Munster hockey hosts girls U16 and U18 inter-pros at Garryduff Sports Centre

Lisnagarvey Hockey Club was the stage for the U16 and U18 Boys Interprovincial Tournaments last weekend.

Nicky Stokes, President Munster Branch Hockey Ireland with Munster Under 18 Captains, Kate Collins, U18 and Harry McCourt, U18. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

This weekend, Cork becomes the home of Irish youth hockey as Munster hosts the Hockey Ireland Inter-provincial Series 2025 at the Garryduff Sports Grounds.

With the best young talent from across the country on show, the stage is set for three days of elite competition.

The inter-provincials are a cornerstone of the domestic hockey calendar, offering a vital pathway for young athletes aspiring to represent Ireland on the international stage.

Despite some strong performances from Munster sides in recent times, these Irish squads have largely been dominated by Leinster and Ulster athletes. This weekend, with home advantage, Munster will be hoping to propel a few more athletes to that next level.

Munster Branch President Nicky Stokes said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting. It’s a chance for our players to perform in front of family and friends, and for the wider community to see the incredible standard of youth hockey in Ireland.

“We would like to acknowledge the work that has gone on in the background too from members of the Munster Branch and beyond. It promises to be a fantastic weekend”.

The tournament kicks off on Friday afternoon with Munster’s U16 and U18 teams facing Leinster South, followed by a high-stakes clash with Ulster later that evening.

Saturday and Sunday bring a full slate of matches, culminating in a prize-giving ceremony on the main pitch where individual awards will honour standout performances in technical excellence, athleticism, and leadership.

Meanwhile, Lisnagarvey Hockey Club was the stage last weekend for the U16 and U18 Boys Interprovincial Tournaments, where Leinster ultimately came out on top in both competitions. Despite Leinster’s double success, Munster delivered strong performances across the age groups and claimed some notable results along the way.

In the U16 Boys tournament Munster opened their campaign on Friday evening, with a narrow 3–2 defeat to Ulster. On Saturday, they pushed Leinster all the way in a seven-goal thriller, eventually losing out 4–3.

Sunday brought reward for Munster’s persistence, as they finished their tournament with an impressive 3–1 win over champions Leinster. Earlier that morning they had gone down 3–2 to Ulster in another tight contest.

In the U18 tournament, Munster faced a tough start, losing 2–0 to Ulster on Friday after the northern side had earlier been beaten 2–1 by Leinster.

Saturday saw Munster bounce back in style, producing one of the performances of the weekend to defeat Leinster 3–1. Later that day, Leinster and Ulster drew 1–1, leaving all to play for on the final day.

On Sunday morning, Ulster proved too strong in a 5–3 win over Munster, before Leinster sealed the title with a narrow 2–1 victory over Munster.

While Leinster lifted both trophies, Munster showed fight and flashes of real promise. The U16s’ victory over Leinster and the U18s’ excellent 3–1 win highlighted the progress being made at provincial level.

FIXTURES 

FRIDAY 

U16: Munster v Leinaster South, 2pm; Leinster v Connacht, 4pm; Munster v Ulster, 6.30pm.

U18: Munster v Leinster South, 2.30pm; Leinster v Connacht, 4.30pm; Munster v Ulster, 6.30pm.

SATURDAY 

U16: Leinster v Leinster South, 10am; Connacht v Ulster, noon; Munster v Leinster, 2pm; Leinster South v Connacht, 4pm.

U18: Leinster v Leinster South, 10.30am; Connacht v Ulster, 12.30pm; Munster v Leinster, 2.30pm; Leinster South v Connacht, 4.30pm.

SUNDAY 

U16: Ulster v Leinster, 10am; Munster v Connacht, noon; Ulster v Leinster South, 3pm.

U18: Ulster v Leinster, 10.s0am; Munster v Connacht, 12.30pm; Ulster v Leinster South, 3.30pm.

Munster U16 girls squad: Katie Burke (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Eva Dullea (Cork Harlequins HC / Mount Mercy College); Tessa Dwyer (Cork Harlequins HC / Midleton College); Sydney Forde (Cork Harlequins HC / Mount Mercy College); Rosa Harrington (Crescent College); Michaela Jones (Waterford HC / Newtown School); Caoilinn Lane (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College); Ellie MacMahon (Crescent HC / Crescent College); Emma McDonald (Carlow HC / Ursuline Thurles); Gabrielle Morrissey (Cashel New Inn HC / Ursuline Thurles); Sophia Neville (Limerick HC / Laurel Hill Coláiste); Lucy O'Brien (Cork Harlequins HC / Regina Mundi); Leah O'Connell (Cashel New Inn HC / Ursuline Thurles); Aiveen O'Donoghue (Waterford HC / St Angela's); Roisin Riordan (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College); Alannah Robertson (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College); Arabelle Sheahan (Ashton HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Sarah Spain (Cashel New Inn HC / Ursuline Thurles); Charlotte Bergin (Cashel New Inn HC / Rockwell College); Neala McDonagh (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College).

Munster U18 girls squad: Anna Rose Benson (Catholic Institute HC / Laurel Hill Coláiste); Susanna Burke (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Lily Burke (Waterford HC / St Augustine's College); Kate Collins (Bandon HC / Bandon Grammar); Saoirse Gaffney (Crescent HC / Laurel Hill Coláiste); Emma Grace (Cork Harlequins HC / Bandon Grammar); Isabelle Healy (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Kyah Kelly (Waterford HC / Newtown School); Jenny Murphy (Ashton HC / St Angela's Secondary); Katie Notely (Waterford HC / Newtown School); Rebecca O'Connell (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Grace O'Dwyer (Catholic Institute HC / Crescent College); Julie O'Farrell (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Ella O'Shaughnessy (Ashton HC / St Angela's Secondary); Emily Reddan (Catholic Institute HC / Laurel Hill Secondary); Alicia Reddan (Crescent HC / Crescent College); Ada Ryan (Cork Harlequins HC / Scoil Mhuire College); Catherine Scully (Crescent HC / Crescent College); Katya Shorten (Nenagh HC / Ursuline Thurles); Rachel Sweetnam (Cork Harlequins HC / Midleton College).