Leinster South U18 Girls

The Leinster South U18 Girls programme brings together some of the top young players from clubs and schools across the South-East region, providing them with the opportunity to train, compete and represent Leinster South throughout the season.

The programme culminates in the annual Interprovincial Tournament, which takes place each August and sees Leinster South compete against Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht over three action-packed days of hockey. The tournament is one of the standout events in the Irish hockey calendar, attracting large crowds and showcasing some of the top underage talent from across the country.

Many players progress into the U18 programme following their involvement with the Leinster South and Leinster U16 teams, while additional players are also identified and invited through schools and clubs across the region. The programme provides regular development opportunities, training sessions and assessment matches throughout the season. Beginning in October, players train consistently across the year as they work towards selection for the final Interprovincial squad. 

Outstanding Hague Tournament Success

A major highlight of the programme is the annual trip to the prestigious Hague Tournament in the Netherlands. The tournament provides players with the opportunity to compete against elite European opposition while also creating lasting memories and friendships off the pitch.

This season saw the Leinster South U18 Girls enjoy a truly memorable tournament, finishing runners-up after a series of outstanding performances throughout the competition. Along the way, the team also recorded an impressive victory over the Croatian U18 National Team in what proved to be a fantastic achievement for the squad.

The trip was a brilliant reflection of the hard work, commitment and development shown by the players and management team throughout the season, and one that will live long in the memory for everyone involved.

Representing Leinster South at Interprovincial level is a huge achievement and one of the highlights of the player pathway.

As always, we would like to sincerely thank our dedicated Development Programme sponsor, AerCap. Their continued support of the Leinster Hockey Development Programme allows us to continually grow, improve and enhance opportunities for young players across the province, while helping strengthen the player pathway year on year. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Sean Butler

Sean leads the management team of the Leinster South U18 Girls, having previously coached within the U16 programme and been involved in Leinster and Leinster South hockey for a number of years.

He has extensive coaching experience across several clubs and continues to play his club hockey with Weston Hockey Club. Professionally, Sean works as a teacher at Mount Sackville, where he also leads the school’s hockey programme.

Assistant Coach: Maulik Ghia

Goalkeeping Coach: George Smith