Hockey in Ireland
IRL
FIH Rankings
Green Army: the Irish World Cup miracle keeps echoing
— CULTIrish hockey occupies a unique position in the international landscape: a small country with an amateur model that consistently produces global top-ten performances at major tournaments. Hockey Ireland coordinates both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, allowing the national team to draw players from the entire island. Clubs like Pembroke Wanderers, UCD, Loreto and Railway Union in Dublin, supplemented by Northern Irish clubs such as Pegasus and Belfast Harlequins, form the core of Irish top hockey.
What culturally sets Ireland apart is the Green Army: a supporters' movement that broke through as a cultural sensation during the 2018 World Cup in London. The historic silver medal at that tournament, where Ireland beat Spain on shoot-outs in the semi-final, transformed Irish women's hockey from a fringe sport to a national pride. Goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran was named goalkeeper of the tournament, and the story of an amateur team reaching the world's top struck a chord that still echoes today.
The structural challenge for Ireland remains the combination of amateur status with global ambitions. Players work or study alongside their sports careers, with limited state subsidy compared to countries like the Netherlands, Germany or the United States. Under head coach Sean Dancer, Ireland builds on the foundations of Graham Shaw, who led the team to that World Cup final. The 2026 World Cup is no longer a debut for the Green Army but a second chance to prove that London 2018 was no fluke.
Everything you want to know about hockey in Ireland
— LAYERSNational Hockey Federation
website: September 2026
The latest news
- EY Hockey League roars into life as title holders make winning starts.
- EY Hockey League opening weekend sets the tone for season ahead
- Hockey Mondays Episode #150 – The EY Hockey League Season 2026/27 Preview!
- Fine margins, fierce competition: EY Hockey League returns for 2026/27
- Game Changers Shine at FIH Young Ambassador Programme
National men's team
ranked 11 FIHIn March 2026, in Santiago, Ireland did something it had not managed in eight years: qualify for a World Cup, and unbeaten at that. Five matches, five wins, topped off by a 2-1 in the final against France in which goalkeeper Jaime Carr kept his team standing with three world-class saves and youngster Greg Williams supplied both goals from the penalty corner. The Green Machine is back on the biggest stage.
But what kind of team is coming back? A country without a professional league, which exports its best players to Belgium and the Netherlands, and which is the clear outsider in a brutal pool with Australia, Spain and South Africa. Even so, in June Ireland still kept pace with pool rival South Africa (3-3). In the dossier you can read how head coach Mark Tumilty turned Ireland into an attacking side, who the leaders of this generation are, and whether the bet on "front foot" hockey holds up against the professional machines of Wavre.
National women's team
ranked 13 FIHThree goalkeepers, one spot. Lizzie Murphy kept Ireland alive with two shoot-out saves in Santiago and sent the Green Army to the World Cup; Ayeisha McFerran, best goalkeeper of the 2018 tournament, returned from injury at England's Surbiton in June 2026; and Holly Micklem waits in the wings. It is the fiercest internal battle in Irish women's hockey, and a symbol of a team that has lived on the razor's edge for years.
Ireland is no longer an accidental World Cup entrant. Almost half the squad now plays in the Belgian league or the Dutch Hoofdklasse, with captain Sarah Hawkshaw and Roisin Upton sharing an apartment in Antwerp at Braxgata. Read here how a semi-professional team from across the whole island is gearing up for a World Cup pool with host Belgium, Spain and New Zealand.
National club competition
website: September 2026
FIH certified hockey fields
33 certified (4 expired)Category 2
8 certified (2 expired)Fields for international and top-level national competitions.
- Banbridge Hockey Club, BanbridgePolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB EL15Valid until: Oct 20, 2026
- Instonians Hockey Club, BelfastEdel GrassEdel ID EL15 SystemValid until: Sep 12, 2027
- Queens University - Pitch 7, BelfastFieldTurfHockey Gold Speed L 13-31 IS15Valid until: Jan 17, 2027
- Avoca - Newpark, DublinEdel GrassEdel ID. EL15 SystemValid until: Oct 3, 2026
- Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club, DublinPolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB EL15Valid until: Sep 12, 2027Built by Haffey Sportsgrounds
- University College Dublin, DublinAstroTurfAstroTurf Hockey XLR8 43-16-13 E-Layer 15Valid until: Jun 4, 2027
- Wesley College, DublinGreenfieldsGreenfields TX Pro + EL15Valid until: Nov 7, 2026
- Temple Carrig School, GreystonesPolytanPOLIGRAS PARIS GT ZERO 11-43 MB EL 10Valid until: Oct 8, 2027
- Garryduff Sports Centre, GarryduffexpiredPolytanPoligras Platinum GT 11-42 MB EL 15Expired: Apr 27, 2026
- Ulster University - Jordanstown, NewtonabbeyexpiredPolytanPoligras Tokyo GT 11-43 MB EL 15Expired: Jul 19, 2026
Category 3
24 certified (2 expired)Fields for lower-level national, regional and club play.
- Ballycastle High School, BallycastleFieldTurfHockey Gold Pro 2.0 16-20.5 IS15Valid until: May 14, 2028Built by TONY PATTERSON SPORTS GROUNDS LTD
- Riada Hockey Pitch, BallymoneyLano SportsS-tec Connection Xplore IS 15Valid until: Aug 19, 2027
- Pirrie Park Playingfields (Pitch 1), BelfastLano SportsS-tec Connection Xplore IS 15Valid until: Oct 27, 2027
- Pirrie Park Playingfields (Pitch 2), BelfastLano SportsS-tec Connection Xplore IS 15Valid until: Oct 27, 2027
- Queens University - Pitch 5, BelfastSports & LeisureDomo Hockey Xtreme MDC Ultra M Insitu 15Valid until: Dec 12, 2027
- Clonakilty Sports Complex, ClonakiltySIS PitchesSIS Turf XcelValid until: Jun 7, 2027
- Presentation Secondary School Clonmel, ClonmelAct Global#AllStar 18-280 SPT10 SValid until: Oct 16, 2027
- Cork Harlequins Hockey Club, CorkAct Global#AllStar 22-260 ISR15 SValid until: Sep 4, 2028
- Down High School, DownpatrickGreenfieldsGREENFIELDS TX SD S EL15Valid until: Oct 2, 2027Built by TONY PATTERSON SPORTS GROUNDS LTD
- Loreto Foxrock School, DublinSIS PitchesSIS Turf Xcel (VRS)Valid until: Mar 30, 2028Built by SIS Pitches
- Mount Sackville Secondary School, DublinPolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB EL10Valid until: Aug 28, 2028
- St Columba's College, DublinCC GrassFastPro HF18 + Insitu 15Valid until: Dec 16, 2028
- St. Andrew's College, DublinFieldTurfHockey Gold Pro 2.0 16-20.5 IS 15Valid until: Mar 31, 2028Built by TONY PATTERSON SPORTS GROUNDS LTD
- Wesley College, DublinGreenfieldsGreenfields TX SDS EL 15Valid until: Aug 13, 2028Built by Tony Patterson Sports Grounds
- YMCA Sandymount, DublinSIS PitchesSIS Turf XcelValid until: Oct 26, 2026
- Dundalk Grammar School, DundalkFieldTurfHockey Gold Pro 2.0 16-20.5 IS15Valid until: Oct 29, 2027
- Astro Active Centre, EnniscorthyLano SportsS-tec Integration Xplore IS 15Valid until: Sep 2, 2027
- Catholic Institute, LimerickFieldTurfHockey Gold Pro 2.0 16-20.5 IS15Valid until: Sep 24, 2028Built by Tony Patterson
- Crescent Comprehensive College, LimerickGreenfieldsGreenfields TX SD s EL15Valid until: Oct 24, 2028Built by Tony Patterson
- Villiers School, LimerickFieldTurfHockey Gold Pro 2.0 16-20.5 IS15Valid until: Sep 24, 2028Built by Tony Patterson
- Rainey Endowed School, MagherafelGreenfieldsGREENFIELDS TX SD S EL15Valid until: Nov 15, 2027Built by TONY PATTERSON SPORTS GROUNDS LTD
- Belfast Royal Academy, NewtonabbeySports & Leisure - Domo Sports GrassDomo hockey xtreme mdc/is15Valid until: Jul 31, 2028
- Londonderry Park, NewtownardsEdel GrassEdel H20 Sand obscuredValid until: May 7, 2027
- The Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, RaphoeFieldTurfHockey Gold Pro 2.0 16.5 IS15Valid until: Jul 16, 2027
- Ulidia Integrated College, CarrickfergusexpiredGreenfieldsGreenfields TX SD s EL15Expired: Sep 8, 2026
- Dungannon Royal School, DungannonexpiredDomo Sports GrassDomo Hockey Xtreme MDC Ultra M Insitu 15Expired: Aug 16, 2026
Dry Turf field
1 certifiedFields with enhanced playing qualities without water, used for national and local competitions.
- Mount Sackville Secondary School, DublinPolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB EL10Valid until: Oct 13, 2028
Coaches
Coming soon
Referees
Coming soon
Ireland hockey teams at the FIH WC 2026
— WK26Wavre, België
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BEL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 7 |
| 2 | ESP | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 |
| 3 | IRL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | NZL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 0 |
Ireland finished 3rd in Pool C and play in Pool H in phase 2. Their new opponents come from Pool B: United States (3rd) and Scotland (4th). Pool rival New Zealand (4th in Pool C) is also in Pool H; that match was already played in phase 1. Pool H competes for places 9 to 16.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 7 |
| 2 | SCO | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 | IRL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | NZL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 1 |
Knockout phase
Wavre, België
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AUS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 |
| 2 | ESP | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | IRL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | RSA | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
Ireland finished 3rd in Pool C and play in Pool H in phase 2. Their new opponents come from Pool B: France (3rd) and Malaysia (4th). Pool rival South Africa (4th in Pool C) is also in Pool H; that match was already played in phase 1. Pool H competes for places 9 to 16.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IRL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | RSA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 4 |
| 3 | FRA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 4 |
| 4 | MAS | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 2 |
Knockout phase
Historical highlights Ireland
— HIST1894
Foundation of the Irish Ladies Hockey Union
The ILHU is founded, one of the oldest women's federations in the world.
1896
First women's international in the world
Ireland 2-0 England in Dublin, the very first international in women's field hockey.
2018
World Cup silver in London
World Cup silver in London, the breakthrough of modern Irish women's hockey.
2018
Ayeisha McFerran named best goalkeeper of the World Cup
McFerran is named the best goalkeeper of the World Cup.
2021
Olympic debut in Tokyo
Ireland plays its first Games and finishes tenth.
2026
Return to the World Cup in Wavre
Ireland returns to the World Cup, with the pool matches in Wavre.
2026
World Cup 2026
Women: 13th place. Men: 10th place.