THE EY Hockey League, Ireland’s highest division of club hockey, returns this weekend with the Women’s competition beginning on Saturday, September 28.
The League this season will see 10 Women’s teams and 10 Men’s teams from across Ireland compete in 18 rounds of elite level competition to decide who will be crowned EY Hockey League winners 2024/25.
The top six in each League after 18 rounds then advance to the EY Champions Trophy weekend, with the ultimate Champion for the season being determined. Both the League winners and Trophy Champions receive qualification to EuroHockey‘s club competition, representing Ireland. The format plays out across both Women’s and Men’s Leagues on an equal basis.
The beginning of the 2024/25 season brings with it two brand new and exciting additions.
The new season sees the addition of Shootout Competition in the event of drawn matches. Should teams be drawn on goals at the conclusion of regular time, the teams will both be awarded 1 point, with an additional point awarded to the winner of the new Shootout Competition format.
Hockey Ireland has also announced the launch of its brand-new livestreaming Season Pass via its platform – Hockey Ireland TV. For the 2024/25 Season, hockey action across all major Hockey Ireland competitions, along with replay and commentary, will be streamed live to the platform as well as being available on demand.
The Hockey Ireland TV Season Pass starts at EUR 19.99 and is available as a limited offer only to the first 999 purchases. Thereafter, the Season Pass costs EUR 39.99 for a minimum of 30 games across the 2024/25 season. Games are also available for a monthly fee of EUR 5.99 or on a game basis for EUR 9.99.
The Hockey Ireland TV initiative is designed to kick-start a surge in hockey content available to view on fans’ screens and it is hoped that once up and running, more high-level content will be produced for the channel.
EY Ireland continues its support of the League, having been the primary sponsor of the Irish Hockey League since 2016 with the formation of the EY Hockey League and its subsequent expansion to feature a second tier in 2019. The competition has since become universally known as the EYHL, a measure of the intrinsic link between the sponsor and the competition and provides an elite domestic hockey competition on an equal basis for both male and female players.
Simon McAllister, EY Ireland Strategy and Transactions Partner, said: “EY Ireland is very pleased to continue our support of the EY Hockey League as we get ready to begin yet another fantastic season. Hockey is going from strength to strength across this island and our international teams are having a real impact on the global sporting stage. EY Ireland is delighted once again this year to have the opportunity to continue our support of the incredibly talented players and coaches in the men’s and women’s leagues. We can’t wait for another action-packed season, and we wish all teams the very best of luck.”
Anne McCormack, CEO of Hockey Ireland, added: “The 2024/25 EY Hockey League, the top domestic hockey league in Ireland, brings with it a new set of ambitious and exciting developments on the back of a consultation process with clubs as part of our strategy, that aim to raise the profile of both the League and our sport. Our partnership with EY Ireland is invaluable to raising the game, assisting with the organisation and promotion of the EY Hockey League, its high quality of matches, and ensuring clubs across the island are able to compete at the highest level. We are really looking forward to some top-class matches taking place over the coming season as we embark upon what promises to be a highly competitive season.”
For all EY Hockey League fixtures visit https://hockey.ie/competitions/
