Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all our players, coaches, parents, sponsors and supporters!

We have had an amazing year, celebrating our 125th season, our adventure to Rotterdam, the Ladies 3s Cup success and the laying of our new pitch are just some of the highlights and we could not have done it without the support of all the above and then some!

We look forward to welcoming everybody to Grange Road in 2019 for another great year!

Indoor Clinic
The Men’s Indoor squad are hosting a series of Indoor Clinic between the 27th & 30th of December as part of their fundraising effort ahead of their trip to Oslo in the New Year!

WHEN: 27th to 30th of December, 11am – 1pm daily
AGE: 10 – 16 yrs old
PRICE: 30 for 1 Day, 50 for 2 Days & 90 for 4 Days

CONTACT: Dylan at dylan.shirley2@gmail.com for more information and to book your spot/s!

Irish Under 16s
Congrats to Izzy Bowen, Ben Ryder, Ben Whelan and Adam Galbraith on their selection for the Irish Under 16s Girls and Boys squads in the past couple of weeks as part of the teams preparations for their respective tournaments in 2019!

Neville Cup
The final game of the 2018 is the Neville Cup final as the Men’s 1/2s take on Corinthians at 2pm in Serpentine Avenue (Pembroke Hockey Club) on December 26th. Why not shed some of the turkey pounds by supporting the gents and finish a great year on a high!

RTE Sport Awards 2018
There is plenty of hockey interest in the Sports Awards this year after the phenomenal summer performance by the Irish Ladies Senior team in London. They are up for three awards in total!

Sportsperson of the Year: Ayeisha McFerran
Sports Manager of the Year: Graham Shaw
Sports Team of the Year: Irish Womens Hockey Team

Voting details will be provided at the start of the show, so you have to be watching to find out how you can help the Ladies get the recognition that they deserve!

SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE ! Find out more on RTE SPORT

Men’s Odisha World Cup
As hard as it was to see the Men’s side miss out on the knockout stage in Bhubaneswar, we are immensely proud of Mitch, Daragh and Luke and the whole team and management for how they represented Irish hockey and performed so admirably!

Results & Fixtures

Results
X8 6th Class Team 4 – draw
Minor A – lose
Inter A – win
Inter B – win
Inter C – lose
Under 16a Cup – win – sets up a semi final against TRRHC 16b

For the second weekend running all Ladies sides won their respective games! The firsts beat Monkstown 1-0 on back pitch, the 2s put 7 past Monkstown in Rathdown and the the 3s beat Botanic 4-1 at HQ! Ahead of this weekend the 1s are in 3rd place in Division 2, the 2s are 2nd in Division 6 and the 3s are TOP OF DIVISION 10! Keep up the smashing work ladies!

On the men’s side the 4s & 5s had a double header against Railway at HQ. The 4s game out 5-2 winners, while Railway returned to Park Avenue with 3 points from the 5s game as they won out 3-0.

Fixtures
There are 7 senior sides in action this weekend, the Youths section has concluded for the year and will be back in January 2019, parents have their weekend mornings back for a little bit!

Ladies
L1 v Old Alex (A) @ 13:15 – water base
L2 v Newbridge (A) @ 10.30
L3 v Portrane (A) @ 11:30

Men’s
M2 vs Avoca (H) @ 13:00 – Front
M3 vs Monkstown (H) @ 15:00 – Front
M4 vs Dublin North (A) @12:00 – NSC, Abbotstown
M5 vs Monkstown (A) @14:00 – Sand based

Christmas Trees
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, or is it just the weather and not people’s attitude quite yet?

Either way Christmas Trees will be on sale at Tree Rock from this Saturday, December 1st. The club will get a contribution from the sales, if you haven’t bought one from the club before maybe this is the year you, turn over a new leaf, branch out?
Every little helps as they say!

Fixtures
Saturday
All Ladies sides are Away in Cup action this weekend with the pick of the games being the Ladies 1s in Irish Hockey Trophy action in Bandon (Cork) at 2.30pm. The ladies 2s make the short trip down Grange Road to face Loreto Ladies, while the 3s travel to Navan for a 3pm tip off for the start of their defense of their crown!

While at HQ, the Men’s 2s and 4s are in Cup action. Both games are on front pitch, with the 2s facing YMCA in Railway Cup at 12pm. The 4s follow at 2pm in Intermediate Cup action against Rathgar.

Sunday
On Sunday the Men’s 1s, 3s and 5s are in Cup action alongside a busy schedule for the Youths section.
The Men’s are in Mills Cup action against Clontarf at Grange Road at 3.15pm on front pitch, while the 3s travel to Park Avenue to face Railway Union in the Railway Cup at 3.30pm. Lunch time entertainment is provided by the Men’s 5s who make the trip down to East Glendalough School for the second successive weekend to face Wicklow 2s in the Junior Cup at 1.30pm.

There is 12 games for the Youth section this weekend!

6th Class girls are all playing Muckross with team times as follows
Team 1 @ 9.15am on front pitch
Team 2 @ 4.30pm on back pitch
Team 3 @ 10.45am on front pitch
Team 4 @ 12.15pm on front pitch

1st year girls are facing Naas and Pembroke
Team 1 & 2 versus Naas on front pitch at 10.45 and 12.15 respectively
Team 3 play Pembroke at 9.15 on front pitch

The Inter A girls face Railway Union in the second round of the Junior Jacqui Potter Cup at 5.30pm on front pitch. While the Inter C team tackle Naas at 1.45pm at HQ.

On the boys side, the Under 16 Bs and Under 14 As travel to face Enniscorthy. The Under 16s tackle them in the Cup at 11.30am, while the Under 14s face them in the league at 10am. Last, but by no means least, the Under 14 Bs travel to play Bray in a friendly at 4pm.

Plenty of Hockey to keep you occupied this weekend, who needs the World Cup right?

On that note the Irish Men, including Mitch, Daragh and Luke, will face Australia at 11.30am on Friday morning in Bhubaneswar live on BT SPORT!

Calling all those aged 18-30 involved in hockey!

The European Hockey Federation is holding a Youth Leadership Festival from 13-17 August 2019 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Hockey Ireland are running a competition for the two places open to Ireland.
The prize includes entry to the Youth Leadership Festival, flights, accommodation, food and some tickets to the European Championships in Antwerp!

Entries should be in the form of a video highlighting the applicant’s engagement with hockey.
We are looking for young leaders in Hockey…….maybe you are running or started something hockey-related in your school or club……mobilised a team of people to deliver an event……. maybe you have a great idea that you want to make happen? We’d love to hear and see your story!!!

Those chosen will be representing hockey in Ireland at this festival. This is a fabulous opportunity to spend some time with young, hockey-mad enthusiasts, have fun, learn from each other and see some great hockey!

Closing date for entries: 15 January 2019
to: nationalchildrensofficer@hockey.ie

Irish Under 16s
Congratulations to Izzy Bowen on her selection as part of the Irish Under 16s Girls squad announced in the last week after a series of trial days. Well done Izzy and hopefully she is the first of many girls to make the grade!

Successful Super Saturday
November 17th was a very good day, on and off the pitch, for the Club! On the pitch we had 6 sides in action after the Men’s 3s game was postponed due to Enniscorthy crying off.

On the Men’s side a total of 17 goals were scored and only 2 conceded in 3 games as the 2s, 4s and 5s all came away with victories. The 2s beat Clontarf 12-1 at Clontarf, the 4s came away from Kilkenny with an excellent draw and were unlucky to not win, while the 5s put Wicklow to the sword in the second half with a 4-0 win.

However, the Ladies sides went one better with all sides winning and keeping clean sheets with a total of 11 goals scored between them at Grange Road! The 1s beat Muckross 1-0, the 2s put 3 past Dublin North and the 3s stole the show with an 8-0 whitewash of Monkstown which leaves them joint top of their League with a game less played!

Progressing off the pitch of sorts, we had the official pitch opening at 12.15pm with Pauline opening the back pitch ahead of the Ladies 1s game with assistance from the Rockets. In the evening, the men’s firsts ran a successful #RoversRoadtoEindhoven fundraiser in the clubhouse alongside the Rugby and raised about 1200 euro!

It really was a Super Saturday on and off the pitch for the whole club!

Fixtures- November 24th
Men’s
M1 v Annadale @3pm in the Irish Senior Cup on front pitch
M2 v YMCA @3.15pm in Division 2 at Wesley College
M3 v Enniscorthy @3pm in Division 3 on the back pitch

Ladies
L1 v Dublin North @1pm in Division 2 on front pitch
L2 v Trinity @11.15am in Division 6 at Santry Sports Grounds
L3 v Bray @1pm in Division 10 at Loreto Bray

Youths-SUNDAY
Minor T1 v Clontarf (A) @9.30am
Minor T2 v Pembroke (A) @11.45am

Under 14 A v Avoca (H) in Cup action @3pm at HQ
Under 14 C v Weston (H) @1.45pm at Grange Road

Under 16 A v YMCA (A)
Under 16 B v Kilkenny (A)

EHL details
The KO16 details for the Men’s firsts game next April were announced last week. They will play KHC Dragons on April 17th at 3pm in Eindhoven.

A ticket for a single day is 20 euro for anyone 17 yrs+ and 10 euro for 5-16 yrs old.
A ticket for the whole event from April 17th to the 22nd is 120 for anyone 17 yrs+ and 60 euro for 5-16 yrs old. Buy your tickets here: https://ehlhockey.tv/tickets/

Get organising the groups, booking the hotels, B&Bs or hostels and be part of Rovers Roar next April in Eindhoven!

Training Top EHL fundraiser
Another way you can be part of #RoversRoadtoEindhoven is by purchasing a Navy training top, with Three Rock Rovers printed on it. from Kevin Mullins for 10 euro. Every little bit helps and is very much appreciated by the Men’s firsts squad!
Send Kevin a message or email to put your order in by stating the size/s you want and your full name to make sure no one misses out
Contact Kevin:
Mobile – 08622466263
Email – kevinmullins539@gmail.com

National Umpiring Training Course
The IHUA will be running two courses this December for those interested in becoming an umpire at any level! The cost is 45 euro and the course days run from 10am to 4.45pm

Both courses will be run by highly experienced and qualified umpires, including International Umpires. The course will have a number of videos taken from local hockey matches.
The course dates are as follows:

2 December 2018 at Kilkenny Hotel (Closing date for booking 28 November)

9 December 2018 at Pembroke Wanderers HC (Closing date for booking 5 December)

Book Your place now at: COURSE PAYMENT LINK

On completion of the Rules Test on the day of the course, the National Umpires Award is gained by participants

You will not have to become a F/T umpire if you don’t want to, you can use this as a confidence boost for when you’re asked to umpire a game by a team.

Juniors
The busy weekend does not end on Saturday with the Juniors, as usual, running the Club on Sunday.
The Under 16 A girls are in Junior Jacqui Potter Cup action away to Genesis at 1pm.
The Under 16 A Boys play Atlantic at 1.30pm at home on back pitch.
The Under 14 B Boys play Corinthians at 1.30pm on front pitch.

All other juniors are training as normal unless told otherwise by Chris.

Plenty of hockey to feast your eyes on this wekend!

#RoversRoadtoEindhoven
Alongside the cocktail party the men’s firsts are selling "Three Rock Rovers" navy training tops for 10 euro per top. The sizes available are XXS – XL.
Contact Kevin Mullins on 086 2246263 or kevinmullins539@gmail.com with the size/s you want and providing your full name so that no one misses out!

Umpire Appointments
Congratulations to Ali Keogh and the Ladies 1s coach Rob Abbot on their respective EHF umpiring appointments for next year!
Ali will be officiating at the Women’s Club Cup in Holland and the Nations Championship in Belguim, while Rob will be officiating at the Men’s Junior Championship III in Lithuania!

November 17th promises to be a big day at HQ! There will be a total of 6 games at Grange Road between 11am and 4.30pm! 3 Ladies sides, two Men’s sides and Loreto Ladies 1st in EYHL action.
The Back pitch grand opening takes place at 12.15pm, followed by the cocktail party from 6.30pm and Ireland versus New Zealand on the TV with the bar open ALL DAY and the kitchen will be open provided an excellent selection for a post match meal!

November 17th Schedule
11am
Front Pitch- Ladies 3s versus Monkstown in Division 10
Back Pitch- Ladies 2s versus Dublin North in Division 6

12.15pm
Back pitch Grand Opening

1.00pm
Front Pitch- Men’s 2s versus Clontarf in Division 2
Back Pitch- Ladies 1s versus Muckross in Division 2

2.50pm
Back Pitch- Loreto Ladies 1s versus Belfast Harlequins in EYHL action

3.00pm
Front Pitch- Men’s 3s versus Enniscorthy in Division 3

6.30pm
Cocktail Party until late with the Guinness Series from the Aviva on TV!
It is 10 euro, payable on the door, for the cocktail party.

What a day we have in store at the Club!

That is not the only hockey in store on Saturday with the Men’s 4s and 5s having away days in the morning and afternoon respectively.
The Men’s 4s have a an early doors trip to Kilkenny with tip off at 10.30am. While the 5s travel to Wicklow for Division 6 action in East Glendalough School at 2pm.

It really is a SUPER SATURDAY.

World Cup Selection
Massive congratulations to Daragh Walsh, Luke Madeley and Mitch Darling who were selected as part of the Senior Men’s squad for the World Cup in Bubhaneswar, India, with their first game against Australia on November 30th! All games will be shown on BTsport in Ireland.
Hard luck to Jamie Carr and Ben Walker who were part of the wider squad but miss out this time, the Club is immensely proud of each and every one of our Internationals!!

Ireland Under Age Trials
Congrats to Izzy Bowen on earning Irish Girls Under 16 trials happening over the next couple of weeks!.

Results and Fixtures
There were 4 Senior fixtures on the weekend of November 3rd & 4th, 3 league fixtures and 1 friendly.
In the League it was 3 wins for the Men’s 3s, Ladies 1s and Ladies 2s, with only 1 goal conceded between the teams! The men’s 3s beat UCD 8-1 at Belfield, while the Ladies 2s beat Malahide Fingal, in Malahide, 5-0 and the Ladies first saw off Clontarf 1-0 at HQ. In the friendly match the men’s 4s and 5s played out a 1-1 draw in the Johnson Cup at Grange Road. Good day all round for the Senior sides!

Fixtures this weekend and the start of next week are as follows:
Friday 9th
Under 16s A v Monkstown at 8.15pm

Saturday 10th
M2 vs Pembroke at Serpentine Avenue @3.30pm in the Irish Junior Cup
M3 vs YMCA at Wesley College @2.30pm in Division 3
M4 vs Navan at Grange Road @2pm in Division 4 (Front)
M5 vs Weston at HQ @3.30pm in Division 6 (Front)

Sunday 11th
Minor Team 1 v Genesis on Back pitch at 11.45am
Minor Team 2 v Loreto on Front pitch at 1.45pm
Under 14s C v Railway on Back pitch at 2.45pm
Under 16s B v Monkstown at 1.30pm

All other Junior teams training at normal times unless told otherwise!

Tuesday 13th
M1 v Monkstown at Grange Road @8.15pm in Mills Cup action

Alongside the Back pitch Grand Opening the Men’s firsts will be hosting their first #RoversRoadtoEindhoven fundraiser that Saturday evening until late! It is 10 euro, payable on the door, and the event starts at 6.30pm. With Ireland v New Zealand on TV from 7pm, drinks promotions on the night, this will be the perfect way to end such a big day the Club by helping the men’s firts get to the KO16 next April.

This will be the first fundraiser ahead of a big 2019 where the gents will be representing the Club in Europe, indoor and outdoors! Every little bit will be much appreciated by the lads on the November 17th and at any fundraising events held between now and April for their European adventures.

Mark the date in your diary and be part of a huge day at HQ on November 17th!

There are no Senior or Junior Fixtures this coming weekend, just before Halloween, and Three Rock Rovers would like to wish all our members, past, present, near and far, and their families a very happy Halloween and weekend!

Don’t despair your hockey fill will be back the following weekend! Keep an eye out for the details next week and the upcoming events we have planned!