Connacht Hockey has been given a glimmer of hope to continue fostering the sport in Galway with the extension of the government's sports capital grant this year.
Aishling Keogh of Connacht Hockey says the club is "on its knees" both in its facilities and the ability to grow the sport in Galway, but is now looking to the grant as a lifesaver.
In addition the club has met with the city council in the hopes of attaining land for a new pitch, which, with the sports capital grant, would got a long way to helping their cause, while also working with Taylor's Hill school for planning on a pitch.
Keogh says both hockey and tennis have been hit hard by an obsession with taking up 2g pitches and replacing them with 3g which are unsuitable for both sports.
The Connacht Hockey Branch has been active for more than 60 years and in that time there has been no additional facilities, she says.
"Five Galway based clubs are still dependent on just one suitable playing pitch, and the change of surface at Oranmore in late 2020, reduced the training ground options for a number of clubs.
"We have been working hard and seeking ways to avail of new facilities in the area. This has meant meetings with local politicians, our own national governing body, Sport Ireland, the Junior Minister of Sport Jack Chambers and the city manager Brendan McGrath and his office who listened to the plight of our sport and were very empathetic to our current position.
"They are working closely with Connacht Hockey to find a solution for minority sports in the Galway area."
She says in 2020, three Galway based clubs celebrated milestones - Greenfields Hockey Club, which has been in existence in Galway since 1970, and Kinvara Hockey Club and Renmore, both of which were founded in 1980. None has a hockey pitch to call its own, she says
"Connacht Hockey is steeped in local history with many families taking part in the sport for decades. Hockey is one of a few sports which can be played from the cradle to the grave, with members into their late 70s and 80s still participating at veteran’s level."
She says Connacht Hockey will continue to raise awareness at a national and local level to highlight the urgent need for investment into field hockey.
"It is apparent that without funding and support at a local and national level, young hockey players will struggle to achieve their full potential in the sport.
