Latest news with #FIHHockeyNationsCup
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland squad for EuroHockey Championships selected
Ayeisha McFerran and Elena Neill have missed out on the Ireland squad for the upcoming EuroHockey Championships, while Katie McKee is back in the 18-player group. Head coach Gareth Grundie will bring the side to Monchengladbach in August for the tournament. Ireland will play in the opening match, facing off against defending champions Netherlands in their first Pool A match on Saturday, 9 August They will follow this up with their remaining pool matches against France the following Monday and hosts Germany two days later. All of the Ireland games will be available to watch live on RTÉ Sport. Elizabeth Murphy and Holly Micklem are selected in nets for Ireland, with McFerran injured. Roisín Upton will once again marshall Ireland's defence, with a 133rd senior international appearance ahead. Experienced players like Hannah McLoughlin, Sarah McAuley and Ellen Curran are all included, with Belfast Harlequins' player Katie Larmour joining the backline for just the second time, in place of the absent Elena Neill. Captain Sarah Hawkshaw will lead Ireland's midfield, with McKee rejoining the squad having missed out on the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Chile. Charlotte Beggs and Christina Hamill will also play key roles in transitioning Ireland from defence to attack. Up front, Katie Mullan will lead the line as she nears a 250th cap. Mikayla Power joins her in attack following standout performances in her first senior international tournament earlier this year in the FIH Nations Cup, which earned her the Young Player of the Tournament accolade. Sarah Torrans and Niamh Carey will also be among the attacking threats for the Green Army. Grundie said: "We're really excited to get going at the EuroHockey Championships. It's a fantastic tournament and a great stage for us to test ourselves against the best teams in Europe. "There's a great energy in the group, with a number of new faces getting their first taste of competition at this level. It's an invaluable opportunity for them to gain experience and make their mark. "We're not here just to take part; we want to challenge the top sides and push hard for a place in the semi-finals. The players are ready, and we're looking forward to seeing what we can deliver." Ireland squad: Elizabeth Murphy, Holly Micklem, Ellen Curran, Katie Larmour, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughlin, Caoimhe Perdue, Roisin Upton, Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Christina Hamill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Emily Kealy, Katie McKee, Niamh Carey, Katie Mullan, Mikayla Power, Sarah Torrans EuroHockey Championship fixtures: Saturday, 9 August – Netherland v Ireland – 2.30pm (RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player)
News18
7 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Pakistan Hockey Team Invited To Join FIH Pro League After New Zealand Withdrawal
Last Updated: New Zealand withdrew from the FIH Hockey Pro League Men's 2025–26 season, prompting the FIH to invite runners-up Pakistan, who must confirm participation by August 12. Following New Zealand's decision to withdraw from the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League Men's 2025–26 season—despite having secured victory in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup last month—the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended an invitation to the tournament runners-up, Pakistan, in accordance with its regulations. The Pakistan Hockey Association has been given a deadline of August 12 to confirm whether they will accept or decline the invitation. The recently concluded 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League saw both Dutch national teams—men's and women's—claim the championship titles. The forthcoming season will mark the seventh edition of the league. India has suspended all bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it attributed to Pakistan-based militants. Pakistan's last visit to India was for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, where they finished fifth out of six competing teams. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated significantly in May during a four-day conflict that resulted in 70 fatalities, marking the worst violence between the two nations in decades. Pakistan had been scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup, set to be hosted in India next month. However, participation is now uncertain as the Pakistan Hockey Federation awaits government clearance to travel. 'After the recent war, the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk," a source from Pakistan's sports ministry told AFP. The same source confirmed that Pakistan would also skip the Junior World Cup, scheduled to be held in India this November. Once a dominant powerhouse in international hockey—with three Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles—Pakistan has since declined to 15th in the global rankings. Pakistan's potential absence from the Asia Cup could jeopardize their qualification for the 2026 senior World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government official confirmed the decision to AFP. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 19:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
30-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Ireland women promoted to FIH Hockey Pro League
Lausanne (Switzerland), June 30 (UNI) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) today confirmed that the 'Green Army' – Ireland's national hockey team nickname – will join the FIH Hockey Pro League for the 2025-26 season. It will be the first time that the finalists of the 2018 FIH Hockey Women's World Cup will join the 'League of the Best'. Ireland was promoted through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in Chile earlier this year. Whilst New Zealand won that event against Ireland in the final, Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks would not proceed with the invitation to join Pro League this time. Therefore, as stipulated in the regulations, FIH extended the invitation to the runners-up, namely Ireland, who have confirmed their participation. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said, 'Congratulations to the Ireland Women team for joining the next season of the FIH Hockey Pro League. It's wonderful to see a new team participating in the 'League of the Best'. Qualifying through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup confirms how much the latter is a great springboard to join hockey's elite.' Speaking after the announcement, Ireland Women's Head Coach Gareth Grundie said, 'I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the FIH Pro League 2025/26 Season 7. It's a testament to the quality of play this team has achieved to date and is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for further improvement. It comes at an ideal time for us as a programme also, pitting us against the World's best teams as we go in search of qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.' Finishing the 2024-25 Women's Pro League season in last place of the rankings, India is relegated to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup. On the men's side, following the Black Sticks' victory at the recent Nations Cup in Malaysia, FIH has extended an invitation to Hockey New Zealand for their men's team to join Pro League again next season. Since New Zealand's hockey governing body is currently undertaking a thorough analysis and decision-making process in this regard, FIH has approved their request for an extension of the deadline to confirm or decline their participation until July 21. Should New Zealand eventually decide to not participate, the runners-up of the Men's Nations Cup, namely Pakistan, would have the opportunity to consider joining the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League season. UNI BM
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Hockey: India, Pakistan likely to renew rivalry as Green Shirts likely to be offered a spot next season
India and Pakistan could face each other in the next season of the hockey Pro League after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said on Monday that the Green Shirts could be offered a spot in case New Zealand do not participate. New Zealand are eligible to play in the top-tier of world hockey for the 2025-26 season after they won the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, beating Pakistan 6-2 in the final. However, they haven't yet confirmed their participation in the competition so far. The FIH said in a release on Monday that they have 'extended an invitation to Hockey New Zealand for their men's team to join Pro League again next season'. The world body added: 'Since New Zealand's hockey governing body is currently undertaking a thorough analysis and decision-making process in this regard, FIH has approved their request for an extension of the deadline to confirm or decline their participation until 21 July.' If New Zealand decide not the participate, the FIH said 'the runners-up of the Men's Nations Cup, namely Pakistan, would have the opportunity to consider joining the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League season.' A similar scenario has already transpired in the women's tournament where New Zealand did not accept the invitation to join the Pro League despite winning the Nations Cup, the FIH said. Their spot was handed over to Ireland, the second-placed team. 'Ireland was promoted through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in Chile earlier this year. Whilst New Zealand won that event against Ireland in the final, Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks would not proceed with the invitation to join Pro League this time. Therefore, as stipulated in the regulations, FIH extended the invitation to the runners-up, namely Ireland, who have confirmed their participation,' the FIH said. Pakistan's return to the Pro League would mean two more matches between the neighbours in the lead up to the Asian Games and the World Cup, if the two teams qualify. India and Pakistan are scheduled to take on each other in August-September at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, and then later in the year at the Junior World Cup.
Belfast Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Head coach can't hide delight as Ireland Women accept invite to play in FIH Pro League for first time
The FIH Hockey Nations Cup silver medallists have gained promotion to the top League after gold medallists New Zealand, who initially pipped Ireland to the post courtesy of a shoot-out victory in the Final of that competition in March, declined their invite. As such, Ireland are the ninth and final team to be confirmed for the FIH Pro League's seventh edition where they will have the chance to test themselves against the world's leading hockey nations. Ireland, ranked No.11 in the world rankings, will face Olympic gold medallists the Netherlands, Argentina and Belgium, who are the top three sides in the global standings, as well as China, Australia, Spain, Germany and England. Gareth Grundie's outfit will replace India following their relegation on Sunday and the head coach believes the invitation is a testament to the performances his players have produced, while he also maintains it is a timely boost as Ireland look to qualify for the 2026 FIH World Cup. 'I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the FIH Pro League 2025/26 Season Seven,' commented Grundie. 'It's a testament to the quality of play this team has achieved to date and is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for further improvement. 'It comes at an ideal time for us as a programme also, pitting us against the world's best teams as we go in search of qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.'
