Clubs frustrated in bid to tackle IHA

Clubs hoping to take the Irish Hockey Association (IHA) board to task over their handling of Ireland’s participation in a high-profile tournament in Argentina have encountered delays in their attempts to get a special general meeting held. Twelve clubs, 10 from Leinster and two from Ulster, wrote to the IHA via email on October 10 to trigger a clause in the national body’s constitution that would force an SGM to be convened inside 21 days.

However, it is understood that after this three-week period elapsed, clubs were told by the national body that a signed hard copy of the letter was required for the SGM to be convened. This letter is expected to be signed by the relevant parties and submitted by the end of the week. The IHA board initially withdrew the senior men’s team from the Champions Challenge I in Quilmes, citing the absence of a coach or manager. But after facing stinging criticism from players and supporters alike – fearing the deduction of ranking points that would undermine Ireland’s rise to 15th in the world rankings – the board subsequently apologised as it became clear finance was the main issue. That sparked a fundraising drive which yielded more than €60,000 in four days – surpassing the target of the €45,000 required to send the side to South America – with promises to ring-fence any surplus for the men’s national team. The 12 clubs have tasked the board with the following agenda: “The circumstances surrounding the recent IHA executive decision on October 2 to withdraw the Irish men’s national squad from the Champions Challenge I competition, and the manner of its implementation.”