Irish Hockey League
The IHL got underway in mid October with UCD facing Hermes in their first match. The end result was 3-2, Hermes gaining the 3 points for a win and UCD walking away with a point for losing by only a goal.
For a review of the match click here Match Review
And you can find photos from the first IHL weekend here Flickr photos and here IHL photos
Our 1sts finished 5th in Division 1 Leinster Senior League last season and as a result of this qualified for the Irish Hockey League’s wildcard playoff (previsouly called the All Ireland League). They won these playoffs with ease and so are this year in Ireland’s first Irish Hockey League.
The aim of the IHL is to increase spectator value and exposure of the sport and to increase competitiveness of domestic Irish hockey.
Competition Format
The are 12 participating teams, 4 from Leinster and Ulster, 2 from Munster and 2 more teams who qualified at the IHL Wildcard Playoff in May. The teams are split into 2 pools of 6, each playing 5 games. These games are played concurrently throughout the season in conjunction with the provincial leagues. The winner of the AIL will represent the IHA in the senior EHF tournament in the following season.
Teams competing include:
Pool A; Pegasus, Loreto, Railway, Randalstown, Cork C of I, Belfast Harlequins,
Pool B; Hermes, Ballymoney, Pembroke, Armagh, Cork Harlequins, and UCD.
