Three Rock Rovers celebrated one of the most significant developments in the hockey club’s 132-year history last Saturday following an extensive sustainability and pitch replacement project.

It follows the most extensive renovation project since moving to Grange Road in Rathfarnham in the early 1980s with the front pitch fully replaced from base to top surface.

Through its main contractor, Tony Patterson Sports, a new subbase, tarmac, shock pad and an international-standard TX Elite carpet were installed, together with a more efficient pitch irrigation system and new lighting poles, surrounded by modern fencing and paving for spectator safety.

The sustainability work included planting many hundreds of flowers in its woodland area and a new herb garden for local use.

This was done in tandem with infrastructural work including energy efficiency and water conservation in the clubhouse, LED lights for its two floodlit pitches and the provision of a bike park.

The works were possible through 75% members’ fundraising and sponsor funding while the balance was secured through two major grants, one each from South County Dublin Country Council and the government’s Sports Capital Grant Scheme.

Speaking about the opening, club president Wendy Lee was thrilled to usher in the new era, saying: “It was a joy to see so many members to be part of this celebration of our club after all the effort from each section to make this dream a reality”.

The ceremonial ribbon-cutting was performed by Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Charlie McConalogue, South Dublin County Council Mayor Pamela Kearns and Olympians Katie Mullan and Ben Johnson.

Mullan and Johnson opened the gates for a youth blitz for over 80 of the club’s youngest members on Saturday morning, undeterred by the after-effects of Storm Claudia and the teeming rain it brought.

Six Three Rock adult teams lined out at the venue on the same day in league fixtures with the men’s first team playing out a thriller in the EY Hockey League against Lisnagarvey, the Ulster side prevailing 6-5.

A full day of events on November 15th and something for everyone to get involved in. We have a special start to the day with our very own Olympian Ben Johnson and Irish World Cup silver medal winning captain Katie Mullan opening the pitch with the junior section (great opp for photos and signings for the youngsters!).

At 10am, the Minister for Sport will join the formal pitch opening before a full schedule of matches takes place throughout the day.

In the evening, the barbecue will be cranked up and the bar will be open all day.

A great schedule and something for everyone to celebrate what has been one of the biggest projects the club has undertaken, all made possible by the work of the club and our wonderful members!

The club is currently looking to recruit a new groundsperson for the club ahead of the new season following the retirement of JJ and Sylvie this summer after long spells with the club.

Expressions of interest should be sent to club manager Bernie Keogh on club.manager@threerockrovershc.com.

We are also looking to build a list of people available for weekend and tournament work who can also assist with occasional pitch duties and car parking on tournament weekends and some busy Saturdays.

This might suit students and/or coaches; training will be provided. Again, please contact Bernie if interested

We are very pleased to announce that we have now completed each of the items that formed part of our application for a grant from South Dublin County Council for which we were successful and received €100k.

New showers and toilets have been installed in the main changing room block, a new herb garden has been planted close to the back pitch, new pitch LED lighting has been installed on the back pitch, and internal clubhouse lighting has been switched to low energy LED fittings and bulbs.

Additionally, five bicycle hoops are being installed as part of this programme. Ian Jackson, Community Climate Action Officer SDCC, has been a great support to the club during this programme, and we are very grateful to Ian and to SDCC for making this work possible and for their ongoing support to the club. 

We are also very grateful to CRH, and to a club member who made a substantial donation, for helping us to achieve our community climate programme goals by contributing the shortfall between grant funds and the full cost of the projects. 

The club is saddened to learn of the death of former club captain Declan Budd on Thursday.

He was a member of the club since the 1960s and made a significant impact both on and off the field in a number of areas, playing for every team in the club, and headed the grounds committee, helping to win a landscaping award for the club.

His son Roland and a number of his grandchildren continue to be important club members.

Funeral Service on Tuesday (August 26) at 2.30 pm in St. Paul’s Church, Glenageary. A live-stream link will be provided.

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Notice from RIP.ie

BUDD – Declan, August 21st 2025; peacefully at home with his family, thanks to the care and support of Cristina. Beloved husband of the late Ann (née Lawson), much loved father of Roland, Una, Aoife and Leila. Proud grandfather of Rory, Ann, Fionn, Sophie, Orla, Sholto and John, brother of Alison, Clodagh and the late Melissa, brother-in-law of Palmer, Brian and the late Nadine.

Funeral Service on Tuesday (August 26) at 2.30 pm in St. Paul’s Church, Glenageary. A live-stream link will be provided.

Donations, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society.

Lots going on over the summer months; here’s the latest newletter:

• best of luck to our youth internationals who begin their tournaments today
• Congrats to the latest Leinster underage call-ups
• Pitch and club update
• Women’s coffee morning in clubhouse on July 26

** Click here to read the full newsletter

It has been a special week for a big number of our club members on the representative scene, particularly for EJ Walsh who became a European champion on Sunday in Valencia.

She was part of the Irish Over-45 Masters side who won their final 1-0 against Germany to win gold, scoring the only goal of the final into the bargain! It was her sixth of the tournament, making her event’s top scorer!

Earlier in May, Rob Carter and Ed Simpson were both part of the Irish Over-55s who played in the Four Nations in Cork while Rob Haughton, Carl Collings and Roger West were on the Over-65s and Stuart Switzer was with the Over-70s.

At the younger end of the spectrum, congratulations to Deepa Anthoni, Alfie Byrne, Herbie Greasley and Ollie Cox who were all named in the Leinster Under-16 panels for the summer training schedule.

The club will also be well represented next December in the Irish All Stars indoor teams who head to South Africa for the PSI tournament. Hannah and Juliette Duffy will be with the U18 girls, Pippa Beatty with the U16s and Simon Montgomery with the boys U16s.

Also indoors, James Walker and Ross Canning were in Kuala Lumpur for a six-game series against Malaysia, an important camp as Ireland’s men prepare for Europe’s top tier next January.

Finally, the club has a big representation in the Irish men’s panel playing India this week in Pembroke. Rex Dunlop, Mark Collins, Kevin O’Dea, Ben Ryder and Ben Johnson lined out last Friday in the first game. Luke Madeley, Ben Pasley, Ben Walker and Daragh Walsh came into the side today.

The final game takes place on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in Pembroke with tickets available on hockey.ie.

Last week’s club 2025 AGM saw a number of key decisions taken for the immediate future of the club as we embark on one of the biggest redevelopments since moving to Grange Road in the early 80s.

Information on the new pitch works was given, including the drainage, electrical conduits, excavation, subbase, shock pad, TX Elite surface, light poles and LED lights, water sprinklers, fencing and other related works.

On the sustainability front, more efficient  cisterns and showers have already been installed, and in progress are LED lights in the clubhouse and LED replacements for the back pitch lighting, with new biodiversity and herb features on site. All funding is now in place including €245k in grants and over €100k from member donations.

The club’s annual accounts were approved where much of the surplus is being directed towards the new pitch project.

The motion for approval for €50k to be taken from the Sinking Fund, if required as a contingency only for the said works, was passed unanimously.

The motion for approval for a €20 increase in all three youth membership fee categories, in line with Leinster averages, was agreed unanimously.

The question on face masks wearing, which is now compulsory for penalty corners, was raised from the floor and Committee is to decide the ownership of enacting this matter and will announce it to the club.

Also raised from the floor was a request to rejuvenate the  photographs in the club house walls which it was stated is already in hand.

The new President, Wendy Lee was elected and installed, as was the new Ladies Captain Karen Davis.

No new men’s captain nomination was put forward for the second year in a row. One of the consequences of this for decisions needed on the men’s side of club is Council has decided that any matter needing men’s captain or committee approval will have to be made in writing in advance for Committee to consider at its next meeting until a new men’s captain is appointed, with regret.

The other elected posts were Club Secretary, Kristan Johnston and Club Treasurer, John Blakeney, while the Committee Treasurer will be Peter Hill.

Many thanks were expressed for the plethora of volunteers in the club, particularly those who were standing down after years of service, following which the bar was opened for refreshment.

Over the Easter weekend, six young Rovers represented the club brilliantly for Ireland at a series of international challenge matches.

For the U-16 girls, Laura Keogh was in Hannover in Germany were they picked up an impressive win over Austria before getting great experience against strong Dutch and German teams.

With the U-16 boys, Louis Rothwell, Simon Montgomery, Josh Kelly and Jonah Nathan were in Tonbridge in England where they beat Austria, drew with England and Scotland; and lost to Germany.

And Sam Rothwell was with the U-18 boys who were in flying form, defeating Scotland, England and a monster 5-2 success against Australia in Leuven while coming undone against Germany.

Congratulations to all for their hard work and some great results in green!

It’s been a great month both on and off the pitch with so much activity with great fundraisers and a number of finals to look forward to. We hope you all get to celebrate the season in style at a couple of the end of year club events over the coming days: Friday’s Youth Awards night, the Club Dinner on Saturday or the Family Day on Sunday morning.

See attached the March newsletter with a snapshot of the past month and keep an eye on the club’s social media channels for updates on the big games coming up over the next few weeks!

Download it here: https://threerockrovershc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/March-2025-Newsletter-1.pdf