Field hockey in Ireland boasts a rich and storied past, marked by significant milestones and passionate participation. From the establishment of governing bodies to achievements in international competitions, the sport has evolved into an integral part of Ireland's sporting culture.
Alexandra College hockey team in 1911
Governing Bodies and Key Organizations
Hockey Ireland, previously known as the Irish Hockey Association, serves as the governing body for field hockey in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is responsible for organising both the Ireland men's national field hockey team and the Ireland women's national field hockey team, as well as national leagues and cup competitions.
Hockey Ireland is mainly funded through grants as well as small contributions from Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland. In 2013 Hockey Ireland became a limited company.
The two unions merged in May 2000 to form the Irish Hockey Association.
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Early History and Milestones
The Irish Hockey Union was founded on 6 February 1893. The Irish Ladies Hockey Union was established in 1894, following a meeting at Alexandra College.
The men's Irish Senior Cup was first played for in 1893-94, making it the oldest field hockey cup competition in the world. The men's Irish Junior Cup was first played for in 1894-95.
On 26 January 1895 the Ireland men's national field hockey team played in the first ever international field hockey match when they defeated Wales 3-0 in Rhyl. In March 1896 they hosted the first ever women's international field hockey match when the Ireland women's national field hockey team defeated England 2-0 at Alexandra College.
In 1895 Ireland also played England for the first time. This was also England's first ever international field hockey match. England's first four international matches, in 1895, 1896, 1897 and 1898, were all against Ireland.
By the start of the First World War, Ireland had played 55 international matches, mostly against Wales, England or Scotland. This saw 605 individuals represent Ireland, at least 164 of whom were brothers. Amongst the most notable set of brothers were the Petersons, including Jack and Walter.
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In 1904 the Peterson brothers were members of the Ireland team that won the Triple Crown. Ireland won the title after defeating Wales 4-2 away and England 3-2 at home.
As well as Jack and Walter, the team also included their brothers Nicholas, William and Cecil. Another brother, Herbert made two Ireland appearances between 1900 and 1902.
Ireland joined the International Hockey Federation in 1950.
Olympic Games
In 1908, with a team that included Jack and Walter Peterson, Ireland played in the very first Olympic field hockey tournament. After defeating Wales 3-1 in the semi-final, they lost 8-1 to England in the final. Ireland were finalists and silver medallists at the 1908 Summer Olympics. The Ireland team was part of the Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics team. Because of this, the silver medal won by Ireland is credited to Great Britain and not Ireland.
Ireland would have to wait 108 years before competing in their next Olympic tournament. In 1980 Ireland were invited to enter the tournament after a number of teams dropped out following the boycott. However the offer was turned down by the Irish Hockey Union due to the short notice. Shortly after it was proposed that Ireland apply to enter in 1984. However following a meeting on 16 May 1980 it was rejected due to opposition from the Ulster Branch.
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Ireland have qualified for the 2020 summer olympics Olympic Games.
Men's National Team in International Competitions
The Ireland men's national field hockey team is organised by Hockey Ireland and represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in international men's field hockey competitions, including the Men's Hockey World Cup and the EuroHockey Nations Championship. They have previously competed in the Men's Intercontinental Cup, the Hockey Champions Challenge, the Men's FIH Hockey World League and the FIH Hockey Series. The team also competes at the Summer Olympics, though it officially only represents the Republic of Ireland then (using the Republic's flag and national anthem), while still selecting players from the entire island.
Ireland qualified for the 1978 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing as runners-up at the 1977 Men's Intercontinental Cup.
With a team that included Jimmy Kirkwood, Stephen Martin, Billy McConnell and Martin Sloan, Ireland qualified for the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup after finishing fifth at the 1989 Men's Intercontinental Cup.
After finishing ninth in the 1993 Men's Intercontinental Cup, Ireland were relegated to the 1996 Inter Nations Cup. Between 2009 and 2014 Ireland competed in the Hockey Champions Challenge. They initially played in the second level tournament. Between 2012 and 2017 Ireland played in the Men's FIH Hockey World League.
Ireland have played regularly in the EuroHockey Nations Championship. With a team that included Harry Cahill and David Judge, Ireland competed in the inaugural 1970 tournament. Ireland hosted the 1995 tournament. After finishing ninth in 2003, Ireland were relegated to the 2005 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy. Between 1977 and 2006 Ireland played regularly in the Men's Intercontinental Cup.
Irish Men's Hockey Team Rio 2016
Women's National Team in International Competitions
The Ireland women's national field hockey team is organised by Hockey Ireland and represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in international women's field hockey competitions, including the Women's Hockey World Cup and the Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship. They have previously competed in the Women's Intercontinental Cup, the Women's Hockey Champions Challenge, Women's FIH Hockey World League and the Women's FIH Hockey Series.
On 2 March 1896, Ireland played England in the first ever women's international field hockey match. The Irish Ladies Hockey Union was established in 1894.
They were invited to enter the inaugural 1980 tournament but did not participate because of the boycott. Between 1991 and 2012 Ireland competed in Olympic qualifiers. In 2012 they reached the final of a qualifying tournament but lost 4-1 to Belgium.
Ireland attempted to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics via the 2014-15 Women's FIH Hockey World League.
Ireland have played in five Women's Hockey World Cups, making their debut in 1986. Ireland were finalists and silver medallists at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup.
In their second pool game against India, Anna O'Flanagan's goal secured a 1-0 win for Ireland and a place in the quarter-finals. Ireland lost their third pool game against England. However, after winning their first two games, they had already qualified for the knockout stages.
The quarter-final against India finished 0-0 but Roisin Upton, Alison Meeke and Chloe Watkins were all on target as Ireland won the penalty shoot-out 3-1. Ireland coach Graham Shaw hailed Ayeisha McFerran's performance in the penalty shoot-out after she saved three out of the four India penalty strokes.
In the semi-final against Spain, O'Flanagan scored her second goal before Spain equalised and the game finished 1-1. In the subsequent penalty shoot-out, Ireland won 3-2, with Gillian Pinder scoring twice and McFerran again saving three penalty strokes.
Despite losing the final 6-0 to the Netherlands, Ireland were acclaimed for their overall performance in the tournament. They had begun the tournament as underdogs, the second lowest seed. They were ranked 15th out of sixteen teams taking part. Their team was made up of part-timers and amateurs while in the final they played a team of full-time professionals.
Following their appearance in the World Cup final, Ireland moved up to a best ever eighth position in the FIH World Rankings.
Ireland competed in every Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship between 1984 and 2013.
Between 1983 and 2006 Ireland played regularly in the Women's Intercontinental Cup. Ireland qualified for the 1986 Women's Hockey World Cup after winning the 1983 Women's Intercontinental Cup. The team was captained by Margaret Gleghorne and also included Mary Geaney.
Ireland qualified for the 2002 Women's Hockey World Cup after finishing 5th in the 2001 Women's Intercontinental Cup in controversial circumstances. Ireland played Lithuania in a fifth to eighth place classification match. The match finished 2-2 and Lithuania won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 6-5. However Ireland captain, Rachel Kohler, spotted that the penalty strokes were being taken in the wrong order. She was initially ignored by the match officials, but Ireland appealed and the tournament director ruled the shoot-out should be replayed the next day. However Lithuania refused to take part and withdrew from the tournament.
Ireland went on to defeat Scotland 2-1 in the fifth place play-off and were initially confirmed as the final qualifier from the tournament. Before the match the Lithuania team staged a sit down protest on the pitch. Lithuania lodged a further appeal to the FIH who then ordered that Ireland, Lithuania, India and the United States take part in a second qualification tournament. Lithuania were due to play India in a seventh and eighth place play-off before they withdrew.
Between 2012 and 2017 Ireland competed in the Women's FIH Hockey World League. In March 2015 they won a Round 2 tournament hosted in Dublin, defeating Canada in the final after a penalty shoot-out.
Ireland attempted to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics via the 2014-15 Women's FIH Hockey World League.
Key Achievements
Here's a summary of Ireland's key achievements in field hockey:
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| Men's Team: First ever international field hockey match | 1895 |
| Men's Team: Olympic Silver Medal | 1908 |
| Women's Team: First ever women's international field hockey match | 1896 |
| Women's Team: World Cup Silver Medal | 2018 |
