In a statement released this morning, the IHA has announced it will "undertake, as a matter of priority, a review of all Irish competition rules, in full consultation with clubs" thereby avoiding a further appeal from Annadale.
The move comes off the back of the controversial ruling which saw Annadale's appeal against the decision to replay in full the IHL match against Cookstown at Coolnafranky rather than continue the game from when the game was abandoned - 4-1 in the third quarter.
Anndale - under the IHA constitution - had the right to further appeal to Just Sport Ireland under their dispute resolution service. However, they decided not to pursue this course of action, which had the potential to be time consuming and detrimental to the image of the IHL and Irish hockey in general.
In conciliation, the IHA agreed to Annadale's proposal to review their current rules, adding in their statement: "Both parties are pleased to have resolved this situation and look forward to the continued success of the Irish Hockey League."
*For more pictures from Eoin Tyrell from the Cork Harlequins vs Annadale game, click here
*For more pictures from Eoin Tyrell from the Cork Harlequins vs Annadale game, click here
25 comments:
Good to see that the dale did not go down the route of a second appeal.
The IHA must act fast, as they have been given a warning shoot. Get the rules sourted out fast....
Well done Steve on getting the bloag award nomination. If only it was decided by public vote. You'd win by an anonymous landslide!!
Fair dues bro, great site, keep it up.
A case of closing the door after the horse has bolted
Hopefully some good will come from this and the IHA will get their house in order.
As an avid supporter of hockey here in Munster but also throughout the island, I am delighted to see this as the outcome to this dispute. To take this further would have done irrepairable damage to the new league and Irish Hockey in general. To Annadale, a huge thanks on behalf of all the clubs involved that these rules are to be looked at and reviewed and considering the wider hockey community in your choice to go no further. To the IHA, congratulations for getting this resolved sooner rather than later and for agreeing to make this league clearer and stronger for all involved. Lets now hope we can move on a see more games like the CI vs Monkstown game on Saturday which was an absolute cracker.
Pity the IHA wouldn't sort out the boys under 16 coach appointment. Those kids on the panel have worked so hard and keep getting fobbed off. Twice they have been ready to go to trial and have been cancelled at short notice. Whats going on?
I don't think you can give any credit to the IHA for their part in this. Tournament rules have to be set in stone before it begins.
The IHA should also look at start times for travelling teams. Pembroke had to play at 6pm away to Cookstown last weekend, which is totally ridiculous, for both the travelling players and supporters. Home clubs will take advantage of setting times at their own discretion, so as to unsettle the travelling teams.
Also January games are a joke as there is a fair chance of frost interupting schedules. I do not believe that the new IHL format is any better than the old system.
In addition, it is my view that no IHL games should be played on sand base surfaces,as this defeats the purpose of the league, which is to promote better hockey, better games, better standards, beter crowds etc. Playing IHL games on the following pitches is a farce: Cookstown, Fingal, Monkstown, Glenanne. The IHL should consider setting up double header weekends for both mens and womens teams at the following provincial waterbase pitches: Munster - C of I; Leinster - Pembroke or UCD; Ulster- Lisnagarvey. Only then will we see better hockey and better crowds to justify this dillusional notion of an All Ireland League.
Not sure ALL the criticism above is justified but have to say the following. Hopefully there will be a forum for discussion after this season finishes and IF NECESSARY radical decisions to improve the current structure. On the above points I think it is easy to criticise facilities coming from D4, Hillsborough, Rathfarnum etc where money is no object. We are all trying our very very best to get the best facilities we can and this is just an example of hockey snobbery. The Monkstown pitch plays truer than Garvey or UCD which have huge grains running from one side to the other. I do feel however that there are still huge marketing opportunites going begging.
(1) I think we could expand to playing each other twice. The feedback from the players is that they prefer big games like this rather than some in their domestic league. This would allow an "IHL weekend" for one set of games - one club hosts all the games over a Saturday and Sunday ( drawn at random or to a set criteria ) - 3 matches per day. All proceeds are split between all the clubs involved equally. The second set of games could then be hosted as one off games in the clubs as per what is happening now. This would allow the clubs a chance to fundraise and prepare for a really big day.These ar eonly my own suggestions and would love to hear others thoughts no matter how barmy they may seem. We all need to get this thing progressed
Like the discussion that is going on here. I think one of the best solutions to the whole thing is the timing of the IHL throughout the year.
After the big start all the hype has petered away. What we want is to be able to get the IHL a sustained presence. I feel the only way to do this is to have matches mid sept - mid october then march, april, may - or 2 in march, 2 in april and 2 in may. This idea of Novemeber Jan and Feb is farcical. Doesnt bring crowds or facilitate setting up an atmsophere at grounds or produce stunning hockey. Why do we insist in playing through the winter in a sport where hand manipulation is so important and yet we can hardly feel our hands at all.
I think that the IHL is definitely a plus for the game but the scheduling & timing of matches definitely needs to be looked at.
Just a quick note on the above about match times. It is important to note these were agreed at the start of the season between the clubs.
Clubs got together face to face to come up with a time and day over the designated weekends that works for both clubs rather than the IHA setting these dates in stone.
I'd agree with moving IHL fixtures away from the colder months.
- You'd easily double the amount of spectators on a sunny day.
- Less likelyhood of games being called off.
- Echo'ing the hand manipulation comment. We'll find more skill on the pitch in warmer tempuratures.
A further concern is those teams who don't really stand much of a chance reaching the final stages have nothing to play for in their closing IHL games. They'd be better off concentrating on qualifying for next years IHL.
I absolutely agree that ideally the IHL should be played on waterbase pitches.
However, waterbases cost huge amounts money. Forcing clubs without a top-grade pitch(most likely due to lack of funds) to hand over IHL Gate/Bar recipts AND pay for rental of a waterbase is an entirely foolish idea.
I think the criticism directed towards the management of the IHA is a little harsh. The competition has been a huge addition to the domestic calendar and there were always going to be teething problems. The main thing that needs to happen when problems arise is that they are sorted asap and this move by the IHA needs to be appauled. In time things will be jigged with and changes will happen to league structure make up etc for the better but it won't happen over night. There was alot of sceptism about this tournament and gradually as people see the benefit it brings to irish hockey it will grow in size and stature and possible we may see a move away from separate domestic leagues to a system similiar to rugby's AIL league.
As with anything new it takes time to get it right and there are going to be details that need ironing out.
The IHL is a step in the right direction and its format ensures that the best 4 teams in the country make the finals due to a) It is played over a per-longed period of time so a team that is "Hot" over a weekend like the club champs has to now be "Hot over 5 months and b) the best are playing against the best.
I agree that it should not be played in December and January as the weather is against us then. Hopefully this will allow for a more expansive indoor schedule, which I think this country needs if we want to improve on a international level.
With regards Water Based pithces, overall they do produce better hockey and are easier to play on, but that is not to say that great hockey cannot be produced on a sand based, like the Glens game the weekend or the Monkstown Garvey game last month.
I think a clinic at the end of the year would be a good idea were the postives (There has been the odd one!) and negatives can be discussed.
All in all, a step in the right direction with some negatives but the positives are far greater.
With regard pitches there are always going to be some that are better than others and what suits one player doesn't necessarily suit another.
e.g. I like Three Rocks back pitch because its slightly bouncy, but I hate their front pitch because the side farthest from the club house has a terrible grain that goes North to South and how it wasn't picked up when it was laid is unbelievable. But thats just my preference.
There are plenty of sand based pitches that play fantastic too. I think Monkstowns pitch is great and Glenannes sand based is up there with the best too, especially when played in damp / wet weather.
Pitch technology is constantly changing and there will always be a 10-15+ year gap between some pitches.
It might interest Hook readers to know that the IHF will be moving away from water based pitches in the near future:
For the last few years, the FIH Equipment Committee has been working towards specifying a water-free synthetic turf for top level hockey and a multi-sport turf for some other levels.
Developing a water-free turf is an important project because it recognises environmental concerns about water usage. The multi-sport turf will facilitate access to community or shared facilities at a reasonable cost.
So it will probably be back to sand based or similar material for most clubs in 10/15 years time and cries for it should only be played on a water based pitch will eventually fade out.
Jason
Would like to comment on some of the discussion above. Firstly, the obvious supporter of Pembroke made a few comments that were either uninformed or just plain ignorant.
As Stephen rightly mentioned RE: pitch times, "it is important to note these were agreed at the start of the season between the clubs. Clubs got together face to face to come up with a time and day over the designated weekends that works for both clubs rather than the IHA setting these dates in stone."
These times were agreed by both parties to allow as many supporters, from both Clubs, an opportunity to be able to watch this match. These not only include 2nd XI-6th XI teams etc, but ladies sections and junior teams. It allows these teams to play their own schedule of matches in the province at the normal allocated times and hopefully time to get back home to support their 1st XI. It also allows a large number of people who are involved in Club commitees's, that have dual roles as coaches and players during the day and are responsible for the running of such an event, a chance to actually watch the match that they have worked very hard on to organise. It also encourages people who are involved in other sports a chance to watch a top Club level hockey match. Personally, I know there were spectators watching Cookstown on Saturday who are involved in junior and senior football, senior rugby and GAA football, who normally would not be able to spectate, as involvment in their own sports logistically would not allow them. So, how a 6:00pm start agreed by both teams, is 'ridiculous' bemuses me. As a further point, surely a home team should have an advantage of playing in front of more supporters, by the obvious point of it being at home!! Any other team sport that is played at a senior level in this country will have more supporters at home. This indicates, as another blogger put it, 'an example of hockey snobbery'.
This leads me on nicely to the comment of playing hockey on sand based pitches as "a farce" and playing in selected provincial locations. Firstly, with any luck, Cookstown will have a state of the art water based pitch in use hopefully by the start of the 2009/10 season. However, if this person actually watched the Cookstown/Pembroke match then they would have seen a match that had a high intensity in both pace and tempo, great skill, several SC's, a penalty flick and several green/yellow cards. Speaking personally to several Pembroke players after the match, they were very pleased with how the pitch played, and remarked how similar it was to their previous pitch. So what exactly is this 'Anon' on about? Every Club in Ireland do not have the financial capabilities to put up a waterbased pitch, but i am quite sure that those that don't are striving to do so. It requires funding from several avenues, and a lot of hard work. To change venues would put more financial constraints on Clubs for hiring of the pitch, reduce the number of spectators who could travel for 'home' games, and would stop teams from other provinces getting to see their own pitch/clubhouse/town. We already play a lot of games at Hillsbourgh, whether it be League matches, semi-finals/finals in domestic cups so to have to start playing there for home IHL games would be a diaster! It would also mean that Lisnagarvey get to play an even larger number of games at home, even tho it would be deemed a neutral venue!! (See Kirk Cup Final 2008/9). Need i remind everyone of the horlix 'Garvey made of the watering system and disruption it had on the weekends play last season???
Self-pass is a great idea & works really well but I would do away with the quarters.
RE Ian Hutchinson,
Part of his argument about times the games are played at is an excellent point as it allows more hockey and non hockey people to watch the game.
However let me remind Ian the purpose of the IHL was to let the countries top players play more competitive games against one another to make Ireland a better national side. International hockey is not played on sand based and it is a completely different game to water based hockey as his club continue to find out.
It is also very disappointing to see a Captain of one of the top sides in Ulster publicly slate another club. I played in that tournament and not for Garvey. Yes the pitches were not ideal however i can only say that i wish we had their facilty and we are always made more than wlecome there.
Hockey should be played on water base pitches as that is were the very best players stand out.
at least ian hutchinson put his name to his piece - - unlike the last coward.
The IHL have actually stated their objectives very clearly. They are:
Objectives of the IHL
1. Increasing spectator value and broader exposure to the sport and therefore potential for increased sponsorship
2. Making Irish domestic hockey as competitive as possible, while maintaining a regional balance in representation to ensure the goals around exposure can also be achieved
No mention of making Ireland a better International side!
I did not 'slate' any club. I merely stated the facts that 'Garvey were unable to water their pitchs adequately and that their system then failed for hours at a time causing major disruption to teams/spectators/officials alike. Fact. I agree they have the best facilites in Ireland. However, they failed last season to allow the tournament to run as smoothly as it could have, due to these faults. Standards of hockey and 'top performers' are not enhanced when playing on pitches that are not watered. Fact.
Also see comment from above RE:FIH Equipment Committee has been working towards specifying a water-free synthetic turf for top level hockey and a multi-sport turf for some other levels.
I reckon they have a fair idea what top players can and cannot play on!!
Re Ian Hutchinson
a) Who is Ian Hutchinson?
b) If the FIH are heading away from water-based hockey then why, in your own words,with any luck, Cookstown have a state of the art water based pitch in use hopefully by the start of the 2009/10 season?
I travelled North for the Club Championships last May in Lisnagarvey. Thought the facilities and hospitality were excellent. Yes, there was a problem on Saturday afternoon watering the pitches and yes it did delay matches for some time(pump malfunction)but all games were eventually completed successfully and guess what,no one died!!Some problems cannot be foreseen and no one is to blame.On Sunday,we were treated to some cracking matches namely Glennane v Cork Harlequins and Garvey v Three Rock with both pitches watered perfectly.At a time when enlisting volunteers is becoming more and more difficult,its disappointing to listen to criticism levelled at a neighbouring club. I've never been to Cookstown but I am delighted to hear that they are about to get a new water based pitch and I wish them well with it.Perhaps when they lay their second water based,they too can apply to host the Club Championships.Our group of supporters had a great weekend and really enjoyed all the hockey.Well done Lisnagarvey!
I travelled North for the Club Championships last May in Lisnagarvey. Thought the facilities and hospitality were excellent. Yes, there was a problem on Saturday afternoon watering the pitches and yes it did delay matches for some time(pump malfunction)but all games were eventually completed successfully and guess what,no one died!!Some problems cannot be foreseen and no one is to blame.On Sunday,we were treated to some cracking matches namely Glennane v Cork Harlequins and Garvey v Three Rock with both pitches watered perfectly.At a time when enlisting volunteers is becoming more and more difficult,its disappointing to listen to criticism levelled at a neighbouring club. I've never been to Cookstown but I am delighted to hear that they are about to get a new water based pitch and I wish them well with it.Perhaps when they lay their second water based,they too can apply to host the Club Championships.Our group of supporters had a great weekend and really enjoyed all the hockey.Well done Lisnagarvey!
We also travelled North for the tournament at 'garvey. Their facilities are great, but have to agree that there was a lot of discontent amongst the players and officials who had to wait around for hours before finally getting to play. The staff in the cubhouse were friendly enough, but thought they were serving their own supporters/players at the bar/food area a lot quicker than the reat of the teams.
Wish Cookstown all the best with their new pitch. It will be interesting to see if they get to host any major domestic finals with their new water based, as i've heard they are normally played at Lisnagarvey, Shaws bridge or Bann in Ulster. Noticed that Lisnagarvey was the venue for Kirk Cup Final even tho Garvey was playing in it. Doesn't sound very fair to me. Wonder if that will happen if Cookstown make a major domestic final and they played it at their new pitch?
It should mean we have the best of both worlds. I didn't say water based was not an excellent surface to play on (if watered properly), but if you are good enough you should be able to play on both.The FIH make these statements, but unfortunately they are not able to immplement them as quickly as they would like. Whenever they do, as i said, we will have the opportunity of being able to play on both surfaces. I'm just a player who doesn't like people having a go at other clubs or situations that they either haven't experienced or hide behind an anonynous comment. I can back up any statement i make, which i why i put my name to it. thats all!
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