News

Galway host European indoor hockey

24 February 2010

European indoor hockey comes to Ireland for the first time this weekend when Galway host the Club Champions Challenge 2010.

Hosts Galway Hockey Club will compete in this prestigous tournament against teams from Wales, Sweden and the Czech Republic over the next three days.

Galway Hockey Club Indoor Team: Back Row (l-r) Tara Browne, Elaine Newell, Louise Conlon, Maeve Faherty, Michelle Carey, Dee Hatton, coach Richard Malone. Front Row (l-r) Elaine Carey, Claire Heskin, Louise Fahy, Lynsey Trainor, Emma Glanville.

This will be Galway’s second consecutive year representing Ireland in the competition, having travelled to Lousada Portugal in 2009 where they impressed in their first European contest, finishing fourth overall in a tough group which included teams from Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, and Wales.

Over the last number of years Galway Hockey Club has matched its outdoor success indoors, and with a squad of past and present Irish players, coached by the current Ireland u-18 team coach Richard Malone, GHC are serious contenders.

Club president Donal Dempsey says the event is a”unique opportunity for the club, team, players and members”, and also a massive challenge. “Never in the history of hockey in Ireland has any club from the west of Ireland been selected to host such a major European event such as this. It is truly a reflection on the great strides the club and its members have made in recent years.”

The tournament kicks off tomorrow and finishes on Sunday with four international matches taking place in NUIG Kingfisher Sports Hall each day. Admission is free.