bernard Dunne, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport Mary Hanafin and compered by RTE's Darragh Maloney. Brother and sister Gareth and Chloe Watkins followed

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-37343141606198151322010-05-28T15:00:00.001+01:002010-05-31T22:07:00.061+01:00

Irish U-18 coach Andy Smyth and manager Chris McCandless have from their posts with immediate effect this week following a stand-off with the IHA over funding and their views on the long-term good of the sport. But the IHA have quickly denied to the Hook and BBC Radio Ulster that any Junior Age Group team will be “scrapped”, as suggested was the cause for the resignations by a Belfast Newsletter

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-29205084691738276532010-05-28T11:22:00.001+01:002010-05-28T14:56:28.347+01:00

Portrane, one of the country’s oldest clubs, bounced back from last season’s relegation to division four as they landed the division five title in the final match of the season, defeating long-time leaders Naas to take top spot for the first time. The club earned just one point from their opening four games of the campaign but their fortunes turned with the arrival of former Glenanne and Dublin

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-83844860137295651982010-05-27T17:44:00.000+01:002010-05-27T17:44:29.380+01:00

UCD men are on the lookout for a new coach following John McInroy’s decision to pursue a new business venture in his native South Africa, leaving with the club’s blessing. Speaking in the wake of his one year tenure, the player-coach said of the student club: “I believe UCD can become the most powerful team and producer of international hockey players in the country. “It is a very exciting

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-924797151521679012010-05-27T17:35:00.000+01:002010-05-27T17:35:42.366+01:00

The myriad machinations of women’s European club competition has seen Ireland’s two representatives drop a division despite Loreto’s fifth place finish in Rome earlier this week. Ireland’s second seed, UCD, were relegated from the third tier European Champion’s Challenge I competition on Monday following a 2-1 defeat to Czech hosts Slavia Praha. Rachel Burke got a superb deflection to Kerry

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-6717440189351994082010-05-27T11:30:00.000+01:002010-05-28T11:31:53.147+01:00

Avoca U-21 Cup final: Monkstown 7 TRR 0 Monkstown retained the Avoca Cup at Whitechurch with an emphatic win over Three Rock Rovers on IHL Sunday. The game was effectively over in the first four minutes when an attacking blitz saw the Town put three past Stephen West. Strikes from a solo run by Frank Ryan, an opportunist reverse by Theo Kirwan and a deft flick by Andrew Ward stunned Rovers in

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-12368708960082319262010-05-23T20:14:00.001+01:002010-05-23T20:16:25.336+01:00

EuroHockey Club Champion’s Challenge I - Day Three UCD 0 Cambrai 1 (Gwenaelle Dutel) UCD fell to a second defeat in two days to miss out on a final shot as Cambrai grabbed the only goal through Gwenaelle Dutel struck from play in the 19th minute. In combination with Royal Uccle’s win over Rottweiss Wettingen, a draw would have seen the students advance to one of Monday’s twin ‘finals’ but they

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-27064715117251780912010-05-23T19:58:00.002+01:002010-05-23T19:58:45.697+01:00

EuroHockey Club Champion’s Trophy - fifth/sixth playoff Loreto 3 (Nikki Keegan, Lizzie Colvin, Nicci Daly) Alta Boryspol (Ukraine) 1 Loreto finally found their scoring sticks in the second half of their fourth EuroHockey Club Champion’s Trophy to end their campaign on a high, finishing fifth with an impressive win over Ukraine’s Alta Boryspol, outdoing their pre-tournament ranking by three

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-74257916057789333152010-05-22T19:27:00.000+01:002010-05-23T19:27:50.321+01:00

EuroHockey Champions Challenge I UCD 0 Royal Uccle 2 (Magali Demeyere, Sofia Ambrosoni) UCD remain in second in Pool A of the EuroHockey Champions Challenge as they failed to augment their 1-0 win yesterday with victory today against Belgian’s second ranked side; goals from Magali Demeyre and Sofia Ambrosoni giving the Belgian outfit Royal Uccle the win. Uccle got off to a flyer, scoring after

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-87768768739801986932010-05-22T13:41:00.000+01:002010-05-22T13:41:17.952+01:00

EuroHockey Club Champion's Trophy Loreto 0 Izmaylova Moscow 3 Loreto again struggled to convert possession into goals but managed to take third place in the group – meaning they will finish above their pre-tournament ranking of eighth seed – courtesy of an amazing late three goal from La Gantoise in the group’s other game. Moscow scored from their first corner following a trio of saves from

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-55298164347119439892010-05-21T17:09:00.000+01:002010-05-21T17:09:58.787+01:00

EuroHockey Club Champions's Trophy Loreto 1 (Niamh Small) La Gantoise 4 Loreto chances of reaching Sunday's final in Rome are all but mathematically over as they fell to a 4-1 defeat to Belgian champions La Gantoise - who featured former Alex and Trinity woman Ciara Murphy - this morning. They got off to a nightmare start, conceding in the first minute but Niamh Small cancelled out that effort

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-60667042528120746942010-05-20T14:29:00.002+01:002011-09-06T17:57:57.989+01:00

Women's EuroHockey Club Champion's Trophy Loreto 2 (Nicci Daly, Nikki Symmons) Kelburne 2 Loreto began their European campaign with a draw to leave things all tied up in Group A after day one - the Beaufort's club's Russian and Belgian rivals playing out a 3-3 draw earlier - as Nikki Symmons penalty stroke earned her side a draw. Nicci Daly had earlier broken the deadlock with her side's first

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-64818958893147652010-05-19T03:43:00.000+01:002010-05-19T03:43:09.020+01:00

World player of the year Jamie Dwyer was on hand to show off some of the skills that made him a World and Olympic champion and impart some of his knowledge to some of Ireland's future stars at Grange Road last weekend. The diminutive Australian conducted a couple of coaching clinics which ran in tandem with the Irish Hockey League's finals weekend. In between times, he also was on hand to sign

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-15928912112371753052010-05-19T03:09:00.000+01:002010-05-19T03:09:52.820+01:00

* Suttonians currently have coaching positions available for the upcoming 2010/11 season. The ladies section is looking for a head coach and an assistant coach who will be responsible for the ladies 1st and 2nd teams and ladies 3rd and 4th teams respectively. The club are also looking for a goalkeeping coach who will be responsible for coaching both the men’s and ladies goalkeepers. This role

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-34257305405042738832010-05-19T02:44:00.000+01:002010-05-19T02:44:17.986+01:00

Women’s IHL 2010 finalists Railway Union and Cork Harlequins will lock horns once again in next season’s competition in the group stages following last Sunday’s draw. The pair have been paired together once again having both retained their provinicial titles this season. They will be joined by a trio of Ulster sides, the returning Armagh who reclaim a place after a year’s absence, along with

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-54953989449325345442010-05-17T02:19:00.000+01:002010-05-19T02:24:03.505+01:00

Leinster will have to make do with just four entrants in the 2010/11 Irish Hockey League as Old Alex were pipped in last weekend’s wildcard play-offs by Ballymoney and Catholic Institute. The Limerick side salvaged a draw on Friday night which proved key in the final reckoning despite Aoife Budd and Laura McCoy both rebounding at corner time to twice give Alex the lead. But Institute fought

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-78222253714564824922010-05-16T16:05:00.011+01:002010-05-19T01:43:09.741+01:00

Men's Irish Hockey League final Lisnagarvey 1 (Timmy Cockram) Pembroke 4 (Alan Sothern 3, Maurice Elliott) Alan Sothern’s hat-trick secured back-to-back Irish Hockey League titles for Pembroke as clinical precision and body on-the-line defending gave them an emphatic-looking final scoreline. For Lisnagarvey, they put it up to the national champions, earning nine corners which, had their routine

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-89322597281359342542010-05-16T13:33:00.009+01:002010-05-19T01:49:13.568+01:00

ESB Women’s Irish Hockey League final Railway Union 4 (Jean McDonnell 2, Nikki Evans, Kate Dillon ps) Cork Harlequins 0 Railway Union enjoyed their biggest day in their 106 year history as they claimed their first outdoor national title in consummate style, showing a difference in class to end Cork Harlequins’ dreams of taking the club champion’s crown. Jean McDonnell’s first half double laid

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-78596039580709191252010-05-16T03:31:00.001+01:002010-05-16T03:31:25.712+01:00

Men's IHL semi-finals Lisnagarvey 6 (Mark Daniel 2, Timmy Cockram 2, Mark Raphael, Stephen Hunter) Corinthian 5 (Darren Kimfley, Brian Doherty 2, Lucas Piccioli, Andrew Cronje ps) after silver goal extra-time On a day of high drama, Lisnagarvey and Corinthian’s tie probably topped the lot with a fixture devoid of some of the earlier controversies while there easily could have been more than the

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-45898786576597599322010-05-16T03:22:00.001+01:002010-05-16T03:53:45.127+01:00

Men's IHL semi-finals Pembroke 5 (Alan Sothern 2, Alan Giles, Mick O’Connor, Conor Harte) Glenanne 4 (Stephen Butler 2, Shane O’Donoghue, Jonathan Kane) after silver-goal extra-time Where to start! Pure madness all round as Pembroke rallied after giving up a four goal lead for Conor Harte to sweep home an angrily contested winner in the first of the men’s semi-finals. Major incidents abounded in

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-47371809599911356282010-05-16T03:09:00.003+01:002010-05-16T03:13:50.180+01:00

ESB IHL semi-final: Pegasus 2 (Suzanne Beaney 2) Cork Harlequins 3 (Hilary Chapple, Antonia McGrath, Cliodhna Sargent) after silver-goal extra-time Cork Harlequins ended their Pegasus’ hoodoo in dramatic fashion, twice using penalty corner overtime to progress to their first national final since 2003 and ensured a new name will be on the club champion’s trophy. Cliodhna Sargent battered home a

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-38725262501747674572010-05-16T03:04:00.002+01:002010-05-16T03:39:46.673+01:00

ESB IHL semi-finals - Hermes 2 (Chloe Watkins 2, one ps) Railway Union 2 (Cecelia Joyce, Kate Dillon ps); Railway win 3-2 on penalties On what will go down as one of the most memorable days in Irish club hockey history, jammed with incident, controversy, four extra-time deciders and a whole world of talking points, Railway Union were the first side to confirm their place in Sunday’s finals. In

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-85148853861963797072010-05-14T16:29:00.001+01:002010-05-15T11:25:56.382+01:00

Given the history between Glenanne and Pembroke in the last 15 years, it is perhaps fitting that Stephen Butler – the Ireland record caps and goalscoring holder – gets one last shot at his club’s arch-rivals before sailing to shores anew. The two face off on Saturday afternoon in the semi-final, a stage earlier than last year, with the Glens looking to hold a few extra pre-game aces in their

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-19935872661957408172010-05-14T15:51:00.000+01:002010-05-14T15:51:13.556+01:00

All four ESB women’s IHL semi-finalists have reported clean bills of health as a fascinating weekend starts with a bang tomorrow morning when Railway Union face Hermes for the seventh time in all competitions this season. Railway have just one absentee from last Sunday’s Irish Senior Cup final penalties defeat, Hannah de Burgh-Whyte is exam-tied. Speaking about that setback, though, Isobel Joyce

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-13758437840220007242010-05-14T15:08:00.000+01:002010-05-14T15:08:09.481+01:00

Old Alex bid to retain their place in the IHL via the playoff route gets underway this evening at Grange Road as they battle it out with Munster’s third ranked side, Catholic Institute. Both sides are bolstered by returning stars. Alex welcome back Roisin Flinn following her WCQ travels while Institute have Irish captain Eimear Cregan – a mid-season transfer from Cork Harlequins – available for

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147439334930274041.post-23023097643035284302010-05-14T11:19:00.000+01:002010-05-15T11:24:33.842+01:00

A year ago, Johnny Gray was playing at Grange Road in what might have been his swansong, thoughts of retirement abounding after a tough season with Lisnagarvey had just yielded an IHL wildcard place. Fast-forward a year and the 34 year-old is a club player-of-the-year nominee and is already committed to giving at least one more year – along with former Irish internationals Mark Raphael and Brian

Stephen Findlaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12118625126159007197noreply@blogger.com0