Nenagh Hockey Club named Munster Club of the Year

There was great applause at the Munster Hockey Awards in the Cork International Airport Hotel on Friday, when Nenagh Hockey Club were awarded Club of the Year.

Citing the Club’s historic achievements of entering a Men’s team for the first time in 100 years, as well as re-establishing a Senior Women's team for the first time in over twenty years, the Club was also recognised for its outstanding contribution to the growth and development of hockey in the North Munster region. Accepting the Club of the Year award on behalf of Nenagh Hockey Club were Treasurer Trish Quigley and Secretary Olivia Burke, the latter saying: "We are delighted to be recognised by MBHI.

“The Club is going from strength to strength and it is great to have entered Mens and Women's teams, especially after such a long hiatus. Hockey has been played in Nenagh since 1897 so there is a real history and legacy there which we are determined to continue.

“We all really enjoyed watching those Senior games this year and seeing our younger players step up to Senior competition was a great source of pride for parents and coaches alike.

We have some great hockey talent and with the new pitch coming on line in September, the Club will look to build on what has been achieved this season - and with proper facilities right in the heart of Nenagh, the sky is the limit.”

The Club already had cause for celebration on the night when they picked up the trophy for winning their division in the Senior Women's competition. Picking up the award on behalf of the team, Coach Colin Stanley said “We had a great season. It was great to get Women's hockey re-established and we were determined to get promoted. Winning the double, Cup and League, was the icing on the cake. The sky is the limit for this team and with the new pitch coming soon to Nenagh, we will finally have the facility to continue to grow and develop as a team next year and beyond”.

Nenagh Hockey Club was re-established in 2019 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Despite not having proper facilities and having to play and train in Thurles, the Club has regularly won league and cup titles in Munster. The Hockey Club is currently developing a new facility in Nenagh College which will become a Regional Centre of excellence for hockey in North Munster.