Muckross Hockey Club Return Home
July 02, 2014
Muckross Hockey Club continue to demonstrate their commitment to scaling the heights of their former glory days with the announcement of a landmark relocation to the club's historical home of Muckross Park College for the upcoming 2014/2015 season and beyond.
The 2013/2014 IHA 'Club of the Year' nominee has shown strong resolve towards
reestablishing itself as a dominant force in Irish club hockey. A series of key coaching appointments over the past few seasons of competitive action have brought divisional promotions across the Leinster league spectrum, cup final appearances, a wealth of new playing talent and an overall resurgence in club pride - all testament to the club's ambition for the future. However, an integral part of moving forward is looking back...
Founded in 1918 by the past pupils of Muckross Park College, Muckross Hockey Club's Roll of Honour is one of the most decorated in Irish club hockey. With over 30 Leinster league titles, an unparallelled 29 Leinster Senior (Jacqui Potter) Cup wins, a strong representation at international level and a record seven past players inducted into the IHA Hall of Fame, it is an understatement to say that the present generation of Muckross senior players have big shoes to fill - but they are primed to embrace this proud legacy with a return to where it all began to write the next chapter.
Club President Sarah Green believes that the landmark move is key to Muckross'
continuing success: “Each year we want to develop our players, improve our teams'
performances and be more competitive as a club. The move back to Muckross Park College is part of a long-term strategic plan for Muckross Hockey Club to compete at the highest level of provincial and national hockey. It's a very exciting time for us!†Relocation to Muckross Park College will provide additional training facilities for all players, an aspect which Muckross' Director of Coaching David Passmore deems crucial to the club's ongoing growth and development: “Moving back to the historical home of Muckross is an important development in the evolution of the club. It will provide high quality training facilities for all teams - more turf, more circles and increased peripheral facilities will allow all teams and coaches to maximise training time and integrate with each other to a higher levelâ€.
The move will also reunite Muckross' senior club operations with those of its vibrant junior section. Club Vice President, Junior Development Officer and 2013/2014 IHA 'Volunteer of the Year' nominee Ann Ronan is confident that this will further strengthen the reputation of Muckross as a club for all ages, and a club for life: “The Junior club, which draws in players from many different schools, have been training and playing in Muckross Park for the past two seasons. The facilities are fantastic - having use of a pitch and a half has meant that we’ve been able to introduce more girls to hockey and significantly reduce waiting lists. The atmosphere is
brilliant at our Sunday morning sessions, and we very much look forward to it spreading throughout the week as our Seniors join us this season!â€
Similarly, the move will ensure a base for the Muckross Vets. Judy Cohen looks forward to having a pitch to call 'home': “So many friendships were made in Muckross Park and many are still going strong. The Vets are delighted to move back to the green, green grass of home... or should I say green astroturf!"
Muckross Hockey Club wishes to extend sincere and warm thanks to The Teresian School for their facilitation of senior club operations for the past eleven seasons. There have been many a proud day in green and white on that pitch, and a myriad of memories made which will drive the club onwards as this vital step is taken.
Muckross Park College will open its gates to all MHC pre-season activity from
early August. Past, present and future united as one in the heart of Donnybrook
- #MuckrossMagic is coming home.
The 2013/2014 IHA 'Club of the Year' nominee has shown strong resolve towards
reestablishing itself as a dominant force in Irish club hockey. A series of key coaching appointments over the past few seasons of competitive action have brought divisional promotions across the Leinster league spectrum, cup final appearances, a wealth of new playing talent and an overall resurgence in club pride - all testament to the club's ambition for the future. However, an integral part of moving forward is looking back...
Founded in 1918 by the past pupils of Muckross Park College, Muckross Hockey Club's Roll of Honour is one of the most decorated in Irish club hockey. With over 30 Leinster league titles, an unparallelled 29 Leinster Senior (Jacqui Potter) Cup wins, a strong representation at international level and a record seven past players inducted into the IHA Hall of Fame, it is an understatement to say that the present generation of Muckross senior players have big shoes to fill - but they are primed to embrace this proud legacy with a return to where it all began to write the next chapter.
Club President Sarah Green believes that the landmark move is key to Muckross'
continuing success: “Each year we want to develop our players, improve our teams'
performances and be more competitive as a club. The move back to Muckross Park College is part of a long-term strategic plan for Muckross Hockey Club to compete at the highest level of provincial and national hockey. It's a very exciting time for us!†Relocation to Muckross Park College will provide additional training facilities for all players, an aspect which Muckross' Director of Coaching David Passmore deems crucial to the club's ongoing growth and development: “Moving back to the historical home of Muckross is an important development in the evolution of the club. It will provide high quality training facilities for all teams - more turf, more circles and increased peripheral facilities will allow all teams and coaches to maximise training time and integrate with each other to a higher levelâ€.
The move will also reunite Muckross' senior club operations with those of its vibrant junior section. Club Vice President, Junior Development Officer and 2013/2014 IHA 'Volunteer of the Year' nominee Ann Ronan is confident that this will further strengthen the reputation of Muckross as a club for all ages, and a club for life: “The Junior club, which draws in players from many different schools, have been training and playing in Muckross Park for the past two seasons. The facilities are fantastic - having use of a pitch and a half has meant that we’ve been able to introduce more girls to hockey and significantly reduce waiting lists. The atmosphere is
brilliant at our Sunday morning sessions, and we very much look forward to it spreading throughout the week as our Seniors join us this season!â€
Similarly, the move will ensure a base for the Muckross Vets. Judy Cohen looks forward to having a pitch to call 'home': “So many friendships were made in Muckross Park and many are still going strong. The Vets are delighted to move back to the green, green grass of home... or should I say green astroturf!"
Muckross Hockey Club wishes to extend sincere and warm thanks to The Teresian School for their facilitation of senior club operations for the past eleven seasons. There have been many a proud day in green and white on that pitch, and a myriad of memories made which will drive the club onwards as this vital step is taken.
Muckross Park College will open its gates to all MHC pre-season activity from
early August. Past, present and future united as one in the heart of Donnybrook
- #MuckrossMagic is coming home.
