Ireland’s women return to the top tier of EuroHockey Indoor Championship action this weekend after a 36-year wait, marking a significant moment after seven years on the rise.
It is a mark of how far they have come in a short space of time since re-engaging with the international game in 2019, moving up from Championship III and then, two years ago, winning Championship II with a 5-1 win over Lithuania.
Their immediate horizon is formidable at the UNYP Arena; on the journey prior to this week, they have yet to face a top-five ranked side. On Thursday, they meet reigning champions Germany on Thursday morning, before facing world number one Austria later the same day,
They got a taste at the Röhrmax Cup against Austria, Czechia and Belgium and Jenna McCarlie says it was an important moment of realisation.
“We knew it would be a step up but there’s no better time than 10 days before the Europeans,” she said. “We matched the intensity, scored in every game, and came away hungry for more.”
The performances offered both affirmation and a to‑do list. “That’s exactly what the tournament was for—to highlight some of those areas—but it also gave us the confidence in some of the areas we were stronger in.”
And perspective mattered: “We were coming away from every game almost frustrated with the results and then we had to sort of realise we were playing number 1, number 2, number 4 and 5 in the world.”
“I never say no to opportunities”
McCarlie was a late convert to the boards; the Irish side had been on the go for two years when – in 2021 – the Larne woman picked up an indoor stick at Queen’s University Belfast. Balancing a demanding dentistry course with hockey commitments, she still leaned into the chance.
“It was an opportunity that came up to trial and I was like, you know what, I’ll never say no to opportunities,” she says.
Within weeks, she debuted at the Nkosi Cup in South Africa in 2022. “I was going into that with very little experience,” she laughs, “but I was just so interested to experience something new within hockey.”
That leap of faith paid off. “I’m sitting here five years later as a better hockey player overall because of it. It’s really helped my outdoor game as well.”
Baptism of noise: a first cap to remember
Indeed, the Nkosi Cup – South Africa’s showcase indoor event, played out in a hall packed with young enthusiasts ready to be entertained – was a baptism of noise unlike anything she had previously experienced.
“There were hundreds packed in, maybe a thousand or two and it was live on tv. I remember walking out for my first cap being like: just soak up the atmosphere… it’s an unbelievable opportunity.
She laughs at the memory of the unknowns. “I didn’t really know my own strengths or weaknesses,” she admits. “I was so in the dark completely about going out to my first cap, but it was an unbelievable experience.”
That sense of occasion will be magnified in Prague. “None of us have probably been in front of a crowd like that’s going to be there,” she says.
“It’ll be about soaking it in but not letting it affect us, because the other European teams are used to big crowds. You’re just there to do one job and that is the hockey.”
Germany first—“no better way” to start
There’s no disguising the scale of Ireland’s group: Germany, Austria, Belgium. McCarlie meets it head on.
“That first game against Germany will be very, very tough,” she says, “but no better way to get into the tournament than against what many would say are the favourites.”
“As for Austria, we can take many strengths away from those Röhrmax performances,” she says, before adding a tactical wink: “We didn’t quite show all of our tricks… I’d say the opposition were the same.”
Experience where it counts—and milestones to match
What Ireland do have is an experienced core accustomed to elite club tempo with a quartet of players who have been together each step of the way since 2019.
“We’re very fortunate to have girls like Chloe Brown, Orla Fox, Orla Patton, Sarah Patton. They have huge club experience… and they’ve been in this group for so long.
Rob Abbott in coaching mode during the Röhrmax Cup. Picture: Frank Uijlenbroek/World Sport Pics
“We’ve also got a couple of new girls who are just so talented,” McCarlie says, pointing to newer pathways with Irish underage tours now becoming frequent under the Ireland All Stars banner.
Commitment
If there’s a thread that runs through the squad, it’s commitment—logistical, financial, and emotional.
“We’re a self‑funded programme,” McCarlie says plainly. “It shows the dedication of not just the girls but the coaches. We’re very lucky to have people like Milo [Michael Fulham] and Abbo [Rob Abbott]… and Gareth Myburgh and Tyron Kritzinger. They give up their time completely voluntarily. They just love the sport.”
The hope is that staying at the top level can change the picture at home.
“If we can show that we deserve to play at this level and stay at this level, hopefully indoor hockey in Ireland can push to become more of a professional sport..
“We know the hard work and dedication has got us here—now it’s about staying here and pushing the sport on.”
