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.
More about Ireland
— LAYERSNational women's team
ranked 12 FIHThe Green Army returns to the World Cup with Ayeisha McFerran as shoot-out specialist in goal and a squad coming out of the Women's Irish Hockey League. Under head coach Sean Dancer, Ireland plays a high-energy physical game built on a settled defensive structure and pragmatic circle efficiency in attack.
What sets Ireland apart is the combination of an amateur model and global experience. The 2018 World Cup silver remains the cultural turning point that put Irish women's hockey on the map. At the 2026 World Cup Ireland sits in Pool C in Wavre against co-host Belgium, Spain and New Zealand. The opener against Spain is loaded straightaway by the memory of that semi-final in London.
National men's team
ranked 10 FIHFederation
image: August 2026
- Hockey Mondays Episode #143 – The EuroHockey U21 Championship Preview!
- Summer of Hockey: Umpire & Technical Official Appointments
- Ireland U21 Women’s Squad announced for EuroHockey U21 Championship
- Ireland U21 Men’s Squad announced for EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A
- Hockey Ireland Among Recipients of 2026 Women in Sport Funding
Clubs
Coming soon
Certified fields
35 certified (2 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
26 certifiedFields 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
- Ulidia Integrated College, CarrickfergusGreenfieldsGreenfields TX SD s EL15Valid until: Sep 8, 2026
- 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
- Dungannon Royal School, DungannonDomo Sports GrassDomo Hockey Xtreme MDC Ultra M Insitu 15Valid until: Aug 16, 2026
- 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, NewtonabbeyDomo Sports GrassDomo Hockey Xtreme MDC/IS15Valid until: Aug 31, 2026
- 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
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
Historical highlights
— 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.