Club Competition Rules 2023/24

Competition Rules 2023-24 PDF

Club Competition Rules 2023/24

1. Registrations & Nominations

1.1 A player is to be registered with the relevant Registrar at least 48 hours before he/she plays a league match with a club, provided that there has been no breach of Rule 2 – Transfer of Players. This is done by informing the relevant Registrar in writing of the name of the player(s) and the age grade that they fall under (e.g. U.14, U.16, U.18 or Senior). Goalkeepers are to be indicated as “GK” on the list(s) submitted to the Registrars.

1.2 Each season, clubs shall forward to the relevant Registrar, to arrive no later than 3 days before the commencement of the relevant league competition, a list of the full names of 11 bona fide playing members of each team, called nominated players. Goalkeepers are to be indicated as “GK” on the list(s) submitted to the Registrars.

(a)         Clubs need not nominate players for their lowest registered team except where a club has a team in the U.18 and/or U.16 Girls League.

(b)         Where a club has more than one team in the U.16 Girls League 11 players for each team must be nominated, except for the lowest team. Players cannot play lower than their nominated team.

(c)          U.18 are those born in 2006 or later. U.16 are those born in 2008 or later.

(d)         Boys and Girls may not play Senior Hockey until they reach their 15th birthday.

• Players nominated on a given team shall be ineligible to play for a lower team.
• Where a player plays 3 games at a certain level, they must be nominated at no more than the next lowest level.
• Any player nominated on teams in Women’s Divisions 1-6 cannot play in the U.18 and U.16 Girls League.
• Where an U.18 and U.16 player plays 3 games at a certain level, they must be nominated at no more than the next lowest level i.e. a club has 4 senior teams + 1 U.18 team + 1 16 team – if the U.16 player plays 3 matches for that club’s 3rd team they need to be nominated at no lower than the 4th team which would then make that player ineligible to continue playing with the U.16 or U.18 team.
• Aside from Rule 1.3(a), no player that plays in the Boys Senior League may be nominated to a Senior team.
• A team may use only one player nominated from a higher team as follows:

(i)           If the nominated player normally plays in the goalkeeping position for their nominated team, they may play for a lower team in an outfield position.

(ii)          If the nominated player normally plays in an outfield position for their nominated team, they may play for a lower team in the goalkeeping position provided that team has less than 11 players available to play at the start of the match.

• In respect of boys playing in the Senior Boys League & Senior Hockey:
  • Players can play 3 matches at senior level during any 3 week period, and on their third match must take a 1 week break from senior hockey (they can still play in the Senior Boys League/Cup during this break).
  • This rule does not apply to boys who go to non-playing hockey schools.
• For clubs with two or more teams in a particular division, players can only be listed on team sheets for one of those teams in the same division on any given weekend (Friday to Sunday), except where the player is making up a full team for the bottom team in a club.

1.5 The list of nominated players may be altered by 2 per team by giving 3 days’ notice in writing to the relevant Registrar.
Any player removed from a club’s nominations may play no lower than one team below the team they were originally nominated.
Where a team has altered its nominations, no further alterations shall be allowed for 4 weeks, other than dealt with in rules 1.6 & 1.7.

1.6 Where it is clear that a player will miss 3 or more consecutive matches through absence (except for International or Interprovincial duty), injury or suspension, clubs shall remove the player in question from the nominations immediately.

1.7 If a player does not play for their nominated team, or above, in any period covering 3 consecutive matches (except due to International or Interprovincial duty), the club shall be obliged to give a written explanation to the relevant Registrar and replace the player in question prior to the next match.

1.8 Where a player is removed from a club’s nominations due to injury, absence or suspension (including across seasons); on their return they may play no lower than one team below the team where they were originally nominated.

1.9 Nominations for a season may not be altered after 1st March.

1.10 Cup nominations shall be those applying to the league 3 days prior to the cup match in question that the team plays in. Each member of a team competing in a Cup competition shall be a bona fide member of the club represented. Additionally, for cup matches which are played after 15th November in a season, they shall have played in at least two league matches in the current season for the team, or lower team in the club, in question that are due to play in a cup competition (includes U.18/U.16 Girls & U15 Senior Boys games).

1.11 Any team participating in EYHL1 will not be eligible to play in any Munster ‘Plate’ Competition.

1.12 Players can play for only one team in each cup competition.

1.13 Teams in breach of rules 1.1, 1.2 & 1.7 shall be dealt with by the Competitions Committee. The breach will be brought to the attention of the Competitions Committee by the relevant Registrar. The Competitions Committee shall award the points of all games where the club was in breach of the rules to the opposition and shall fine the club €100 for each breach of the rules 1.1, 1.2 & 1.7. Additionally, for league matches, the team will also be deducted 1 point. Additional defaults by the same team will carry an increasing penalty, which shall be an increment of one added point to the deduction of points for previous offences. For cup matches, the offending team will not be allowed to participate further in that cup competition (includes Plate games).

1.14 Teams in breach of rule 1.3, 1.4, 1.8, 1.10 & 1.12 shall have the match awarded to the opposition. For league matches, the team will also be deducted 1 point. Additional defaults by the same team will carry an increasing penalty, which shall be an increment of one added point to the deduction of points for previous offences. For cup matches, the offending team will not be allowed to participate further in that cup competition (includes Plate games).

1.15 The Competitions Committee shall reserve the right to veto any Club’s nominations and may impose conditions on certain nominations with a view to ensuring fair competition.

2. Transfer of Players

2.1 No player shall play for more than one club during the season in Branch competitions without the consent of the Competitions Committee.

2.2 When a player wishes to transfer from one HI affiliated club to another at any time of the season or between seasons, the club which the player wishes to join shall make an application for the transfer in writing to the relevant Registrar. This is done by fully completing and submitting the MBHI transfer form which can be found on the Branch website.

2.3 The club which the player is leaving shall not cause any unnecessary delay in the process of the transfer. Clubs (including underage Clubs) that cause any unnecessary delay shall be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute, and the matter shall be reported to the Management Committee who shall deal with the matter in accordance with Article 24 – Discipline, of the Branch Constitution.

2.4 An application for a transfer shall not normally be necessary if the player has not played in Branch competition for one whole season or more.

2.5 If a club plays a player before he/she is properly transferred, the Competitions Committee will:

• Remove any points gained by the team on which his/her name appears on the team sheet
• Deduct an additional point from the infringing team.
• Award the opposing team a win.
• For a second and/or subsequent breaches of this Rule, the penalties as outlined above will apply together with an additional deduction of an increment of one added point to the deduction of points for previous offences for each breach of the Rule. Rule 7.6 applies after a third breach of this Rule.

2.6 A player may only play for one club in any Branch Cup Competition.

2.7 Transfers shall not normally be approved after the 1st of January in any season. Exceptions may be allowed by the relevant registrar for cases involving the inter-county change of residence of the player involved.

Note: Please refer to HI rules for the IRISH HOCKEY LEAGUE and Irish Cup competitions and to HI/EHF rules for International transfers where qualification for European competition is involved.

3. League Rules

3.1 A team shall consist of a maximum of 18 players.

3.2 League points are awarded as follows:

• Win = 3 points
• Draw = 1 point
• Defeat = 0 points

3.3 Competition hockey shall commence and end on the instruction of the Competitions Committee.

(a)       The League shall consist of a number of Divisions dependent on the number of participating teams in any season. Leagues shall consist of 8 teams, where possible.

(b)         Only the 1^st Team of a club may play in Division 1 of the League.

3.4 On completion of the League Competition, the team with the lowest number of points shall be relegated, except in the Lowest Division. However, if there is no team eligible for promotion no relegation will take place.

Promotion & Relegation will apply in the following way:

• The teams that win their respective divisions are promoted and shall replace the team which is relegated from the next highest division.
• 2nd placed team will play a play-off with the 2^ndlast placed team in the higher division.
• For Division 1-2 only – If the winner of Division 2 is a club’s first team they are promoted to Division 1. If 2^ndplace in Division 2 is also a club’s first team, they will also be promoted (men)/play a play-off with 7^th place in Division 1 (women). If a 2^nd XI team win Div.2 and a 1^st XI team finish 2^nd, that 1^st XI team will be promoted (men)/play a play-off with 8^th place in Division 1 (women).
• *** All of the above is based on the assumption that the net effect movement between Division 1 and IHL is zero (i.e. no team is promoted/relegated to/from IHL; or 1 team is promoted and 1 team is relegated to/from IHL). For a net effect movement of +/-1 or +/- 2 and for how promotion/relegation will be applied at the end of the 2023/24 season, please see Appendix A to this set of Competition Rules.
• In the event of 2 or more teams achieving the same number of points for a position that impacts winning the league, qualification for a HI competition, promotion or relegation there will be a play-off for the position in question. Playoffs for league position shall be organised by the Competitions Committee and shall be organised in line with Cup Rules below.
• Teams will play the following season in the Division in which they are placed in from the previous season following promotion/relegation being applied. NO appeals to move will be considered.

3.5 In the event of a club withdrawing a team from competitive hockey, the team to be withdrawn should be from the lowest level unless otherwise approved by the Competitions’ Committee. All matches played by the team in question shall be declared null & void.

3.6 Unless otherwise agreed with the Competitions Committee, any new team entered into competitive hockey by a club will be entered at the lowest level.

3.7 The Competitions Committee can alter the format of each Division as required, subject to approval of the Management Committee.

3.8 U.18 and U.16 matches shall consist of 4 x 15 mins quarters.

4. Cup Rules

4.1 The drawing and organising of Cup Competitions shall be the responsibility of the Competitions Committee. All cup draws shall be open draws without seeding. There will be a draw after each round up to semi-final.

4.2 Matches shall be played on the ground of the team whose name is on top.

4.3 The dates and venues for all finals shall be the responsibility of the Competitions Committee. All finals should be played in neutral venues where possible and shall be played on synthetic pitches.

4.4 For cup matches, a back-up pitch should be organised by the home team in the scenario that their home pitch should be unplayable on the day of the cup match in question.

4.5 Umpires for cup finals shall be appointed by the MHUA.

4.6 The duration of all cup matches shall be 70 minutes (U.18 and U.16 matches 60 minutes). In the event of a draw the teams shall decide the result by a Shoot-out competition (no extra time) as per F.I.H. regulations.

4.7 A team shall consist of a maximum of 18 players.

4.8 Please refer to Appendix B to this set of Competition Rules for detail on cup formats with group stages.

5. Branch Trophies

5.1 All Branch trophies shall be perpetual challenge trophies and cannot be won outright.

5.2 All Branch trophies shall be signed for using the MBHI Trophy Receipt form.

5.3 All Branch trophies shall be returned to the Branch Administrator, clean & engraved, no later than 1^st March the following year. Clubs will be billed if trophies are not clean and engraved.

5.4 Clubs failing to adhere to this rule shall be subject to a €50 fine.

5.5 Where a Club permanently mislays or damages a Trophy, the Club will reimburse the Branch with its replacement.

6. Fixtures

6.1 Fixture lists for the season shall be drawn up by the Branch Hon. Fixtures Secretaries. All communications in respect of fixtures will only be conducted between the Club’s Fixtures Secretary and the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary.

6.2 Matches shall be started no later than ten minutes after the time specified, unless previously notified to the opposition and the umpires.

6.3 A match cannot take place without two umpires officiating. In the absence of umpire(s), it is the responsibility of the captains to agree umpire(s), from their panel if necessary.

6.4 All division 1 and division 2 league and cup matches shall be played on synthetic pitches.

6.5 All division 1 (men’s and women’s) matches shall be scheduled to start between 12 noon and 3:30pm on a Saturday. For matches to be played outside these hours (including midweek matches), a written application must be made at least seven days prior to the date of the fixture to the appropriate Branch Fixtures Secretary and written approval from the appropriate Branch Fixtures Secretary must be obtained. Failure to comply shall be dealt with by the MBHI Competitions Committee.

Note: When Irish competitions are being played these matches will take precedence.

6.6 The home team shall give the time of the game to the visiting team (and MHUA for Division 1 and cup games) by 9pm on the Friday week (8/9 days) before the game, and if the team or umpires are travelling more than 50Km, the home team shall ask for their planned time of departure. Repeated failure to inform the opposition of match times before the cut-off time may lead to fines and/or reversing of fixtures.

6.7 No fixture may start at a time that requires a travelling team to depart before 9.00am except with the agreement of both clubs. Where a team is travelling more than 50km, no game may start after 3:30pm except with the agreement of both clubs.

6.8 For teams not covered under competition rules 6.5 and 6.7, no game may start before 11:30 or after 6pm except with the agreement of both clubs.

7. Postponements, Rearrangements & Forfeited matches

7.1 Teams involved in Irish Competition (Irish Senior Cup, Irish Hockey Trophy, Irish Hockey Challenge, Irish Junior Cup, Chilean Cup, Mauritius Cup) on a particular weekend shall have their Munster fixture on that weekend postponed. In this case the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary will re-fix the game.
Where a team have 3 or more players missing for a fixture due to International duty (matches and camp only; NOT training sessions) they may request a postponement. The Branch Fixtures Secretary will fix the new date for this fixture.
Where a team have 3 or more players missing for a Sunday fixture due to Interprovincial duty (matches only; NOT training sessions) they may request a postponement. The Branch Fixtures Secretary will fix the new date for this fixture.

7.2 All applications for postponements must be made in writing using the official postponement form which shall be sent to the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary.

• All applications for a postponement must be made to the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretaryat least 7 days before the scheduled date. Applications for postponements are valid only if both clubs have specified an agreed date on which to play the fixture, subject to a deadline of 31st March. No application may be made unless this agreement is recorded in the application.
• The relevant Branch Fixtures Secretaries shall decide whether to grant the postponement or not. Branch Fixtures Secretaries will normally refuse to grant a postponement, even if both clubs agree, if in his or her opinion the reason for the application is inadequate.
• Once a decision is made on a postponement application, the Branch Fixtures Secretary shall notify the fixtures secretaries of both clubs involved in the application. A refusal to grant a postponement may be appealed to the Competitions Committee within 24hrs of the refusal. The Competitions Committee will make a final determination within 24hrs of receiving an appeal.
• If the club seeking the postponement does not secure the agreement of the opposition club, the game shall go ahead as scheduled. If the game does not go ahead, the Competitions Committee will apply the forfeiture rules – 7.4, 7.5 & 7.6.

7.3 Branch Fixtures Secretaries shall not grant postponements if applications are not made 7 days prior to the date on which the fixture has been arranged, save in circumstances that are exceptional in the opinion of the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary. In these cases, rearrangements will be set by the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary.

7.4 Where a team does not play its scheduled match on the given weekend, without prior official postponement, they shall be deemed to have forfeited the match.

7.5 The sanctions against a team forfeiting a match are as follows:

• The opposition is awarded a win in the match;
• For league matches, they shall be deducted one point for the first offence in the season. Additional offences by the same team will carry an increasing penalty, which shall be an increment of one added point to the deduction of points for previous offences.
• Receive a fine of €100
• In a cup match, the team will be unable to participate in any further part of the cup competition, e.g. a plate or runners-up cup & are fined €100. They will also be excluded in playing in cup competitions the following season.
• For the next game where the forfeiting team is scheduled to play at home against the team they forfeited to, the fixture will be reversed, and the forfeiting team will have to travel (this may carry to the next season if there is no home game remaining in the current season).

7.6 Clubs (including underage teams) that forfeit more than three matches in a season shall be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute, and the matter reported to the Management Committee who shall deal with the matter in accordance with article 24 – Discipline, of the Branch Constitution.

8. Pitch Unplayable

8.1 Where a team and/or umpire(s) is to travel more than 50km:

(a) If there is any doubt about the condition of a pitch due to weather, the home club shall ring the travelling team / umpire(s) before they are due to start the journey and either cancel or confirm the fixture.

(b) In the event that the away team has left and the weather changes to the point where the match cannot be played, the home team are obliged to contact the travelling team up to 1 hour before the planned fixture. This will only be valid in the case of unforeseen circumstances, and at all other times, 8.1(a) should be followed accordingly.

8.2 In the event that Rule 8.1 (a) or (b) has been used inappropriately the offending club shall be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute, and the matter will be reported to the Management Committee who shall deal with the matter in accordance with Article 24 – Discipline, of the Branch Constitution.

8.3 If the procedure in 8.1 above is not adhered to and the travelling team arrives, and the match is not played, the fixture will be reversed, and the home team shall be fined €100.  If umpires arrive and the match is not played their expenses shall be paid by the home team.

8.4 If the procedure in 8.1 above is adhered to and the match is subsequently cancelled by the umpires, the match will be re-fixed at the original venue. The relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary will re-fix the match.

8.5 If a match is called off by anyone other than the umpires and in the umpires’ opinion called off needlessly, the Competitions Committee will reverse the fixture.

8.6 Clubs must provide the names and contact details of two members who may be contacted by travelling teams.

8.7 Where a team refuses to play a game after the umpires agree the game can go ahead, that team shall be deemed to have forfeit the game and the forfeiture rules 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 shall apply.

8.8 Adverse weather warnings

(a) In the advent of an adverse red weather warning the Competitions Committee will unilaterally cancel all scheduled fixtures. The relevant Branch Fixtures Secretaries shall re-fix any games cancelled in such an eventuality.

(b) In the advent of an adverse orange weather warning clubs may seek a postponement of their scheduled fixture if the orange weather warning is scheduled during the time of their match and/or the time they are due to travel to/from the match. Agreement must be sought from the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary before the game is officially called off. The relevant Branch Fixtures Secretaries shall re-fix any games cancelled in such an eventuality.

9. Unfinished Matches

9.1 In the case of unfinished matches, the Competitions Committee shall, at its discretion, and having regard to the circumstances in which the match remained unfinished:

• Re-fix the match
• Reckon the result of the match as per the score at the time the match was stopped.
• Reckon the match as a draw.
• Reckon the match as forfeit by either or both teams.

10. Result of Matches

10.1 Match cards shall be kept of every Branch Fixture which shall include the full names of the players on the panel, the name of the competition, the venue, date & time of the fixture. The number on every player’s shirt shall match the number opposite that player’s name on the match card. The player who played in goal in the match must be indicated with “(GK)” next to their name on the match card. The match card shall be completed by both teams and handed to the umpires prior to the start of the match by the Captain of the home team.

10.2 At the end of the match the umpires shall enter the score, name of scorer(s), mark any disciplinary card(s) used, sign, and return the card to the Captain of the home team.

10.3 Both teams must send a photo of the match card to their relevant Registrar and, for Division 1 to 4 only, the Umpires Registrar. For matches played Friday, Saturday or Sunday of a particular weekend to be received no later than 8pm on the Sunday of the weekend. Matches played at any other times the card must be received within 24 hours. If the card does not arrive in time, the relevant club shall be fined €20 for the first offence by a team & €40 for each subsequent offence. The original of the card is to be retained by the Home team in case it is needed at a later date.

10.4 The home club shall communicate the result of a match (or news of its postponement) to Sports Manager and to the relevant Branch Fixtures Secretary as soon as possible. Where news of a match result or postponement is not communicated to Sports Manager and to the Branch Fixtures Secretary by 8:00pm on a Sunday (for weekend results), the relevant club may be fined €50.

10.5 The match card should be an accurate record of the match played. Any deliberate falsification of entries on match cards shall be dealt with by the Competitions Committee who shall reckon the match as forfeited by the offending team and may report the issue for further sanction to the MBHI Management.

10.6 Notwithstanding 10.2 and 10.5 above, a score greater than ten goals, or a difference greater than ten goals, shall be reduced accordingly and the reduced score shall be entered on the match card. The score submitted to Sports Manager shall be that entered on the match card.

11. Clothing & Equipment

11.1 Every affiliated club must have two sets of distinguishing colours that are registered with the Munster Branch.

11.2 Any change of colours by a club must have prior consent of the Munster Branch Management Committee.

11.3 Full Club uniform must be worn by all teams, including goalkeeping smocks for goalkeepers. Where colours are similar, the visiting team must change tops & socks. Any visible clothing including bicycle shorts, skins or bodywarmers must be of a similar colour to the player’s team strip.

11.4 Players in all divisions of the League, and in all cup competitions, shall wear numbered shirts with no numbers duplicated. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a fine of €100 to the relevant club.

11.5 Captains must wear a distinctive armband or some other distinguishing item that clearly identifies them.

12. Discipline

12.1 A Disciplinary Panel of a minimum of five persons (5) will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

12.2 Any player who receives a red card in a game shall be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. The report of the red card decision shall be given to the Hon. Secretary of the Munster Branch within 72 hours. The Hon Secretary will forward the report to the Chair of the Disciplinary Panel.
(a) The player who received the red card shall serve an automatic one match ban and any additional ban as decided by the management’s disciplinary committee. The Disciplinary Committee (panel) shall hold its hearing into the matter within 7 days of receipt of the report.
(b) Attendance at the hearing shall include the relevant player accompanied by a person of their choosing, and in addition it may include the relevant umpires and such persons as deemed appropriate by the Disciplinary Panel. Any extension of the one match ban will be notified to the Player and the Hon. Secretary of the relevant Club within 72 hours of the hearing by the Hon. Secretary of the Branch and copied to the relevant Registrar.
(c) If a non-nominated player receives a ban, the Registrar shall decide the team on which the player serves it, taking into account on what team that player usually plays.
(d) While the player is serving his/her suspension, he/she may not play for any other team in Munster competitions until his/her suspension is served, or take part in any form of Munster Hockey in any capacity.

12.3 A player who having accumulated three yellow cards in a season shall have the matter reviewed by the Disciplinary Panel. Any match suspension(s) from play resulting from this review will be processed as defined in 12.2.

12.4 The match in which the player serves any match suspension(s) from play shall be decided by the Registrar. The club of any player subject to a match suspension(s) from play is responsible for ensuring that the player does not play until the match suspension(s) from play is served. If a player plays before the match suspension(s) from play is served, then additional sanctions may be applied by the disciplinary panel including increasing the match suspension(s) from play for the player and/or deciding that matches played by the team that played the suspended player should be forfeited.

12.5 Only those named on the match card and who are involved in the match are permitted to take a position in the allocated area for teams at the side of the pitch. All other persons not named must be outside the playing area. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of €500 for the relevant Club.

12.6 Appeals
The procedures to be followed in respect of appeals is as per Article 26 – Appeals of the Branch Constitution.

12.7 The coach, manager, physio, doctor (if appropriate) and substitutes must remain on the bench at all times during the match other than for a substitution or to treat an injury. In these instances only, the appropriate personnel may leave the bench. The coach may never leave the bench during the match.

13. Umpires
    (i)
    a) All games in Division 1 to 4 (and their associated cups) must be umpired by persons who have completed the Fundamentals of Umpiring Module 1.  This is recognised by Hockey Ireland as the National basic umpiring qualification. All persons must be registered with Munster Hockey and members of Hockey Ireland.
14. b) All persons who have completed the Fundamentals of Umpiring Module 1, must apply to Munster Hockey for an umpire ID number. To receive this ID number all persons requiring an ID number must present evidence of passing the online rules test and completion of the Fundamentals of Umpiring Module 1 course, before being given an ID number.
15. c) All umpires, who are members of the Munster Hockey Umpires Association or have completed the National Umpire Award Course in the past, and require an ID number, must submit proof of having completed the NUAC or proof of membership of the MHUA, before being given an ID number.

(ii)
a) All match cards for the above competitions must include the following in relation to the umpires for the game: match umpires’ ID number, printed name and signature of match umpires.

b) Where it is found that a team has not complied with the above requirements, they will forfeit any points gained from the match umpired by an unqualified umpire.
If both teams are found to be in breach of this rule the match will be declared null and void. It will NOT be refixed. To avoid any of the above sanctions both umpires who have umpired the game MUST satisfy (i) above.
Teams to be found in constant breach of this rule may have further sanctions imposed on them, including, but not limited to, those sanctions as laid out in Rule 7.5.

1. c) If the game is a cup match the offending team(s) will be excluded from the draw for the next round in the event of (i) and (ii)(a) not being complied with.
2. d) From season 2024/25, all games in Division 1-6 (and their associated cups) must be umpired by persons who have completed the Fundamentals of Umpiring Module 1.  This is recognised by Hockey Ireland as the National basic umpiring qualification. All persons must be registered with Munster Hockey and members of Hockey Ireland.
3. e) From season 2025/26, all games at U.16, U.18 and senior competition level must be umpired by persons who have completed the Fundamentals of Umpiring Module 1.  This is recognised by Hockey Ireland as the National basic umpiring qualification. All persons must be registered with Munster Hockey and members of Hockey Ireland.
4. Rules Test

(a) All players competing in any Division 1 to 4 games, and cup competitions involving teams from Division 1 to 4, MUST have passed the online rules test run by Hockey Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Hockey Umpires Association. The club secretary must send to the relevant Registrar and Secretary of the Munster Hockey Umpires Association a list of players the club secretary is certifying as having completed the online rules course.

(b) Where it is found that a team has not complied with this requirement, the game will be forfeited to the opposition, provided the opposition team has complied with section (a). A 1 point deduction will be applied, initially, to any team participating in a league game not in compliance with section (a). For a cup competition the offending team will be excluded from the draw for the next round.

If both teams are found to be in breach of this rule, Rule 13(ii) (b)/(c) above will apply in addition to the deduction of points for league games as outlined above and (c) below.(c) Additional offences by the same team will carry an increasing penalty, which shall be an increment of one added point to the deduction of points for previous offences.

(d) From season 2024/25 all persons taking part in Division 1-6 competition under the control of Munster Hockey, MUST have completed the online rules course run by Hockey Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Hockey Umpires Association. The club secretary must send to the relevant Registrar and Secretary of the Munster Hockey Umpires Association a list of players the club secretary is certifying as having completed the online rules course.

(e) From season 2025/26 all persons taking part in U.16, U.18 and senior hockey competition under the control of Munster Hockey, MUST have completed the online rules course run by Hockey Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Hockey Umpires Association. The club secretary must send to the relevant Registrar and Secretary of the Munster Hockey Umpires Association a list of players the club secretary is certifying as having completed the online rules course.

15. MMO (Matchday Misconduct Offence)

A MMO is committed when, at any time during the day of a match, but excluding the time from the start to the end of the match, a person, player, official, club member, who is due to participate in or is at the match, or who has participated in or at the match, misconducts himself/herself in such a way that one of the match umpires decides: (a) it would have warranted the issue of a Red Card had such misconduct occurred during the match, and (b) is to be reported as a MMO, and the umpire so informs the offender, where possible, either directly or through another person, player, official, club member, on the day of the match.

As soon as reasonably practicable after the umpire has decided to report a MMO, the umpire shall inform a representative of the affiliated body for which the offender is to participate or has participated on the day of the relevant match, that the offender’s misconduct is to be reported as a MMO to the Secretary of Munster Hockey. The MMO is to be reported no later than 72 hours after the game time using the MMO form.

On receipt of the Red Card/MMO report, the Secretary of Munster Hockey shall convene the disciplinary panel to deal with the Red Card/MMO report.

16. Fines

A club with outstanding unpaid fines will be ineligible to take part in any Munster Branch competition, in the following season, until such fines have been paid in full.

Appendix A – Promotion/Relegation criteria

Men

Division 1:

• No relegation

Division 2:

• Promotion will be as per Rule 3.4.
• 7^th & 8^th place relegated (if one or more teams are promoted to Div.1, then only 8^th place will be relegated.)

Division 3:

• 1^st place promoted

Women

1. For zero net effect movement between Division 1 and IHL (i.e.no team is promoted/relegated to/from IHL; or 1 team is promoted and 1 team is relegated to/from IHL):

Division 1:

• Relegation will be as per Rule 3.4.

Division 2:

• Promotion will be as per Rule 3.4.
• 7^th place relegated
• 6^th place vs. 3^rd3 in a play-off

Division 3:

• 1^st and 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 6^th2 in a play-off
• 9^th place relegated
• 8^th place vs. 3^rd4 in a play-off

Division 4:

• 1^st and 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 8^th3 in a play-off
• 9^th place relegated
• 8^th place vs. 3^rd5 in a play-off

Division 5:

• 1^st and 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 8^th4 in a play-off
• 8^th place relegated
• 7^th place vs. 3^rd6 in a play-off

Division 6:

• 1^st & 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 7^th5 in a play-off

1. For net effect movement of +1 between Division 1 and IHL (i.e.no team is promoted and 1 team is relegated to/from IHL):

Division 1:

• 8^threlegated + 7^th place vs. 1^st2 in a play-off (only if 1^st XI team wins Div.2)

OR

• 8^th relegated + 7^th place vs. 2^nd2 in a play-off (only if a 2^ndXI team win Div.2 and a 1^st XI team finish in 2^nd place)

Division 2:

• 1^stplace (1^st XI team only) vs. 7^th1 in a play-off

OR

• 2^ndplace vs. 7^th1 in a play-off (only if a 2^nd XI team win Div.2 and a 1^st XI team finish in 2^nd place)
• Relegation will be as per Rule 3.4.

Division 3+4:

• Promotion/Relegation will be as per Rule 3.4.

Division 5:

• Promotion will be as per Rule 3.4.
• Relegation will be as per Section A above.

Divisions 6:

• Promotion will be as per Section A above.

1. For net effect movement of -1 between Division 1 and IHL (i.e.1 team is promoted and no team is relegated to/from IHL; or 2 teams are promoted and 1 team is relegated to/from IHL):

Division 1:

• No automatic relegation
• 8^th place vs. 2^nd2 in a play-off (only if 1^st XI teams finish in 1^st and 2^nd place in Div.2)

Division 2:

• 1^stpromoted (1^st XI team only) or if a 2^nd XI team win Div.2 and a 1^st XI finish 2^nd, that 1^st XI team will be promoted
• 2^ndplace (1^st XI team only) vs. 8^th1 (only if 1^st XI teams finish in 1^st and 2^nd place)
• Relegation: i) if no promotion to Div.1 = relegation will be as per Section A above.

1. ii) if 1 team promoted to Div.1 = 7^th place vs. 3^rd3 in a play-off.

Using the relegation criteria in Div.2 above, for Divisions 3 – 6 the following will apply:

1. i) Promotion/Relegation will be as per Section A above.

ii)

Division 3:

• 1^st and 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 7^th2 in a play-off
• No automatic relegation
• 9^th place vs. 3^rd4 in a play-off

Division 4:

• 1^st & 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 9^th3 in a play-off
• 9^th place relegated
• 8^th place vs. 3^rd5 in a play-off

Division 5:

• 1^st & 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 8^th4 in a play-off
• 8^th place relegated
• 7^th place vs. 3^rd6 in a play-off

Division 6:

• 1^st & 2^nd place promoted
• 3^rd place vs. 7^th5 in a play-off

1. For net effect movement of -2 between Division 1 and IHL (i.e.2 teams are promoted and no team is relegated to/from IHL):

Division 1:

• No relegation

Division 2:

• 1^st& 2^nd promoted (1^st XI teams only)
• Relegation: i) if no promotion to Div.1 = relegation will be as per Section A above.

1. ii) if 1 team promoted to Div.1 = relegation will be as per Section C(ii) above.

iii) if 2 teams promoted to Div.1 = 7^th place vs. 4^th Div.3 in a play-off

Using the relegation criteria in Div.2 above, for Divisions 3 – 6 the following will apply:

1. i) Promotion/Relegation will be as per Section A above.
2. ii) Promotion/Relegation will be as per Section C(ii) above.

iii)

Division 3:

• 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place promoted
• 4^th place vs. 7^th2 in a play-off
• No automatic relegation
• 9^th place vs. 3^rd4 in a play-off

Divisions 4-6: Promotion/Relegation will be as per Section C(ii) above.

Appendix B – Cup formats with group stages

Men’s Charity Cup

1. Eligible teams: a) Div.1 teams not competing in EYHL2
   b) Div.2 1^st XI teams
   c) Div.2 2^nd XI teams whose first team compete in EYHL2

2. Teams will be split into 2 groups of 4 teams each.
3. Each team will play all other teams in their group once. Only 1^st XI Div.2 teams will be guaranteed two home games.
4. Points will be awarded as per League Rule 3.2 above.
5. Top two teams in each group will qualify for the ½ finals. 1^st in Group A will play at home to 2^nd in Group B, and 1^st in Group B will play at home to 2^nd in Group A.
6. In the event that 2 or more teams are tied in a qualifying position for the ½ finals, the following criteria will be used to determine a qualifier:
   i) if a team already gave a walkover in the group stage, they will be automatically removed from the equation.
   ii) result of the match between the teams concerned.
   iii) a play-off will be organised to determine a qualifier.
7. Play-offs, ½ finals and final will be played in line with cup rules above.
8. All other Competition Rules above are applicable to the group stages of the Charity Cup (please note Rule 1.10).

Women’s Examiner Cup

1. Eligible teams: a) Div.1 teams not competing in EYHL2
   b) Div.2 1^st XI teams
   c) Div.2 2^nd XI teams whose first team compete in EYHL1
   d) Connacht Div.1 1^st XI team not qualified for EYHL2 (invitee)

2. Teams will be split into 2 groups of 5 teams each.
3. Each team will play all other teams in their group once. Only 1^st XI Div.2 teams will be guaranteed three home games if in the group of 6.
4. Points will be awarded as per League Rule 3.2 above.
5. Top two teams in each group will qualify for the ½ finals. 1^st in Group A will play at home to 2^nd in Group B, and 1^st in Group B will play at home to 2^nd in Group A.
6. In the event that 2 or more teams are tied in a qualifying position for the ½ finals, the following criteria will be used to determine a qualifier:
   i) if a team already gave a walkover in the group stage, they will be automatically removed from the equation.
   ii) result of the match between the teams concerned.
   iii) a play-off will be organised to determine a qualifier.
7. Play-offs, ½ finals and final will be played in line with cup rules above.
8. All other Competition Rules above are applicable to the group stages of the Examiner Cup (please note Rule 1.10).