Re:  Banbridge in the EHL 2011-12

Further to earlier posts, it was felt that an update was appropriate at this stage.

We are currently awaiting news from the EHF on the venue and the draw for the 2011-12 EHL, this should be with us within the next three weeks.  We have received no indication from them at this stage as to likely venues which makes the planning all that more difficult, especially for supporters.

Due to the relatively short time between finding out the details and the trip actually taking place, we are having to finalise our travelling party in advance of this.  This is not an ideal situation but in order to minimise costs it is the only way in which we can proceed.  So we are asking that any members who wish to travel as part of the club’s official party, should pay a deposit of £150.00stg to Walter Cosgrove or Paddy Grimes by this Thursday night.  A copy of your passport should also accompany your deposit.

To facilitate this Walter and Paddy will be in the Clubhouse until 9pm on Thursday night to collect the money and issue receipts.

As per previous correspondence, please note that nothing is guaranteed or final until we are advised of more detail by the European Hockey Federation and Euro Hockey League organisers.  Below are listed some points you may find of use at this stage:

• Places on the Official Banbridge Hockey Club Group Trip will be open to members and their wives/husbands/partners/children only.
• Associate membership is available to those not currently members at a cost of £30 per person which can be added to the travel deposit.
• Those travelling will be responsible for providing their own travel insurance.
• The total cost of the trip has been tentatively priced at approx £350.00stg.  This is based on flights, transfers, and a two night stay at the tournament venue.  We will be seeking to keep the trip as affordable as possible.
• Accommodation will be provided on a Bed and Breakfast basis only.
• Entry to the matches will be the responsibility of the individuals travelling.
• Round 1 will be played on either weekend 7-9 October 2011 or weekend 21-23 October 2011.
• Further details on venue and date will be advised ASAP.

The above will enable us to start formalising our plans immediately upon receipt of further information regarding the Tournament.

Should you have any further queries, or if you would like a little further information prior to confirming your place on the trip please do not hesitate to contact Walter Cosgrove, John Bell, Neil Madeley, Eugene Magee Snr. or Paddy Grimes.

Please also note that our fundraising activities in relation to the European adventure will begin in early August.  Please keep up to date with all the going’s on at the club here at www.banbridgehockeyclub.com.

We look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Regards

Paddy Grimes
For and on behalf of Banbridge Hockey Club

Both Paul Revington (men) and Gene Muller (women) revealed their squads for what will be their biggest tournaments this summer, and Irelands first opportunity to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics. Both sides have had exceptionally busy and successful summers. The men most recently added a trophy to their cabinet when they took gold at the recent INSEP tournament in Paris ahead of Australia, Korea and Argentina. Ireland women have also had an intense summer as they continue to train centrally while they also produced some great results at the Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I tournament where they finished above their ranking.

A finish in the top two for the women will guarantee qualification or top three if England finish in the top two. For the men a finish in the top three secures an Olympic berth unless England finish in the top three in which case it will go to the top four. If at this juncture Ireland does not qualify they will progress forward into the Olympic Qualifiers which will take place early 2012 (dates / venues tbc).

Both Coaches will have an opportunity to fine tune their sides as they have a number of matches pencilled in prior to the Europeans (see schedule below) most notably against Argentina in UCD.

Commenting on the upcoming tournament High Performance Director Dave Passmore said These are both exciting selections from two teams who have both made encouraging progress over the past nine months. Both teams have tough groups but the three men’s tournament wins this summer and the women’s performances at the Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I event in Dublin demonstrates that we have the capability for an upset.

Revington who is yet to name player 17 & 18 spoke to us earlier about his selection Our extended Ireland Squad has enjoyed a highly competitive summer together, culminating in the selection of this final Ireland Team to tackle the EuroHockey Nations Championships. Although the Team of 18 is not yet absolutely finalised, the 16 players selected provides an insight into the strength of quality and form that Ireland will take into the European Championships. The two games this weekend versus Argentina will provide various players with a last performance opportunity before we select the remaining two places on the European Championship Team.

Mens Squad
David Ames (Beeston); Peter Caruth (Annadale); Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey); Mitch Darling (Den Bosch); David Fitzgerald GK (Monkstown); Paul Gleghorne (Instonians); Ronan Gormley (Club de Campo) Capt; Conor Harte (SCHC); David Harte GK (SCHC); John Jackson (Mossley); John Jermyn (Cork C of I); Eugene Magee (Dragons); Geoff McCabe (Santander); Andy McConnell (Hurley); Ian Sloan (Cookstown); Michael Watt (Santander); 17th & 18th player TBC
Reserves: Brennan, Joe (Glenanne); Blakeney, Peter (Three Rock Rovers); Cargo, Chris (Reading) Flannery, Ronan (Pembroke) Loughrey, Stuart (Loughborough) Maguire, Phelie (Leuven) McCandless, Bruce (Banbridge) Sothern, Alan (Den Bosch) Walker, Iain (YMCA) Watkins, Gareth (Monkstown)
Final preparation matches all in UCD: 6th August 3pm Ireland v Argentina; 7th August 3pm Ireland v Argentina

Teams will be selected when registration is complete with each team being made up of a number of players from a variety of abilities.  The format etc will also be agreed upon when the participant numbers are known.

After the hockey is finished there will be a BBQ and a disco in the clubhouse until the early hours.  So bring your friends and come along for a bit of craic.

Commenting on the impending competition Paul Revington said We are very fortunate to be attending this event and especially considering the quality of opposition we will be facing. The games are well timed as we continue to develop various areas of our team play through the summer and our squad is provided with an immediate opportunity to press on after some success in Lille a fortnight ago.

Revingtons squad sees Cookstowns Ian Sloan back in action after recently competing in the U18 EuroYouth Nations Championship in Holland as he is called back in to compete at the Senior Level.

Ireland will complete four matches in five days, on completion they will play two further matches on home turf against Argentina on the 6th and 7th August in their last matches prior to the EuroHockey Nations Championships from the 21st – 28th August.

Irish Squad; INSEP 5 Nations
Paris 26th – 30th July 2011
David Ames (Beeston)
Chris Cargo (Reading)
Peter Caruth (Annadale)
Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey)
Mitch Darling (Den Bosch)
David Fitzgerald (Monkstown) GK
Paul Gleghorne (Instonians)
Ronan Gormley (Club de Campo) Capt
Conor Harte (SCHC)
David Harte (SCHC) GK
John Jackson (Mossley)
John Jermyn (Cork C of I)
Eugene Magee (Dragons)
Geoff McCabe (Santander)
Bruce McCandless (Banbridge)
Andy McConnell (Hurley)
Ian Sloan (Cookstown)
Michael Watt (Santander)

Paul Revington (Coach)
Arul Anthoni (Asst Coach & Manager)
David Richards (Physio)
Stephen Barry (S&C/Video)

Match Schedule:
Tuesday 26th July Ireland v Korea 15.30
Wednesday 27th July Ireland v Australia 16.00
Friday 29th July Ireland v Argentina 16.00
Saturday 30th July Ireland v France 17.30

24 teams from 12 countries have made the cut, with 15 sides from last season’s event re-qualifying for the 2011-2012 competition. There are three first time participants joining the tournament next season, with Germany’s Uhlenhorst Mülheim and Irish duo Banbridge and Cookstown making their debut appearances when the tournament gets underway in October.

Six other teams return for another crack at the EHL following a period of absence: Amsterdam H&BC (NED), H.C. Rotterdam (NED), Der Club an der Alster (GER), Dinamo Elektrostal (RUS), AHTC Wien (AUT), Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia (UKR) and Rotweiss Wettingen (SUI).

The top four ranked nations will each have three teams competing in the tournament. The Netherlands is top of the ranking pile, with Taeke Taekema’s Hoofdklasse champions Amsterdam H&BC being joined by 2009 winners HC Bloemendaal and H.C. Rotterdam, the 2010 runner’s up. Amsterdam and Rotterdam re-join the EHL following a one season absence, earning the right to play in the competition with strong performances in the 2010-11 Edition of the Dutch National League. They replace Oranje Zwart and HGC, the reigning Euro Hockey League champions who failed to qualify due to a ninth place finish in their domestic league.

Spain is second in the rankings and will be represented by the same teams as last year: Atlétic Terrassa (1), EHL 2010-11 finalists Club de Campo (2) and Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (3). England is third in the rankings, and like Spain will also see the same representation with Beeston (1), East Grinstead (2) and EHL 2010-11 Bronze Medallists Reading HC (3).  

Fourth-ranked Germany will be represented by two new teams, with league champions Der Club an der Alster and second placed Uhlenhorst Mülheim joining ever-present two times champions UHC Hamburg. Alster and Mülheim replace Mannheimer HC and Rot-Weiss Köln in next season’s Euro Hockey League.

For the second successive season, Belgium will be represented by KHC Dragons and Racing Club de Bruxelles, although the EHL will be blessed by two new teams from Ireland with Banbridge and Cookstown making their first appearances. WKS Grunwald Poznan and Pomorzanin Torun have qualified to represent Poland, while Russia’s Dinamo Kazan and Dinamo Elektrostal will also feature.

 The line up for the 2011-2012 tournament will be completed by CA Montrouge (France), AHTC Wien (Austria), Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia (Ukraine) and Rotweiss Wettigen (Switzerland).

Rank            Nation               Club 1                           Club 2                                 Club 3
1                  NED                 Amsterdam H&BC          HC Bloemendaal                  HC Rotterdam
2                  ESP                  Atletic Terrassa             Club de Campo                    Real Club de Polo
3                  ENG                 Beeston HC                   East Grinstead HC               Reading HC
4                  GER                 Der Club an der Alster    Uhlenhorst Mülheim             UHC Hamburg
5                  BEL                  KHC Dragons                Racing Club de Bruxelles
6                  IRL                   #1  Banbridge             #2  Cookstown
7                 POL                  WKS Grunwald               Pomorzanin Torun
8                 RUS                  Dinamo Kazan                Dinamo Elektrostal
9                 FRA                  CA Montrouge
10              AUT                    AHTC Wien
11              UKR                   Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia
12              SUI                     Rotweiss Wettingen

As you are by now aware, our First XI have qualified to take part in the Euro Hockey League next season.  It is the intention of the Club to organise a Tour Party to follow the team in their European Adventure.  Would you like to join us?  If so read on and then let us know if you want to be part of the BIG TRIP!!!

This notice is just to outline a little more of the detail regarding the proposed trip and how we intend to progress in the weeks and months ahead.  Note that nothing is guaranteed or final until we are advised of more detail by the European Hockey Federation and Euro Hockey League organisers.  Below are listed some points you may find of use at this stage:
 

• Places on the Official Banbridge Hockey Club Group Trip will be open to members and their wives/husbands/partners/children only.
• Associate membership is available to those not currently members at a cost of £30 per person which can be added to the travel deposit.
• Those travelling will be responsible for providing their own travel insurance.
• The total cost of the trip has been tentatively priced at approx £350.00stg.  This is based on flights, transfers, and a two night stay at the tournament venue.  We will be seeking to keep the trip as affordable as possible.
• Accommodation will be provided on a Bed and Breakfast basis only.
• Entry to the matches will be the responsibility of the individuals travelling.
• A deposit will be required by the end of July 2011 with the balance, when known, payable within seven days from date of notification (likely to be in late August or early September).
• Round 1 will be played on either weekend 7-9 October 2011 or weekend 21-23 October 2011. 
• Further details on venue and date will be advised ASAP.   

 
In order that we may start to bring some order to our planning we intend to progress as outlined below:

• Given the terms outlined above, please notify us if you are still interested in travelling as part of the official Club Party.  Please do this by e-mail to patrickdgrimes@hotmail.com
• We would like you to confirm your continued intention to travel by way of a deposit of £150.00stg per person to Walter Cosgrove, 34 Oakdale, Banbridge, on or before 31 July 2011.
• Your deposit should be accompanied by a photocopy of the photographic page of your passport, which should be valid up to and including November 2011.
• It is hoped to hold an information night in the club nearer the time to further advice those travelling of more exact details.   

 
The above will enable us to start formalising our plans immediately upon receipt of further information regarding the Tournament.
 
Should you have any further queries, or if you would like a little further information prior to confirming your place on the trip please do not hesitate to contact Walter Cosgrove, John Bell, Neil Madeley, Eugene Magee Snr. or Paddy Grimes.
 
Please also note that our fundraising activities in relation to the European adventure will begin in early August.  Please keep up to date with all the going’s on at the club here at www.banbridgehockeyclub.com.
 
We look forward to hearing from you in due course.
 
Regards
 
Paddy Grimes
For and on behalf of Banbridge Hockey Club

For the Celtic Cup, which gets underway on Friday at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, the Irish coach has named an inexperienced selection with eight of 18 making their tournament debuts.

Indeed, Three Rock goalkeeper Stephen West and former club mate Kyle Good could make their debut in Wales. Chris Cargo returns to this panel having claimed a bronze last Sunday in the EuroHockey League with Reading for his first international appearance of the summer.

Ever presents from the Wales’ series, Andy McConnell, Ronan Flannery and John Jackson are included in this first selection.

Revington subsequently makes 17 changes then for the high profile UCD4 Nations tournament gets underway in Dublin on Monday with Pakistan, France and China visiting Belfield. David Ames, pictured, is the only player in line to play in both tournaments with the latter certainly featuring the more established names.

Again, there are a few possible newcomers with teenage prospect Ian Sloan – son of Irish legend Marty who captained the country over 100 times – included along with Leaving Cert student Shane O’Donoghue.

Loughborough’s Stu Loughrey is the other inexperienced name but captain Ronan Gormley is back involved, again following an EHL medal, silver with Spanish side Club de Campo.

Beyond that trio, 12 of the side have over 50 caps – Joe Brennan the latest of them, hitting the half-century against Wales on Sunday. In the Welsh series, Ireland used 27 players while, over the next 12 days, that number will rise to 35.

Speaking about the two selections, Revington said: “Both events take place very close to one another and while school and university exams have also dictated how we select through this period, this challenge allows the squad another opportunity to test our strength in depth and also expose several younger players to a higher level of international competition.”

Irish Celtic Cup Squad (caps in brackets, June 17-19, Sophia Gardens): David Ames (Beeston, 32), Peter Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers, 16), Jonny Bruton (YMCA, 2), Chris Cargo (Reading, 18), Kenny Carroll (Railway Union, 2), Davy Carson (Corinthian, 3), Peter Caruth (Annadale, 27), David Fitzgerald (Monkstown, 2), Ronan Flannery (Pembroke, 4), Paul Gleghorne (Instonians, 25), Kyle Good (Monkstown, 0), John Jackson (Mossley, 59), Jason Lynch (Lisnagarvey, 12), Michael Maguire (Three Rock Rovers, 13), Andy McConnell (Hurley, 33), Richard Sykes (Monkstown, 1), Gareth Watkins (Monkstown, 9), Stephen West (Three Rock Rovers, 0)

Coach: Paul Revington
Manager: Peter Jackson
Physio: David Richards
S&C/Video: Jonny Caren

UCD 4 Nations Squad (June 20-25, Belfield): David Ames (Beeston, 32), Joe Brennan (Glenanne, 50), Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey, 114), Mitch Darling (Den Bosch, 59), Ronan Gormley, Ronan (Club de Campo, 112), Conor Harte (SCHC, 58), David Harte (SCHC, 62), John Jermyn (Cork Church of Ireland, 118), Tim Lewis (Krefelder, 70), Stu Loughrey (Loughborough, 2), Eugene Magee (Dragons, 118), Phelie Maguire (Leuven, 94), Geoff McCabe (Santander, 80), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge, 14), Shane O’Donoghue (Glenanne, 1), Ian Sloan (Cookstown, 0), Iain Walker (YMCA, 31), Mikey Watt (Santander, 70)

Coach: Paul Revington
Manager: Peter Jackson
Assistant Coach: Arul Anthoni
Physio: David Richards
S&C/Video: Stephen Barry
Video: Tristan Seaton-Stedham

UCD 4 NATIONS SCHEDULE

China
Pakistan
France
Ireland

The Irish Hockey League (IHL) has just ended its third season, replacing the old end-of-season All-Ireland playoff format and bringing the country’s top teams into more regular battle throughout the campaign.

The IHL working group has released a proposal document which suggests a revamp of the tournament, reducing the number of competing teams from 12 to 10 while removing those clubs from their domestic leagues. Competing clubs would still be free to play in the Irish Senior Cup and domestic cup competitions.

Teams would play each other on a home and away basis, giving each 18 games a season — compared to between five and seven under the current, two-pool format — with the winners taking the first of Ireland’s European qualification spots.

The second European berth would be available via a finals weekend that would see the IHL and Irish Senior Cup winners play off against the top two to emerge from a preliminary round involving the ISC runners up and second, third and fourth-placed teams from the IHL.

The year one proposal for the composition of the league sees four Ulster, four Leinster and two Munster teams included in the men’s competition. The women’s league would comprise three from Ulster and Leinster, two from Munster and two wildcards.

It is also envisaged that regional representation would be maintained via a safety net guaranteeing at least one participant from each province, for the first couple of seasons at least.

The 10th-placed team would be automatically relegated to their provincial league, with the ninth-placed side entering a wildcard competition with the provincial winners. The top two teams here would qualify for the following season’s IHL.

As well as aiming to improve the standard of competition, the proposal aims to alleviate a problem within Irish hockey which sees players on IHL teams play 30-40 games a season — before interprovincial, international and schools commitments are factored in.

With just 30 competitive weekends available throughout the season — and with icy weather scratching off a couple of those in recent years — there are concerns over both the volume of hockey played and how much of is condensed into the back end of the season, particularly those who reach the business end of national competitions.

This season’s IHL winners and ISC semi-finalists Banbridge for example, played 35 games compared to the 22 played by their Ulster counterparts Mossley.

While it is envisaged that removing the top sides from provincial leagues would also result in more competitive provincial leagues, the situation is complicated by a proposal within Munster regarding reducing the domestic men’s league there to just four teams next term.

The southern province are likely to have the biggest fears over travel costs, too; a risk which is acknowledged by the IHL working group, along with the potential migration of players to IHL clubs and players dropping out due to an unwillingness or inability to commit to the increased travelling.

However, the working group maintains that “while there are risks, there are actions that can be taken to mitigate all of (these)”.

While no timeframe for implementation has been outlined, the group is inviting submissions from those within the spot before August, when it is intended to take a ‘roadshow’ approach to get feedback on the proposal from around the provinces. Submissions can be made via email to marketing@hockey.ie.