Fingal Hockey Club
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Biography:
Background to the Hockey Club 1954 - Aer Lingus Hockey Club founded by members of the Irish Air Corps who moved to Aer Lingus. 1978 - Aer Lingus first club to install floodlightsColts (under age) section inaugurated. 1981 - Aer Lingus play Premier League for first time. 1987 - Move to new ALSAA.First Astroturf laid in North Dublin. Pitch used for international training and matches and was the premier surface in Dublin. 1988 - Aer Lingus win the Irish Junior Cup. (Average age of players is 33). 1996 - First influx of Colts section emerges as senior players.New coaching structure established. 5 year plan established with objective to win promotion to Senior League, remain there and develop new young players. New carpet laid. Aer Lingus win promotion to Premier League. 2005 - Team finishes second in Premier league and qualify for Irish Club Championships (top 4 teams in Ireland). Reach final of Neville Cup (Average age - 24). 2006 - Name changed to Fingal Hockey Club to more accurately reflect the broad base of the club membership. 2008 – Fingal HC qualifies for inaugural Irish Hockey League, an elite Irish hockey league set up to improve hockey standards within Ireland. 2010 - Launch of Colts Section. Recruitment drive based on attracting new players from local schools. This is being supported by the Leinster Branch Hockey Union. 2012 – Club wins Leinster Branch Intermediate Cup
Current Position Fingal HC has remained at the pinnacle of Men’s hockey in Leinster for over a decade. The achievement of being promoted to Division 1 and remaining there is nearly unique in the men’s game. The Club currently fields four senior men’s sides competing in Leinster leagues and All-Ireland competitions The Club has recently re-introduced its Colts (underage) section catering for both boys and girls aged from 6-12 years of age. It has consistently been successful in both League and Cup campaigns, and teams have been competing in the finals of tournaments relative to their individual team levels. Throughout the Club’s history the Club has been able to attract new players from the North County area and surrounding counties due to its ethos and record.