To: Members & Parents/Guardians
The Committee of DNHC apologies for the delay in commencing the 2025/26 season.
We share the facilities with Hockey Ireland (HI) at the Sport Ireland Campus (SIC) Abbottstown. DNHC have been using the hockey pitch at SIC since 2011, HI arrived in 2019. We have in the past negotiated with the various HI CEO’s and have reached accommodation with slots.
However, for the current 2025/26 season HI have taken all the Sunday slots, most Saturdays, and the early midweek evenings.
The commitment to our Juniors, increasing from twenty to over two hundred, winning Leinster Junior competitions and participating in development squads, is now at risk.
Since early June we have attempted to reach a resolution which would allow us as a Club to share the hockey facility.
HI have refused to either meet or negotiate.
We are meeting Jack Chambers, Minister for Expenditure, and local TD, to assist in restoring our slots and ensure the very future of the Club.
In the meantime, we have lost over thirty Juniors, most who have advanced with our Junior coaches.
The cost of hiring the SIC for training and fixtures has increased by 20% in the last two years and we pay a much higher premium than Hockey Ireland.
Not having Sunday mornings has meant booking additional mid-week hours. Conscious of the cost of living increases we held membership fees at the same rate for the past three seasons. However, we now have no option but to increase all fees by 13% approximately.
The Committee has looked at other venues in the area, but the local hockey pitches are not available.
The AGM, which has been delayed while we are addressing the pitch issue, will be called in the next few weeks.
The Committee welcomes all suggestions, ideas or assistance.
How can you help and assist the club?
i) Write to Minister Chambers as per the attached suggested letter.
ii) Fundraise or seek sponsorship.
iii) Volunteer as a Coach, Manager, Umpire, Child Protection officer or Session Assistant.
iv) Join one of our Committees.
v) Suggest ideas to assist and improve the Club.
vi) Help organise fund raisers or organise a presentation evening.
Please contact the Club at Dublinhockey@gmail.com
Club Contact details:
Shane Dempsey 083 8675721 June Ryan 087 6184574
John Flannery 087 2438336 Bronagh Loughran 087 8719075
Laura Feeney 087 1268197 Kieran Dempsey 087 2523863
Claire Barry Murphy 087 9723499
Fiona O’Connor 086 3843647 Martin Keane 087 2554870
Cormac McKay 085 1489179 Amy O’Byrne 083 3961169
Note: Club Quiz Night Halfway House, Ashtown 19:00
€10 per person, please come along and support
