The Hook - Leinster Hockey Blog

Monkstown to face Belgian and French opposition

Monkstown will meet Belgium’s third place finishers Daring and French runners-up Racing Club de France in round one of the rejigged Euro Hockey League in Barcelona with just one side to progress to round two.

Read full story - Monkstown to face Belgian and French opposition

Objective achieved but U-21 womens gold bid denied at the death

Mixed emotions for the Irish Under-21 women but, ultimately, primary objective achieved as they got the draw they needed to earn a top two spot in Vienna. Gold, though, was tantalisingly out of reach as they built a three-goal lead only to be pegged back by a last quarter Italian fightback.

Read full story - Objective achieved but U-21 womens gold bid denied at the death

Robust Ukraine frustrate Irish vanguard but promotion and gold still up for grabs

Ireland were unable to break down a resolute Ukraine defence but, nonetheless, nudged themselves a step closer to claiming promotion to the A division of Under-21 European hockey while, should they beat Italy tomorrow, the gold medal is still up for grabs.

Read full story - Robust Ukraine frustrate Irish vanguard but promotion and gold still up for grabs

Loughrey and Glassey strike dramatic late golden goals

Loughrey and Glassey strike dramatic late golden goals

The Irish U-21 men left it late but ultimately won gold at the EuroHockey Junior Championships II in Lousada, Portugal by beating Scotland 3-1 with two goals in the last two minutes.

Nine of the best push Ireland within a result of promotion

Nine of the best push Ireland within a result of promotion

Ireland's Under-21 men moved within a point of promotion to the top tier of European Junior hockey as they swept aside Italy 9-2 in Portugal.

#coach's review

Fresh-faced defence draw praise from Smith for swift improvement

Fresh-faced defence draw praise from Smith for swift improvement

Irish senior women's coach Darren Smith says that his fresh-faced defensive unit showed rapid improvement in their second battle of the week with New Zealand on Wednesday night as part of an encouraging week at the Electric Ireland Four Nations competition in Dublin.

#Logue appointment

Logue the new Genesis High Performance Director

Logue the new Genesis High Performance Director

Genesis have appointed Mary Logue as Performance Director for the upcoming season, a newly created position within the club.

#new coach

Denham steps into Loreto hot seat

Denham steps into Loreto hot seat

Loreto Hockey Club have announced the appointment of Niall Denham as head coach for their first eleven for the forthcoming season.

#taking positives

Black Sticks land title but Ireland’s ability to mix it a source of encouragement

Black Sticks land title but Ireland’s ability to mix it a source of encouragement

World number four side New Zealand always had the edge but there was plenty for Irish senior women's coach Darren Smith to be happy about in the performance in the Electric Ireland Four Nations final in Belfield.

Moreira equaliser earns battling hosts Irish draw

Moreira equaliser earns battling hosts Irish draw

With progression assured, Ireland's Under-21 men needed victory to get their promotion pool up and running with three points for a win but they came up against a feisty hosting Portugal side who snatched a late draw.

Beatty equaliser sees Ireland into promotion pool

Beatty equaliser sees Ireland into promotion pool

Coach David Passmore praised his side's ability to dig deep as Ireland twice came from behind to grab the draw they needed to progress to the winner's pool in the women's EuroHockey Junior Championships II and now have a two in three chance of promotion to the top tier.

Speers shoots Ireland to final rematch with Kiwis

Speers shoots Ireland to final rematch with Kiwis

Alex Speers' 58th minute goal assured Ireland of a place in tonight's final of the Electric Ireland Four Nations tournament in Belfield, eventually breaking down a robust Chilean defence to win 1-0.

Early setback fails to throw Irish U-21 men as final four progress assured

Early setback fails to throw Irish U-21 men as final four progress assured

Ireland's Under-21 men are through to play in the final four promotion group in Lousada, Portugal as they bounced back from a sticky first half to run out big winners for the second day running.

#seventh heaven

Brown’s hat trick puts Ireland in seventh heaven

Brown’s hat trick puts Ireland in seventh heaven

Chloe Brown's hat trick has put Ireland in a strong position to progress to the promotion pool as they eventually broke down a defensive-minded Lithuania in their opening European tie in Vienna.

#russian roulette

Burns’ double underpins assured start to U-21 Euros

Burns’ double underpins assured start to U-21 Euros

Nick Burns led from the front as his pair of penalty corner goals saw Ireland's Under-21 men start their European championship campaign in flying form with a 5-2 win over Russia in Lousada, Portugal.

Pinner keeps Ireland out in dramatic London Cup final penalty display

Pinner keeps Ireland out in dramatic London Cup final penalty display

England's coolness in the penalty shoot-out saved them from a second defeat to Ireland in eight days as they prevailed 4-2 in the London Cup final at the Olympic legacy park after normal time had ended locked at 2-2

Final quarter goals see Ireland bounce back strong

Final quarter goals see Ireland bounce back strong

Four goals in the closing 16 minutes saw Ireland's women belatedly find their scoring sticks to put Canada to the sword at Belfield, winning 5-0 to bounce back quickly from Saturday's humbling 9-2 loss to world number four side New Zealand.

#black Saturday

Black Sticks show of speed too much for Ireland

Black Sticks show of speed too much for Ireland

New Zealand humbled Ireland's women on day one of the Electric Ireland Four Nations Cup in Belfield this afternoon, the world number fours showing the sharpness that makes them one of the key contenders for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Four star England see off Ireland but Investec Cup final awaits

Four star England see off Ireland but Investec Cup final awaits

England put Ireland to the sword in a dress rehearsal for tomorrow's final of the Investec Cup in London as goals from Barry Middleton, Alastair Brogdon, Harry Martin and Henry Weir’s second international goal did the damage whilst Ronan Gormley pulled one back for the Green Machine.

#comeback

Cockram’s last minute goal salvages draw with Scots

Cockram’s last minute goal salvages draw with Scots

Timmy Cockram's goal 30 seconds from full time salvaged a draw for Ireland's men against Scotland at the Investec London Cup this evening, keeping them in good shape to reach Sunday's final.

Sothern double catches out South Africa

Sothern double catches out South Africa

A brace from Alan Sothern helped to give Ireland a 4-2 win over South Africa, a side ranked four places above them in the world; match report and interview with Alan Sothern from the excellent English website The Top of the D

Four senior panelists in Irish Under-21 Euro squad as tournament takes new shape

Four senior panelists in Irish Under-21 Euro squad as tournament takes new shape

Darren Smith has given his four Under-21 players leave to take part in the European championships rather than take part in this week's eye-catching Four Nations tournament in Belfield.

Irish men London-bound for Investec Cup

Irish men London-bound for Investec Cup

Ireland's men head to London in good spirits for the Investec London Cup as they take on South Africa, Scotland and hosts England in the Olympic Park from Wednesday through to Saturday in the round-robin with the top two teams playing off in a final on Sunday.

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