Girls Club Rules

MBHI Youths U14 Girls Rules 2025/26

These rules are applicable to the MBHI Youths U14 Girls Leagues under the governance of the MBHI Youth’s Committee.

• The MBHI Club Competition Rules do not apply to the MBHI Youths U14 Girls Leagues, described below.

Guidance for Team entries U14 Girls Leagues:

There will be 5 divisions for U14 Girls Leagues from Season 26/27, U14 Division 1 to U14 Division 5. The table below summarizes the format, recommended participants and the skill levels required for each division.

Competition / Rules / Guidance

• Unless otherwise stated normal rules apply.
• The competition structure is determined by the fixture secretaries when all teams are entered. Clubs will need to indicate the ranking of their teams and the fixture secretaries will advise on the appropriate division.

U14 Divisions 1 to 4 will consist of 7 teams per division to allow for 12 home & away matches. If there is an excess of 7 teams per division, this will be reviewed by the U14 fixtures secretaries and can be allowed on an exceptional basis.

Div 5 League structure to be determined by the number of team entries

• It is recommended that where a club enters more than one team in a division that all teams are of equal playing standard
• U14 Divisions 1 to 4 are 11-a-side – squad maximum of 18
• U14 Divisions 5 is 8-a-side – squad maximum of 18
• It is recommended that all U14 league managers and coaches attend a pre-season online meeting, where guidance will be provided on the Divisions, nominations, advice on rules, umpiring, Child protection & Gameday.
• Fixtures

Weekends are assigned for U14 Division 1 to 5 league fixtures, matches can be played on the Friday night, Saturday or Sunday. Friday night games are for clubs within a 20-mile radius. The match must be played on assigned weekend unless a postponement is granted (see postponement rules)

Sanction for non-fulfilment is:

The opposition is awarded a win in the match.

For league matches they shall be deducted one extra point for each offence in the season.

If a Club has more than one offence in a season, a fine of €50 will be issued to the club for each additional offence

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).

Clubs 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 MBHI Board who shall deal with the matter in accordance with the MBHI Disciplinary Procedures and Regulations document (currently being drafted)

• Short Corners

FULL PITCH SHORT CORNERS: standard hockey rules apply

HALF PITCH: matches to be played across the width of the pitch CIRCLE: full size circle on half pitch with all appropriate markings

HALF PITCH SHORT CORNERS: standard hockey rules apply

HALF PITCH MATCHES: defending players not involved in the short corner to go to the opposition end line

Penalty corners; FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL SHORT CORNERS FOR ALL LEVELS

• Match Duration

U14 Divisions 1 to 5 : 50 minutes, 12.5 mins a quarter with 2 mins break per quarter, 5 mins break at half time.

U14 Division 5 blitz format: 40 minutes, 10 mins a quarter with 2 mins break per quarter, 5 mins break at half time.

• Winners will be decided by a points system as follows:

Win 3 points

Draw 1 point each

Loss No points

• At the end of the normal season, the top 4 teams in Divisions 1-4  will participate in Semifinals. Div 5 will have Quarter Finals. In the event of two teams achieving the same number of points, QF or SF places will be determined using published Goal Difference  In the event of two teams being on the same number of points, and goal difference, goals scored followed by head to head will be used to determine semi-finalists and quarter finalists.

Nomination of players:

• Clubs to nominate players for every team and the players remain on that team for the remainder of the season.
• Nominations unlimited to a point.
• Clubs to submit full lists of all team registrations to fixtures secretaries at least 48 hours before leagues commence. Player registrations to be added in Gameday to align with Senior leagues.
• Players can only play on their nominated team, if not adhered to the following sanction will apply:
  a) The opposition is awarded a win in the match.
  b) For league matches they shall be deducted one extra point for each offence in the season.
  c) If a Club has more than one offence in a season, a fine of €50 will be issued to the club for each additional offence

Eligibility:

• Players in 6th Class ( as per guidance for U14 Division 5), First and Second Year are eligible to play
• Players in U14 Divisions 1 to 4 cannot play in Division 5*
• Players can play a maximum of two matches at a higher level i.e. U14 Division 1 and on playing a third match can no longer play in the lower league*  A club may apply to the relevant fixture secretary for an exemption for exceptional circumstances.
• U14 players may play with U16 team in their club following the same template as Senior competition rules – “where a player plays 3 games at a certain level, they must be nominated at no more than the next lowest level”
• Players who have played in U14 Divisions 1 to 4 for more than two games cannot play in the U14 Division 5 league again in their time playing underage hockey*.
• INTERPROVINCIAL players cannot play in the U14 Division 5 league
• Players are not eligible to play adult hockey until they reach their 15th Birthday (U16 & U18 exempt)
• Where a Club has 3 or more teams entered, at least 1 team must be entered in U14 Divisions 1 to 3.
• U14 players should have played at least 2 league games in the applicable division or lower to be eligible to play in the QF/SF/Final.
  * other than that allowed by the Goalkeeper rule

 Goalkeepers:

• Goalkeepers can play outfield on a team to the next level down ie U14 Division 1 to U14 Division 2 or U14 Division 4 to U14 Division 5 but not U14 Division 3 to U14 Division 5
• Where a club only has teams at the one level the Goalkeeper can play outfield on one of the other teams at the same level
• The player is to be nominated as Goalkeeper & outfield player on the respective teams & are not interchangeable.

Registrar:

• A panel of 18 players is allowed for U14 Divisions 1 to 5
• The U-16 Girls Registrar will be in touch with Dermot Conway regarding the 3 match rule and any decision will be made by the Youths Committee.
• Any Girl playing Ladies hockey must be 15 years old – HI rule
• Any girls who are over age (3rd year), clubs to contact relevant fixture secretary, prior to the start of the season/during player nomination and this situation will be discussed by the Youths committee. Clubs will be informed of this situation when this arises. A maximum of 1 overage girl should be played at any time. The recommendation is that overage girls can only be played in Div 1 and  Div 2.

Match Cards:

• Both teams need to have populated their Matchcard in Gameday at least 48 hours before the game. The home team is responsible for printing the matchcard from Gameday and bringing it to the match.
• Players from lower divisions to be clearly marked on the match card.
• Matchcard shall include the names of the panel (full first and surname names on match card) the name of the competition, the venue and date of the fixture The Goalkeeper & any player playing up is to be marked
• Matchcard must be handed to one of the umpires before the match and the umpire shall enter the score and the number of scorers. Actual result to be recorded on the match card. A score greater than five goals, or a difference greater than five goals, shall be reduced accordingly by the relevant Fixture Secretary.
• Results will be entered by clubs into Gameday with signed match cards emailed to the relevant fixture secretary.

U14 Div 1 Match Cards: Home team to email the match card to u14div1@munsterhockey.ie(Dermot Conway) within 2 days of playing

U14 Div 2 Match Cards: Home team to email the match card to u14div2@munsterhockey.ie(Dermot Conway) within 2 days of playing

U14 Div 3 Match Cards: Home team to email the match card to u14div3@munsterhockey.ie(Orla O’Connor) within 2 days of playing

U14 Div 4 Match Cards: Home team to email the match card to u14div4@munsterhockey.ie(Orla O’Connor) within 2 days of playing

U14 div5Match Cards: home team to email the match card to u14div5@munsterhockey.ie within 2 days of playing

Postponements:

• Postponements are to be re-arranged by clubs. Relevant Fixture Secretary to be informed with a new date.
• Postponement rules apply to U14 Divisions 1 to 5
• Postponements are to be applied for 7 days in advance of a match. This application to be made to the relevant fixture secretary. Reasons for this postponement must be advised.
• A fixture can be rearranged a maximum of 2 dates after which a 3-0 win will be awarded to the impacted team.

Weather:

• Please do not play in weather conditions that are dangerous
• Red Warning:

All matches will be cancelled across the board by MBHI

• Orange Warning:

In the event 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.

The home team to contact the travelling team to discuss the situation. The relevant Fixture Secretary to be informed if there is an agreement of a cancellation.

Grounds person to make decision on pitches. Relevant Fixture Secretary to be informed of cancellations.

Coach / Manager Responsibilities:

• The captain on the day must wear a distinctive armband
• Each team should have a fully kitted goalkeeper on the pitch at all times. In the event of a team not having a full kitted goalkeeper than all players play outfield
• Home club is responsible for making sure that the pitch is marked with drop down lines and the “D” set up correctly. The use of Munster Branch mini goals is allowed, otherwise please use standard goals
• Teams must wear the same colour tops i.e. t-shirts or polo shirts
• Teams may wear shorts/skorts but they must be club colours
• Shin pads and gum shields are strongly recommended to be worn by all players
• Teams must to bring their own first Aid kits
• Each team to bring their own drinks and packed lunch etc.
• Host Club to supply match balls etc.
• Each Club to provide an umpire
• Umpires decisions are absolutely final and abuse of the umpires will not be tolerated
• Clubs are responsible for their own players at all times
• Encourage players to thank their opponents and umpires at the end of every match
• Transparency is vital in the running of these teams and this is the club’s responsibility.
• No phone calls to secretary’s after 10pm or at weekends unless in an emergency.
• It is advised that parents/coaches do not umpire matches, especially if a player is a daughter on the team, where possible.

Travelling Rules:

• No matches are to be started later than 3:30pm with any teams travelling more than 20km – this rule applies to Sundays only.

Facilities:

Bathroom and changing rooms to be available.

Urinating pitchside is totally unacceptable and unhygienic. This is a breach of hockey rules and cards can be given to offenders.

Branch Trophies:

• All Branch Trophies shall be perpetual challenge trophies and cannot be won outright
• All Branch trophies shall be signed for using the MBHI Trophy Receipt form.
• All Branch trophies shall be returned to the Branch Administrator, clean & engraved, no later than 31st January the following year.
• Clubs failing to adhere to this rule shall be subject to a €50 fine.
• Where a Club permanently mislays a Trophy, the Club will reimburse the Branch with its replacement.

Complaints Process:

• The MBHI Complaints Procedure should be followed for any complaints.

Photography

• Photography and videography are very useful tools used in administration, for personal memento and as a coaching aid.
• Permission should be sought to ensure young people and parents are aware of when and how their images are being used.
• All photographers and videographers should complete a Self-Declaration Form, provide photographic ID and their contact details and they must register their photographic device with the organiser of an event.
• Only appropriate images should be taken and used, and a young person can opt out at any time.
• If images are being put onto social media, the young person’s details should not be included