The closing date for entry for the national men’s and women’s indoor trophies is nearing for clubs to confirm their participation for the 2009/10 season.
The IHA is imposing a strict deadline for entry on Friday, July 31 as they look to determine the competition structure for the upcoming year.
As of last week, nine men’s teams (Glenanne, Railway Union, Corinthian, TRR, Queens University, Avoca, Pembroke Wanderers, Clontarf and Dublin University) and eight women’s clubs (Glenanne, Railway Union, Galway, Randalstown, Corinthian, UCD, Loreto and Pembroke Wanderers) had confirmed entry.
12 comments:
TWO Ulster teams. TWO! And a Senior 1 side at that. Not to discredit Queen's at all, but where are the Mens Premier League Ulster teams, and the Munster teams too?!
Ulster used to have a fantastic indoor league, so I've heard!
come on ymca enter! ill play if you need!
YM already entered
As an Ulsterman it comes as no surprise that there is only one team entered for this (mens). It is a reflection in general of the state of Ulster hockey. We just seem to have given up on trying to compete with the Dublin teams.Most clubs in Ulster are happy to train twice a week and play on a Saturday without putting in the extra effort to be successful i.e extra sessions during the week, Sunday training, indoor hockey, regular monitoring of individuals fitness etc. Whereas in the past Ulster teams expected to beat Leinster teams in the big games, this has now been reversed and Leinster teams now expect to beat Ulster teams. Just like in Irish rugby, the strength of hockey is in the south and although the powerbases of sport do go in cycles, it may be a very long time before any of the Ulster teams challenge for the big prizes in hockey. Most Ulster clubs that I know moan about Leinster teams having money, bringing in coaches, players etc. However, Ulster clubs need to look at themselves and get their own houses in order and stop making excuses.
How will the players get the time to travel and play a match on a Sunday. Between Irish Training, Inter-pro training, and preparation for league, AIL,local cup and finally school matches. If December and January was the indoor season with no outdoor matches and all local cups are removed from the season it may be possible. Even if all senior club players did not play the school players have a very full fixture list.
Lastly the cost to play the sport has risen again so unless the IHA are going to get a major sponsor to help towards costs and they restructure the leagues, the indoor league is a non runner outside Dublin. Sorry
To July 21, 2009 8:30 PM, I think you may be missing the point here. Last year, three Ulster sides said they wanted to play in the indoor league but travel was an issue over two weekends. They are now being spoon-fed a tournament on their front door if they want it in Ulster if numbers are there to encourage entry.
Also, if you look at the success story of Galway in the women's indoor, this tournament is a great opportunity for a progressive club to take advantage of. Division two sides and mid-ranking div one clubs have always had a chance in this competition of the odd result or in the case of Railway's men, a strong chance of silverware and representing Ireland in Europe.
These aren't always internationals who get them there due to the points you have noted of extra training so look on this as an opportunity and not another reason as to why you should not bother...
Subsequent entrants may have been added since I was sent an entry list last week which may not be reflected in the original blog.
Hopefully a couple more names will be added to the list when the structure is announced in the coming weeks.
Great to see the women's league back and with a healthy entry-list.
Is there going to be a mens or ladies national indoor team soon?
I'm afraid the bottom line for most clubs/players outside Dublin is the financial cost. According to Bango, 'Ulster clubs are being spoon-fed a tournament on their front door'. I wonder how many Leinster clubs would enter if it was on their 'front dooor' in Cork or Belfast. Unfortunately, 90% of all finals of tournaments are held in Dublin for better or worse.
The cost factor is a huge issue now. The only way to overcome this is to subsidise all travelling teams by levying all home teams.
We would then see how enthusastic
Dublin clubs would be to a proper all Ireland indoor finals!
There are regional tournaments planned as qualification competitions for the national finals. I think this is what is meant by "spoon fed a tournament on their front door". Have many Ulster teams entered these?
It's just far too expensive to play in this tournament in entry fee alone never mind hotels etc for what you get out of it! Last year it looked like 500 euro for a few games. Clubs can't justify this...fact! If there was no tournament fee I bet there would be 25 teams enter without a problem. This isn't a rich sport for many clubs and obviously outdoor is top priority!
There may very well be regional qualifiers, but there are still national finals to consider. Where will they be held, Cork, Belfast,Galway, Limerick or Dublin?
For non Dublin teams it is too expensive in todays climate.
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