It’s fitting that Three Rock Rovers, who have a strong youth programme
and are one of the favourites for honours this season in leagues and cups, have been awarded the EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy, the second highest tier of club hockey in Europe.
Rovers will host the competition from May 22nd to 25th, having qualified after winning their first Irish Senior Cup in 40 years last season.
Past experience has shown that the host clubs normally do well in these events, and with teams arriving from Scotland, Italy, Wales, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belarus and the Czech Republic for the eight-team event, Rovers will be eyeing promotion.
The level above is the Euro Hockey League, televised on Sky Sports and the highest tier of club competition. This is where several Irish international players, who are based in European clubs, can expect to find themselves playing.
“Everyone in the club is delighted to be hosting such a great event, bringing top-quality hockey to the area,” said club president Ailis Kennedy.
“We are really looking forward to preparing for the Euros and welcoming the local community to get behind the club. It shows the ambition Three Rock have to promote the sport in the best possible light and we believe that this will be a great showcase for doing just that.”
Excellent facilities
The club have excellent facilities at their Grange Road venue, where there are two water-based synthetic pitches, one of which was relaid over the summer, and a state-of-the-art club house.
One of the better grounds to watch matches, Rovers are no stranger to hosting finals over the years.
However, the last event of this size was in 1994, the club’s centenary year, when it hosted an international tournament featuring Ireland, England, Holland and Germany.
