Mossley Hockey Club
Encyclopedia
| Address | The Glade, Mossley, Newtownabbey Newtownabbey Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course... |
| Phone | (+44) 28 9084 9151 |
| Website | www.mossleyhockeyclub.com |
| Chairman 2007-2008 | Dougie Sleith |
| Secretary 2007-2008 | David McKinstry |
| Sports | Men's Hockey |
| Branch | Ulster Branch of the IHA Ulster Hockey Union The Ulster Hockey Union is the administrative arm of the Irish Hockey Association with responsibility for men's hockey throughout the province of Ulster.... |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Club Colours | Maroon & Amber Shirt, Black Shorts, Maroon & Amber Socks |
Mossley Hockey Club is a field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
club for men based in the village of Mossley in Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. It was formed in 1929 following a meeting of employees of Henry Campbell’s Mill in the village. The club currently fields six adult teams, with the first team plaing in the Premier League of the Ulster Senior League
Ulster Senior League (Men's Hockey)
The Ulster Senior League is a league competition for the first teams of men's hockey clubs affiliated to the Ulster Hockey Union of the Irish Hockey Association.-Formation:...
. In 1994 the Club won a coaching award in recognition of its work with young players.
Early years
During the 1930s the Club enjoyed great success in the Intermediate and Junior League. In 1942 the first team won through to the Irish Junior CupIrish Junior Cup (Men's Hockey)
The Irish Junior Cup is a knockout trophy played for field hockey clubs in Ireland. Entry is open to sides that do not qualify for the Irish Senior Cup and to the second teams of clubs that play in the Irish Senior Cup...
, but were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat by Pembroke Wanderers II. Two years later fortunes were reversed when Mossley won the Irish Junior Cup for the first time with a 3-0 win over Graiguenamanagh.
The First XI were promoted to Qualifying League B and Senior status was attained when that section was won in 1951.
1950s and 1960s
The first Senior trophy final was in the Kirk CupKirk Cup
The Kirk Cup is the oldest hockey tournament in Ulster and the oldest provincial hockey trophy in Ireland. It has become a tradition since the 1966-67 season for the final to be played on Boxing Day, a date previously reserved for the Anderson Cup Final. The final attracts the largest crowd of the...
in 1953-54, when defeat was suffered at the hands of Lisnagarvey
Lisnagarvey Hockey Club
Lisnagarvey Hockey Club is the most successful Irish men's hockey club. The club is based in Hillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland. It has a current membership of 700. The club also has a ladies section.-Formation:...
by 2 goals to one after extra time.
The First XI were beaten in the Ulster Final of the Irish Senior Cup
Irish Senior Cup (Men's Hockey)
The Irish Senior Cup is the premier knock-out trophy played for by the best men's hockey clubs in Ireland. It is one of the oldest hockey tournaments in the world.-Historical format:...
in 1964-65 by Portrush
Portrush Hockey Club
Portrush Hockey Club is a hockey club affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association based in Portrush, County Antrim. The club currently plays in Section 2 of the Ulster Senior League.-Formation:...
.
In 1966 the Second team won the Irish Junior Cup
Irish Junior Cup (Men's Hockey)
The Irish Junior Cup is a knockout trophy played for field hockey clubs in Ireland. Entry is open to sides that do not qualify for the Irish Senior Cup and to the second teams of clubs that play in the Irish Senior Cup...
with a 4-0 win over the Catholic Institute II, Limerick.
The Anderson Cup was won by the First XI in 1966-67 and the following season promotion was gained to the top section of the Ulster Senior League
Ulster Senior League (Men's Hockey)
The Ulster Senior League is a league competition for the first teams of men's hockey clubs affiliated to the Ulster Hockey Union of the Irish Hockey Association.-Formation:...
. This position would be held until the end of 2002-03.
1970s and 1980s
In 1973 Mossley made a second appearance in the Kirk CupKirk Cup
The Kirk Cup is the oldest hockey tournament in Ulster and the oldest provincial hockey trophy in Ireland. It has become a tradition since the 1966-67 season for the final to be played on Boxing Day, a date previously reserved for the Anderson Cup Final. The final attracts the largest crowd of the...
Final, losing to Lisnagarvey
Lisnagarvey Hockey Club
Lisnagarvey Hockey Club is the most successful Irish men's hockey club. The club is based in Hillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland. It has a current membership of 700. The club also has a ladies section.-Formation:...
after a replay. In 1983, a third Kirk Cup Final appearance, again against Lisnagarvey was won 2-0.
The Second XI were successful in the 1986 Irish Junior Cup
Irish Junior Cup (Men's Hockey)
The Irish Junior Cup is a knockout trophy played for field hockey clubs in Ireland. Entry is open to sides that do not qualify for the Irish Senior Cup and to the second teams of clubs that play in the Irish Senior Cup...
defeating Banbridge Second XI in the Final. The team was captained by David McKinstry, who was also a member of the 1966 Cup winning team.
Grounds
The original grass pitches at Mossley were abandoned in 1976 and the Club played home games at the City of Belfast Playing Fields at Mallusk. The present site at The Glade was purchased in 1984, and in 1991 the Club installed a synthetic surface. In 2004 the original artificial surface was replaced.Notable members
In 1952 the first International honour came to Mossley when Bryan Gilroy was chosen to play for Ireland. Harold Burns Jnr made his debut in the First XI in 1969 and was the second member of the Club to gain full International honours in 1978. Paul Cooke made his first appearance in the Irish Squad, along with two other Club members David Gordon and Richard Willis in 1985.Derek Watt was the Ulster Hockey Union President in 1985.
Honours
- Kirk CupKirk CupThe Kirk Cup is the oldest hockey tournament in Ulster and the oldest provincial hockey trophy in Ireland. It has become a tradition since the 1966-67 season for the final to be played on Boxing Day, a date previously reserved for the Anderson Cup Final. The final attracts the largest crowd of the...
(1) 1983-84
- Anderson CupAnderson Cup (Ulster hockey)The Anderson Cup is a hockey tournament for clubs that are members of the Premier League of the Ulster Senior League. The current holder is Banbridge.-Trophy:...
1966-67, 1988-89
- Irish Junior CupIrish Junior Cup (Men's Hockey)The Irish Junior Cup is a knockout trophy played for field hockey clubs in Ireland. Entry is open to sides that do not qualify for the Irish Senior Cup and to the second teams of clubs that play in the Irish Senior Cup...
(3) 1943-44, 1965-66, 1985-86