The Men's Irish Hockey League is a field hockey league organised by Hockey Ireland that features men's teams from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The league was first played for during the 2008–09 season. It replaced the All-Ireland Club Championships as the top level men's field hockey competition in Ireland. Since 2015–16 the league has been sponsored by Ernst & Young and, as a result, it is also known as the EY Hockey League.

Men's Irish Hockey League
First season2008–09
AdministratorHockey Ireland
No. of teams10 (Division 1)
10 (Division 2)
Country Republic of Ireland
 Northern Ireland
ConfederationEHF (Europe)
Most recent
champion(s)
Lisnagarvey
Most titlesLisnagarvey (3 titles)
Monkstown (3 titles)
Level on pyramid1 and 2
Relegation toSenior provincial leagues
Domestic cup(s)Irish Senior Cup
International cup(s)Euro Hockey League
EuroHockey Club Trophy
Official websitewww.hockey.ie

History

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2022–23 Men's Irish Hockey League Division 1

Format

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The league was first played for during the 2008–09 season.[1] Between 2008–09 and 2014–15 the league used pool stages and play-offs to determine the league champion. Teams were divides into two pools with the winners and runners-up in each pool then qualifying for the semi-finals. The league title was then decided by a final. Teams continued to play in their respective provincial leagues and qualified for the next season's national league via their position in the provincial league. However for the 2015–16 season the league was reorganised. The pool stages were abandoned and replaced with a full league programme consisting of 18 rounds of home and away matches. In addition the play-offs were effectively replaced by a new competition, the EY Champions Trophy. Furthermore the clubs no longer entered their senior teams in provincial leagues.[2]

Graham Shaw guided Monkstown to three successive league titles in 2012–13, 2013–14 and 2014–15.[3][4][5] In 2017–18 Glenanne won the league title for the first time. They secured the title after defeating Lisnagarvey 4–2. Glenanne were 2–0 down before Shane O'Donoghue scored a hat-trick.[6][7][8][9]

Division 2

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The 2018–19 season saw the introduction of a Division 2. The new division revived the original format of the league. It uses pool stages and play-offs to determine the Division 2 champion and which teams get promoted to Division 1. Division 2 teams will continue to play in their respective provincial leagues.[10][11][12]

2022–23 teams

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Division 1

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Team Home town/suburb Home pitch
Annadale Belfast Strathearn School
Banbridge Banbridge Havelock Park
Cookstown Cookstown Cookstown High School
Glenanne Tallaght St. Andrew's College
Instonians Belfast Shawsbridge Sports Complex
Lisnagarvey Hillsborough, County Down Comber Road
Monkstown Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Merrion Fleet Arena
Pembroke Wanderers Sandymount Serpentine Avenue
Three Rock Rovers Rathfarnham Grange Road
YMCA Ballinteer Wesley College

Source:[13]

Division 2

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Pool A
Team Home town/suburb Home pitch
Corinthian Rathfarnham St Columba's College, Dublin
Cork Church of Ireland Cork Garryduff
Cork Harlequins Cork Harlequin Park
Queen's University Queen's University Belfast The Dub
Railway Union Sandymount Park Avenue
Pool B
Team Home town/suburb Home pitch
Avoca Blackrock Newpark Comprehensive School
Bandon Bandon Bandon Grammar School
Kilkeel Kilkeel Kilkeel High School
South Antrim Lisburn Friends' School, Lisburn
UCD Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown UCD Sports Centre


Source:[11][12]

Winners

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Season Winners Score Runners Up
2008–09 Pembroke Wanderers[14] [note 1] Glenanne
2009–10 Pembroke Wanderers[15][16] 4–1 Lisnagarvey
2010–11 Banbridge[17][18] 2–2 [note 2] Lisnagarvey
2011–12 Lisnagarvey[19][20] 3–1 YMCA (Dublin)
2012–13 Monkstown[21] Banbridge
2013–14 Monkstown[22][23][24][25] 2–1 Banbridge
2014–15 Monkstown[26] 2–1 Banbridge
2015–16 Lisnagarvey[27] n/a
2016–17 Banbridge[28] n/a
2017–18 Glenanne[7][8][9] n/a Three Rock Rovers[29]
2018–19 Lisnagarvey n/a Three Rock Rovers
2019–20 [note 3][30]
2020–21 [note 4]
2021–22 Lisnagarvey[31] n/a Three Rock Rovers
2022–23 Banbridge[32] n/a
2023–24 Banbridge[33] n/a
Notes
  1. ^ Pembroke Wanderers win 2–1 after shoot-out.
  2. ^ Banbridge win after shoot-out.
  3. ^ 2019–20 declared null and void. Season abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
  4. ^ Season not played due to COVID-19 pandemic

Source:[34]

EY Champions Trophy

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In addition to introducing a new format, the 2015–16 season also saw the introduction of the EY Champions Trophy. The top three placed teams from the league and/or the winners of the Irish Senior Cup all qualify for the end of season competition.[2] The winners of the EY Champions Trophy qualify to represent Ireland in the Euro Hockey League.[35]

Year Winners Score Runners Up
2015-16 Lisnagarvey[27][35] 3–1 Banbridge
2016-17 Three Rock Rovers[36][37] 2–1 Monkstown
2017-18 Three Rock Rovers[38] 2–1 Glenanne
2018-19 Three Rock Rovers[39][40] 2–0 Lisnagarvey
2019-20 not played
2020-21 not played
2021-22 Lisnagarvey[41] 2–2 Garvey won shoot-out 3-1 Banbridge
2022-23 Banbridge[42] 3–1 Lisnagarvey
2023-24 Banbridge[43] 2–1 Lisnagarvey

Source:[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Irish Hockey League dates confirmed". www.hookhockey.com. 25 August 2008. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b "EY Hockey League to continue to raise standards on club and international stage". www.ey.com. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  3. ^ "The Kieran Shannon Interview: Irish Women's Hockey coach Graham Shaw". www.irishexaminer.com. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Graham Shaw". ie.linkedin.com. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Graham Shaw". www.hockey.ie. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Glenanne celebrates 75 years". www.echo.ie. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Irish Hockey League: Glenanne beat Lisnagarvey to clinch title". www.bbc.co.uk. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Glenanne Win EY Hockey League". www.hockey.ie. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  9. ^ a b "O'Donoghue hat-trick seals title for Glenanne". www.rte.ie. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Division Two of Irish Hockey League to be launched in 2018/19". www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  11. ^ a b "IHL2 groups and season's schedule laid out for 2018/19". www.hookhockey.com. 7 July 2018. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ a b "Men's EYHL2 hits the turf for the first time". www.hookhockey.com. 12 October 2018. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ "The season starts here: Men's EY Hockey League preview". www.hookhockey.com. 21 September 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ "Men take 2009 IHL crown". www.pembrokewanderers.ie. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  15. ^ "Sothern triple brings back-to-back glory". www.hookhockey.com. 16 May 2010. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^ "Men's Irish Hockey League Final Pembroke Wanderers vs Lisnagarvey". inpho.ie. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Banbridge take IHL title, Pembroke ousted by 'Garvey in semi's". www.pembrokewanderers.ie. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  18. ^ "Irish Hockey League crowns champions". www.fih.ch. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Lisnagarvey secure Irish crown". www.bbc.co.uk. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Third time lucky for super Garvey". www.lisburntoday.co.uk. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Monkstown v Banbridge - Irish Hockey League Men's Final Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Monkstown win Irish Hockey League title". ehlhockey.tv. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Caruth double ends Banbridge hopes as Monkstown claim title". www.newsletter.co.uk. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  24. ^ "Caruth on the double for Monkstown". dublingazette.com. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  25. ^ "Banbridge v Monkstown - Irish Senior Men's Hockey League Final Photos". www.sportsfile.com. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  26. ^ "Monkstown win third Irish title in succession". ehlhockey.tv. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Reception held to honour champions Lisnagarvey HC". www.lisburntoday.co.uk. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  28. ^ "Banbridge Win EY Hockey League". www.hockey.ie. 23 April 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Three Rock Rovers – Men's EY Hockey League preview". www.hookhockey.com. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  30. ^ Hockey Ireland Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE No. 4 – 9 April 2020
  31. ^ Hockey Ireland
  32. ^ Hockey Ireland
  33. ^ Hockey Ireland
  34. ^ a b "EYHL - About". www.hockey.ie. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  35. ^ a b "Lisnagarvey defeat Banbridge to lift inaugural Champions Trophy". www.newsletter.co.uk. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  36. ^ "Three Rock Rovers Win EY Champions Trophy". www.hockey.ie. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  37. ^ "Darling delights Rovers to land EY Champions Trophy title". www.hookhockey.com. 30 April 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  38. ^ "Hosking pounces as Rovers retain EY Champions Trophy with yet more last minute drama". www.hookhockey.com. 6 May 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ^ "Three Rock Rovers retain EY Champions Trophy". www.irishtimes.com. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  40. ^ "Rovers winning streak continues with third successive EY Champs Trophy". www.hookhockey.com. 5 May 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ^ Hockey Ireland
  42. ^ Hockey Ireland
  43. ^ Hockey Ireland