This weekend, Cork becomes the home of Irish youth hockey as Munster hosts the Hockey Ireland Interprovincial Series 2025 at the Garryduff Sports Grounds. With the best young talent from across the country on show, the stage is set for three days of elite competition.

The Interprovincials are a cornerstone of the domestic hockey calendar, offering a vital pathway for young athletes aspiring to represent Ireland on the international stage.  Despite some strong performances from Munster sides in recent times, these Irish squads have largely been dominated by Leinster and Ulster athletes.  This weekend, with home advantage, Munster will be hoping to propel a few more athletes to that next level.

Munster Branch President Nicky Stokes has said “We’re thrilled to be hosting. It’s a chance for our players to perform in front of family and friends, and for the wider community to see the incredible standard of youth hockey in Ireland.  We would like to acknowledge the work that has gone on in the background too from members of the Munster Branch and beyond. It promises to be a fantastic weekend”.

The tournament kicks off Friday afternoon with Munster’s U16 and U18 teams facing Leinster South, followed by a high-stakes clash with Ulster later that evening. Saturday and Sunday bring a full slate of matches, culminating in a prize-giving ceremony on the main pitch where individual awards will honour standout performances in technical excellence, athleticism, and leadership.

Full Fixture List – Interprovincial Series 2025 (Girls)

Friday, 5th September:

14:00 – U16: Munster vs Leinster South; 14:30 – U18: Munster vs Leinster South; 16:00 – U16: Leinster vs Connacht; 16:30 – U18: Leinster vs Connacht; 18:00 – U16: Munster vs Ulster; 18:30 – U18: Munster vs Ulster.

Saturday, 6th September:

10:00 – U16: Leinster vs Leinster South; 10:30 – U18: Leinster vs Leinster South; 12:00 – U16: Connacht vs Ulster; 12:30 – U18: Connacht vs Ulster; 14:00 – U16: Munster vs Leinster; 14:30 – U18: Munster vs Leinster; 16:00 – U16: Leinster South vs Connacht; 16:30 – U18: Leinster South vs Connacht.

Sunday, 7th September

10:00 – U16: Ulster vs Leinster; 10:30 – U18: Ulster vs Leinster; 12:00 – U16: Munster vs Connacht; 12:30 – U18: Munster vs Connacht; 15:00 – U16: Ulster vs Leinster South; 15:30 – U18: Ulster vs Leinster South.

Munster U16 Girls Squad: Katie Burke (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Eva Dullea (Cork Harlequins HC / Mount Mercy College), Tessa Dwyer (Cork Harlequins HC / Midleton College), Sydney Forde (Cork Harlequins HC / Mount Mercy College), Rosa Harrington (N/A / Crescent College), Michaela Jones (Waterford HC / Newtown School), Caoilinn Lane (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College), Ellie MacMahon (Crescent HC / Crescent College), Emma McDonald (Carlow HC / Ursuline Thurles), Gabrielle Morrissey (Cashel New Inn HC / Ursuline Thurles), Sophia Neville (Limerick HC / Laurel Hill Coláiste), Lucy O’Brien (Cork Harlequins HC / Regina Mundi), Leah O’Connell (Cashel New Inn HC / Ursuline Thurles), Aiveen O’Donoghue (Waterford HC / St Angela’s), Roisin Riordan (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College), Alannah Robertson (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College), Arabelle Sheahan (Ashton HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Sarah Spain (Cashel New Inn HC / Ursuline Thurles), Charlotte Bergin (Cashel New Inn HC / Rockwell College), Neala McDonagh (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College)

Munster U18 Girls Squad: Anna Rose Benson (Catholic Institute HC / Laurel Hill Coláiste), Susanna Burke (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Lily Burke (Waterford HC / St Augustine’s College), Kate Collins (Bandon HC / Bandon Grammar), Saoirse Gaffney (Crescent HC / Laurel Hill Coláiste), Emma Grace (Cork Harlequins HC / Bandon Grammar), Isabelle Healy (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Kyah Kelly (Waterford HC / Newtown School), Jenny Murphy (Ashton HC / St Angela’s Secondary), Katie Notely (Waterford HC / Newtown School), Rebecca O’Connell (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Grace O’Dwyer (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College), Julie O’Farrell (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Ella O’Shaughnessy (Ashton HC / St Angela’s Secondary), Emily Reddan (Catholic Institute HC / Laurel Hill Secondary FCJ), Alicia Reddan (Crescent HC / Crescent College), Ada Ryan (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College), Catherine Scully (Crescent HC / Crescent College), Katya Shorten (Nenagh HC / Ursuline Thurles), Rachel Sweetnam (Cork Harlequins HC / Midleton College)

We are seeking 3 volunteers to fill these positions for the 25/26 season. Without these roles being filled, the season will not commence. The key roles are:
1. Competitions Chairperson: leads the competitions committee in assisting to create and maintain fixtures and the integrity of the competitions we run. Represents the committee on the Munster Branch providing monthly updates.
2. U18 Girl’s Fixtures Secretary: sets up and maintains the fixtures for the U18 girls leagues and cup.
3. Women’s Registrar: works with the other registrars to maintain the integrity of the competitions.

If you are interested in any of these roles please contact secretary@munsterhockey.ie

Following completion of the 2024/25 season, the competition’s committee have structured the 2025/26 leagues. This is subject to change based on final team entries submitted by clubs during the off-season.

Any new teams will be entered in Division 7. To make Women’s Division 7 viable we will need 6 or 7 teams entered. Should there be no Division 7, the remaining teams will be placed in Division 6 with other teams being pushed up the league structure to make leagues as equal as possible in terms of quantity.

Women’s Div.1
Ashton
Bandon
Catholic Institute II
C.of.I
Crescent
Harlequins
U.C.C.
Waterford

Women’s Div.2
Ashton II
Belvedere
Blackrock
Clonakilty
Clonmel
Cork Wanderers
Harlequins II
U.C.C. II

Women’s Div.3
Ashton III
Bandon II
C.of.I II
Harlequins III
Limerick
Tipperary
U.C.C. III
U.C.C. IV

Women’s Div.4
Belvedere II
Cashel/New Inn
Clonmel II
Cork Wanderers II
Crescent II
Harlequins IV
Midleton
Waterford II

Women’s Div.5
Bandon III
Blackrock II
C.of.I III
Clonakilty II
Dungarvan
Dungarvan II
Harlequins V
Tipperary II

Women’s Div.6
Ashton IV
Blackrock III
C.of.I IV
C.of I V
Cork Wanderers III
Limerick II
Midleton II
Waterford III

Women’s Div.7
Ashton V
Belvedere III
Crescent III
Midleton III

*Men’s league structure is under review with forums to be held with the men’s clubs in the off-season*

In men’s EYHL 1 Lisnagarvey men now have a three point lead at the top of the table after two wins. They were made to work hard for the win on Saturday but pulled through with a 2-1 scoreline against YMCA. On Sunday they had a routine 7-2 win away to local rivals Annadale. Both Three Rock Rovers and Banbridge stayed within touching distance of the leaders. Three Rock blitzed Avoca 5-0, while Banbdrige left it late but won 3-2 over Pembroke.

C of I men secured second place in Pool A of EYHL 2 with a convincing 4-1 win over Railway Union. After a scoreless first half, both teams exchanged goals in the third quarter before C of I romped home with 3 goals in the final quarter to take the points.

In Pool B, another hat trick from Julian Dale – his seventh of the season – put Harlequins through to the playoffs too as they had an impressive 5-0 away win against Clontarf. Adam Young and Sam Dale were also on the scoresheet. This sets them up for a playoff game against Munster rivals Bandon.

In women’s EYHL 1 leaders Loreto scored late to deny Catholic Institute a precious point in their bid to make the top four. Yasmin Pratt got the crucial goal that kept them 2 points clear of local rivals Railway Union. At the other end of the table UCC’s relegation was confirmed as they lost narrowly 2-1 to Pemboke Wanderers.

In women’s EYHL 2 Ashton moved to fourth in pool B after a 2-2 draw with Lurgan. A diving finish from Emily O’Leary put Ashton one up just before the halftime break. Breana O’Gorman doubled the lead in the third quarter after a mix up in the Lurgan defence. However, Lurgan fought back in the final quarter grabbing two late goals before going close to a third.

Harlequins completed the perfect season in Munster Division 1 with a 2-1 win over Catholic Institute B to make it 12 wins in 12 games. They had to come from behind though with Joy Sampson scoring in the third and fourth quarter extending her lead at the top of the goal scoring charts in the process.

Crescent made to their second final this season as they overcame Bandon in a shootout in Bandon Grammar school. With the game ending 1-1 in normal time, Crescent won the run-ins 3-2 setting up a final against UCC B who beat Waterford 1-0.

Saturday 29th March 2025
Men – EYHL Division 1: Avoca 0 Three Rock Rovers 5; Banbridge 3 Pembroke Wanderers 2; Lisnagarvey 2 YMCA 1; University College Dublin 2 Annadale 3.
Men – EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Cork Church of Ireland 4 (D Ruddock, R Sweetnam, I Balding, T Gaffney) Railway Union 1; Kilkenny 1 Cookstown 5
Men – EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: Clontarf 0 Cork Harlequins 5 (J Dale 3, A Young, S Dale); Instonians 1 Portrane 3
Men – Munster Charity Cup – 1/2 Finals: Waterford 6 (I Johnson 2, H Earl, H Lima, H O’Shea, S Johnson) Cork Harlequins B 2 (H O’Byrne, C Bateman).
Women – EYHL Division 1: Ards 0 University College Dublin 2; Loreto 1 Catholic Institute 0; Old Alexandra 0 (BP) Ulster Elks 0; Pegasus 1 Railway Union 5; Pembroke Wanderers 2 University College Cork 1 (M Sanderson).
Women – EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Muckross 0 Monkstown 0.
Women – EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: Ashton 2 (E O’Leary, B O’Gorman) Lurgan 2; University of Galway 0 Queens University 3.
Women – Munster Division 1: Cork Harlequins 2 (J Sampson 2) Catholic Institute B 1 (E Higgins)
Women – Munster Examiner Cup – 1/2 Finals: Bandon 1 (V Burns) Crescent 1 (R O’Leary) (Crescent win 3-2 on shootout); Waterford 0 University College Cork B 1
Sunday 30th March
Men – EYHL1: Annadale 2 Lisnagarvey 7.

Kate Harvey got Ashton’s second goal but it wasn’t enough as Corinthians won 3-2. Photo Credit: Andrew Noonan

A point separates Banbridge and Three Rock Rovers at the top of men’s EYHL 1. Ban didn’t have it all their way away to Avoca but eventually pulled through to win 4-2. Three Rock had a more routine 5-0 win over UCD. Monkstown closed the gap on fourth placed YMCA with a 2-0 win against them.

In men’s EYHL 2 a duo of Julian Dale drag flicks was enough to take the points against Clontarf in a 2-1 win. However they have goalkeeper Iarlaith O’Neill to thank as he saved 2 penalty strokes to keep them in the tie early on.

C of I men conceded in the final seconds of the game away to Railway Union to draw 1-1. A Rob Olden drag flick had given C of I the lead at the end of the third quarter.

It was a fruitful double weekend for Bandon men. A brace from captain Fionn O’Leary set them on their way to a 3-1 win away to Waterford to put them a point clear at the top of Munster Division 1. On Sunday they followed it up with a thrilling 3-2 win over C of I in the Munster Senior Cup semi final. Despite going behind twice, they fought back twice and Mark Kingston got the winner with seconds remaining, when he reacted fastest when Sean Bateman had saved well from another Colin Kingston drag flick. They will play either Harlequins or Waterford in the final.

In women’s EYHL 1 Loreto and Railway Union both had 2-0 wins over Pegasus and Ards respectively as they remain the top 2 in the table. Ulster Elks moved to third with a 2-1 win over Catholic Institute. Meanwhile a late equaliser from Emma O’Sullivan gave UCC a point away to Old Alex to close the gap to 9th to six points.
Harlequins women took the points in Galway with a 2-0 win over Greenfields in EYHL 2. Despite a dominant first half Quins failed to convert their chances. However they didn’t have to wait long – two minutes into the second half, a Clíodhna Sargent pass was deflected by Alex Dale over the head of the Greenfields keeper and into the roof of the net. Quins continued to push forward and half way through the final quarter a short corner deflection from Michelle Barry was finished by Anne O’Farrell to secure the points.

Ashton women got off to a strong start against Corinthians putting Leinster’s league leaders under pressure. Despite this, Corinthians struck first with a smart finish. Ashton responded a minute later from a short corner, which was deflected home by Emily O’Leary. Corinthians responded strongly with 2 quick fire goals either side of half time. Ashton continued to pile on the pressure and converted through Kate Harvey on the stroke of 3/4 time. The final quarter was end to end but Corinthians managed to hold on to win 3-2.

Results
Saturday 8th of February
Men’s EYHL Division 1: Three Rock Rovers 5 University College Dublin 0; Avoca 2 Banbridge 4; Corinthians 1 Pembroke Wanderers 2; YMCA 0 Monkstown 2.
Men’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Railway Union 1 Church of Ireland 1 (R Olden); Cookstown 12 Kilkenny 1
Men’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: Portrane 3 Instonians 1; Cork Harlequins 2 (J Dale 2) Clontarf 1.
Men’s Munster Division 1: Waterford 1 (A O’Shea) Bandon 3 (F O’Leary 2, K Smith)
Women’s EYHL Division 1: University College Dublin 1 (BP) Pembroke Wanderers 1; Ulster Elks 2 Catholic Institute (R Begley); Old Alexandra 1 (BP) University College Cork 1 (E O’Sullivan); Loreto 2 Pegasus 0; Railway Union 2 Ards 0.
Women’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Greenfields 0 Cork Harlequins 2 (A Dale, A O’Farrell); Portadown 2 Monkstown 0.
Women’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: University of Galway 0 Lurgan 4; Ashton 2 (E O’Leary, K Harvey) Corinthians 3.
Women’s Munster Division 1: Catholic Institute B 2 (R Pratt, H O’Byrne) Bandon 1.
Women’s Munster Division 1 Cup – Semi-finals: Cork Church of Ireland 3 (C Dring 2, J Barry) Waterford 1 (K Maher)
Sunday 9th of February
Men’s Munster Senior Cup – Semi-final: Bandon 3 (M Kingston 2, C Kingston) Cork Church of Ireland 2 (I Balding, J Spillane).