The Irish Hockey Association has announced the initial 10 players who have been selected to be the inaugural inductees into the new Irish Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Irish Hockey Hall of Fame is being launched at this year’s Irish Hockey Awards, in association with ESB and Howard Holdings, on 24 June to honour and recognise past playing legends in Irish hockey’s illustrious past.

An initial 10 players, five men and five women, are to be inducted as inaugural members, with a further male and female player to be added each year thereafter.

“The idea is to create a unique group of exceptional players in Irish hockey, whose achievements deserve to be honoured and preserved in Irish hockey’s proud history,” IHA Chief Executive Paul Varian said.

“Irish hockey is lucky to have such a deep, rich history of success and accomplishment and we are keen to institute the Irish Hockey Hall of Fame to preserve the greats of the past and present them as role models for our players of the future.”

To be eligible, a player must be permanently retired from international hockey and have made exceptional contributions to hockey in Ireland, from a playing standpoint.

Irish Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees
Ken Blackmore
Harry Cahill
Betty Henderson (Kyle)
Thelma Hopkins (McLernon)
Joan Horne (Priestman)
David Judge
Noel O’Dwyer
Joan O’Reilly
Maeve Shankey (Kyle)
Reg Treacy

For more information on the inductees, visit the Irish Hockey Association website, www.hockey.ie