The Irish Hockey Association is the National Governing Body for the
sport of field hockey in Ireland. Governing the 32 counties of Ireland,
theAssociation is responsible for the management and overall
development of all areas of the sport.
The Association was formed in 2000, as a result of the merger of the two pre-existing Unions which governed men's and women's hockey separately. Both pre-existing Unions' origins date back to the late
19th Century, when they were formed within a year of each other.
The IHA has a total of eight affiliated Branches that govern the sport
at regional and local level. Separate Branches administer men's and
women's hockey, although plans are being put in place to merge the
sport at Branch level also, as is the case at national level. Five
women's hockey Branches exist – Leinster, Munster,
Connacht,Ulster and South East, with three
men's hockey Branches existing in the form of
Leinster, Munster and Ulster. |