International Tournament
Irish complete group stage unbeaten to set up USA date; India smash Azerbaijan
June 21, 2011 | 367 views | Comments (3)Saba Anjum’s first half hat-trick inspired her Indian side to a comfortable victory over Azerbaijan, a result which means Ireland top Group B and will play at 5.30pm in Thursday’s quarter-final against UCD.
Coetzee surpasses world record with stunning quartet; Kidd secures second for the Scots
June 21, 2011 | 309 views | Comments (1)South Africa’s Pietee Coetzee smashed the world goal-scoring record with four fine goals at Belfield, playing the starring role in an amazing 5-5 draw with USA; SA top the group with Scotland, still unbeaten, taking second spot
Irish draw satisfaction from morale boosters
June 21, 2011 | 343 views | Leave a commentWhile back-to-back FIH Champion’s Challenge wins may prove academic, Irish manager Sally-Ann Fanagan believes the psychological boon garnered from games against India and Azerbaijan will be the real bonus.
Second quarter magic sees Ireland beat China
June 20, 2011 | 474 views | Comments (3)The feel-good factor for Irish hockey continued as the men extended their unbeaten run to eight games in 2011 – and a fourth win in four days – as they produced four scintillating goals to beat China on day one of the UCD 4 Nations Cup
Men take the stage for UCD Nations Cup
June 20, 2011 | 305 views | Comments (5)After eight women’s FIH Champion’s Challenge games, the men take centre-stage at Belfield tonight as the UCD 4 Nations makes its debut; streaming and live updates to be posted
Celtic rivals swept aside by young Irish men
June 19, 2011 | 333 views | Comments (5)Ireland retained the Celtic Cup in Cardiff this afternoon with a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Welsh hosts, making it 11 goals in two games for a supposedly under-strength Irish side.
Granite replaces grace but outcome the same as Ireland win 2-1 again
June 19, 2011 | 462 views | Leave a commentIn stark contrast to Saturday’s stylish win, Ireland showed they have the grit to grind out a result, battling well against an Azerbaijan side intent on making life uncomfortable; Spain and India draw to see Irish top
Irish line up Azerbaijan on CC day two
June 19, 2011 | 245 views | Leave a commentIreland aim to back up their debut day victory over India when they face a tough encounter against an impressive Azerbaijan side (3.30pm); day two preview and more options to follow the tournament live
Blakeney fires magnificent Celtic seven
June 18, 2011 | 327 views | Leave a commentPeter Blakeney’s four star performance helped Ireland roll over an under-strength France in some style in Cardiff with plenty to spare, moving them close to retaining the Celtic Cup; Ireland also faced Pakistan in a close tie
Irish beguile Indians at Champs Challenge
June 18, 2011 | 357 views | Comments (3)Chloe Watkins’ beautiful goal – from conception to finish – proved the winner for Ireland as they picked off a notable win in fine fashion, getting their FIH Champions Challenge I campaign off to a dream start.
Japan begin Challenge with edgy win; South Africa come back from the depth
June 18, 2011 | 272 views | Leave a commentTop seeds Japan produced a resolute performance to hold the US at bay and start the FIH Champion’s Challenge with a high tempo win at Belfield while South Africa came from 2-0 down to tie with Scotland
McConnell steals last gasp win; Hobbs returns
June 17, 2011 | 456 views | Leave a commentAndy McConnell struck in the final ten seconds to turn a forgettable game into a memorable win for an inexperienced Irish side over Scotland. The Irish were bolstered by a surprise return for David Hobbs in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Speers excited over captaincy duties
June 17, 2011 | 301 views | Leave a commentNew Irish skipper Alex Speers says she cannot wait to experience her first world ranking tournament as captain since taking over the role full-time from Eimear Cregan.
Muller pin-points turning point for Irish women
June 16, 2011 | 297 views | Comments (1)A year on from an ill-fated battle with India, Gene Muller is excited about the prospect of getting one back on the Asian side this Saturday in Ireland’s Champion’s Challenge I opener.
Revington names two distinct Irish panels
June 13, 2011 | 315 views | Comments (4)Paul Revington has named what looks ostensibly to be a squad of probables and one of possibles for the back-to-back tournaments coming up this week as the build-up to August’s European championships heightens.
Symmons and Daly return for Irish Challenge
June 8, 2011 | 752 views | Comments (8)Loreto’s Nikki Symmons and Nicci Daly are the two returnees to the Irish team following head coach Gene Muller’s announcement of the 18-player panel for next week’s Champion’s Challenge; the Irish U-18 panel was also release today
Euro dream in sight for buzzing Watkins
June 8, 2011 | 497 views | Comments (6)While it was a ground-breaking year for Monkstown, skipper Gareth Watkins has already set his sights on new horizons as he, along with a growing club contingent, aims to bed himself into the men’s senior Irish squad.
Kidd keeps Scottish and Celtic hoodoo intact
June 5, 2011 | 258 views | Leave a commentNicky Kidd’s low drag-flick five minutes from time meant Ireland’s wait for the Celtic Cup will continue into a sixth year as Scotland picked off a 1-0 victory and the title in Largs.
Harvey powers five-star Wales whitewash
June 4, 2011 | 242 views | Leave a commentIreland set up a Celtic Cup title showdown with Scotland as they swept to a comfortable 5-0 victory over Wales this afternoon in Largs.
Men and women to face world champs
June 1, 2011 | 298 views | Leave a commentThe IHA today confirmed Ireland’s men will play in a Five Nations tournament featuring world number ones Australia as well as Korea (currently sixth in the world) as part of their European championships build-up.