Alison Meeke Explained

Fullname:Alison Meeke
Birth Date:7 June 1991 [1]
Position:Midfielder/Defender
Youthyears1:2003–2009
Youthclubs1:The High School, Dublin
Years1:200x–200x
Clubs1:Corinthian
Years2:200x–
Clubs2:Loreto
Years3:2009
Clubs3:DCU
Years4:2018
Clubs4:→ PSI All Stars
Nationalyears1:2014–
Nationalteam1:Ireland
Nationalcaps1:117+

Alison Meeke (born 7 June 1991), also referred to as Ali Meeke, is an Ireland women's field hockey international. She was a member of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup final. Meeke has also won Irish Senior Cup and Women's Irish Hockey League titles with Loreto.

Early years, family and education

Between 2003 and 2009 Meeke attended The High School, Dublin.[2] [3] Between 2010 and 2013 she attended Sallynoggin College of Further Education where she studied Fitness and Personal Training.[2] [4] Since 2017 she has attended St Mary's University, Twickenham where she is studying for a Master's degree in Strength and Conditioning.[2] [5] During her youth, Meeke also played Gaelic football with Ballyboden Wanderers. Together with Nicola Daly, she was a member of the Wanderers team that won 2008 Dublin Ladies Junior E Football Championship.[6] [7] [8]

Domestic teams

Early years

Between 2003 and 2009, Meeke played field hockey for The High School, Dublin. Her teammates and fellow students included Nicola Daly.[3] [9] Meeke and Daly were members the High School team that finished as runners-up in the 2005 Leinster Schoolgirls' Premier League. In the final they lost 2–0 to an Our Lady's, Terenure team captained by Emer Lucey.[10] [11] In her youth Meeke also played for Corinthian Hockey Club.[12] [7] [13] Meeke played for Dublin City University at intervarsity level, featuring in the 2009 Chilean Cup tournament. Her DCU teammates included Hannah Matthews.[14] [15]

Loreto

In 2008–09 Meeke was a member of the Loreto team that won the inaugural Women's Irish Hockey League title.[16] She was also a member of the Loreto team won the 2009–10 Irish Senior Cup.[17] Meeke has also represented Loreto in European competitions.[18] In June 2011 she was a member of the Loreto team that won the EuroHockey Club Champion's Challenge II.[19] In June 2014 she was also a member of the Loreto team that finished third at the European Club Championship Trophy tournament hosted by Leicester Hockey Club.[20] [21] In May 2018 Meeke was named Player of the Tournament as Loreto won the EY Champions Trophy.[22] [23] [24] Meeke's teammates at Loreto have included Nikki Symmons, Lizzie Colvin, Hannah Matthews and Nicola Daly.[16] [19]

PSI All Stars

In December 2018 Meeke played for the Pro Series Indoor International All-Stars in a series of exhibition indoor hockey games against South Africa.[25] [26] [27] [28]

Ireland international

Meeke made her senior debut for Ireland in April 2014 against India.[12] [7] In March 2015 Meeke was a member of the Ireland team that won a 2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 tournament hosted in Dublin, defeating Canada in the final after a penalty shoot-out.[29] She was also a member of the Ireland team that won the 2015 Women's EuroHockey Championship II, defeating the Czech Republic 5–0 in the final.[30] In 2017 Meeke made her 100th senior Ireland appearance during a series of games against Spain.[31]

Meeke represented Ireland at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup and was a prominent member of the team that won the silver medal.[8] [13] [32] [33] [34] [35] She featured in all of Ireland's games throughout the tournament, including the pool games against the United States,[36] India [37] and England,[38] the quarter-final against India,[39] [40] the semi-final against Spain [41] and the final against the Netherlands.[42] [43] In the quarter-final against India, Meeke scored in the penalty shoot–out to help send Ireland through to the semi-final.[39] [40]

TournamentsPlace
2014 Women's Hockey Champions Challenge I[44] 2nd
2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League[45] 15th
2015 Dublin Tournament1st
2015 Women's EuroHockey Championship II1st
2017 Women's Four Nations Cup[46] 2nd
2017 Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship[47] 6th
2018 Women's Hockey World Cup[48]
2018–19 Women's FIH Series Finals[49] [50] 2nd
2019 Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship[51] [52] 5th

Occupation

Meeke works as a field hockey coach and fitness instructor. Since 2011 she has coached at The High School, Dublin and since 2012 she has worked as a fitness instructor at University College Dublin. Since 2017 she has served as an ambassador for DB Sports Tours.[2] [18] [53] Since September 2016 she has also served as an assistant coach at Rathgar Hockey Club.[54] [55]

Honours

Field hockey

Ireland
Loreto

Gaelic football

Ballyboden Wanderers GAA

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup 2018 – Team Details Ireland . fih.ch. 5 August 2018.
  2. Web site: Ali Meeke. www.linkedin.com. 25 March 2019.
  3. Web site: Ireland hockey squad selection. www.highschooldublin.org.uk. 23 September 2018.
  4. Web site: Fitness and Personal Training Graduate Success Stories. careersportal.ie. 26 March 2019. 13 February 2019.
  5. Web site: Ali Meeke. 27 March 2019.
  6. Web site: Get To Know The Green Army Midfield. www.hockey.ie. 13 October 2018. 17 July 2018. 3 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191203214356/https://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10041853/. dead.
  7. News: Ali Meeke – Women's World Cup profiles. https://web.archive.org/web/20180726092252/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/ali-meeke-womens-world-cup-profiles/#.XJk74fZ2ty0. usurped. 26 July 2018. www.hookhockey.com. 25 March 2019. 21 July 2018.
  8. Web site: 20 things you didn't know about Ireland's hockey heroes. www.irishexaminer.com. 9 August 2018. 5 August 2018.
  9. Web site: The High School, Dublin - Hockey. www.highschooldublin.com. 25 September 2018.
  10. News: The long wait is over for Terenure. www.irishtimes.com. 23 November 2018. 17 December 2005.
  11. Web site: Our Lady's land Leinster crown. www.independent.ie. 26 September 2018. 17 December 2005.
  12. Web site: Get To Know The Green Army Midfield. www.hockey.ie. 13 October 2018. 17 July 2018. 3 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191203214356/https://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10041853/. dead.
  13. Web site: Meet Ireland's history-making World Cup hockey heroes. www.irishtimes.com. 12 August 2018. 1 August 2018.
  14. Web site: College bragging rights at stake up north. southernfriedhockey.com. 11 February 2019. 24 October 2009.
  15. Web site: Hosts Elks hoping for Varsity double. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090305/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2009/10/hosts-elks-hoping-for-varsity-double/#.XJqDtfZ2ty0. usurped. 27 March 2019. www.hookhockey.com. 26 March 2019. 25 October 2009.
  16. News: Loreto take national honours. www.hookhockey.com. 28 September 2018. 4 May 2009.
  17. News: Loreto strike gold in stellar encounter. www.hookhockey.com. 6 September 2018. 9 May 2010.
  18. Web site: Tour memories among Meeke's most cherished as Irish star takes on new role with DB Sports. https://web.archive.org/web/20171008180538/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/10/tour-memories-among-meekes-most-cherished-as-irish-star-takes-on-new-role-with-db-sports/#.XJqG-_Z2ty0. usurped. 8 October 2017. www.hookhockey.com. 26 March 2019. 3 October 2017.
  19. Web site: Small inspires large Loreto Euro victory. https://web.archive.org/web/20110616131355/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2011/06/small-inspires-large-loreto-euro-victory#.W7aMGPZFxy0. usurped. 16 June 2011. www.hookhockey.com. 4 October 2018. 13 June 2011.
  20. Web site: Loreto secures third spot in Europe! . www.loretohockeyclub.ie. 4 October 2018. 12 June 2014.
  21. Web site: Loreto confound expectations to land Euro bronze. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011410/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2014/06/loreto-confound-expectations-to-land-euro-bronze/#.XGFYD2lLFy0. usurped. 12 February 2019. www.hookhockey.com. 11 February 2018. 13 June 2014.
  22. News: Loreto Win EY Champions Trophy. www.hockey.ie. 30 September 2018. 6 May 2018.
  23. News: Loreto come from nowhere to take EY Champions Trophy. www.irishtimes.com. 27 September 2018. 6 May 2018.
  24. News: Joy for Loreto as Harlequins come up short once more. www.irishexaminer.com. 27 September 2018. 7 May 2018.
  25. Web site: Meet the All-Star team to take on South Africa at PSI Nationals. www.psihockey.ie. 3 April 2019. 7 November 2018.
  26. Web site: Meeke in All-Star line-up for Pro Series Indoor in Cape Town. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403231253/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/12/meeke-in-all-star-line-up-for-pro-series-indoor-in-cape-town/#.XJqJHvZ2ty1. usurped. 3 April 2019. www.hookhockey.com. 26 March 2019. 14 December 2018.
  27. Web site: Meeke rewarded for strong World Cup with All Star selection. www.independent.ie. 26 March 2019. 14 December 2018.
  28. Web site: International All-Stars produce flawless performance in victorious second match. www.sahockey.co.za. 3 April 2019. 16 December 2018.
  29. News: World League 2: Ireland beat Canada in shootout. www.bbc.co.uk. 22 October 2018. 22 March 2015.
  30. News: Golden moment for Ireland's women as McCay breaks caps record in Prague. https://web.archive.org/web/20150811144959/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/07/golden-moment-for-irelands-women-as-mccay-breaks-caps-record-in-prague/#.W5ggn_ZFxy0. usurped. 11 August 2015. www.hookhockey.com. 11 September 2018. 25 July 2015.
  31. Web site: 100 Caps for Loreto's Ali Meeke. www.loretohockeyclub.ie. 5 August 2018. 7 December 2017.
  32. News: Scramble for hockey tickets as Ireland stick it out. www.irishtimes.com. 4 October 2018. 4 August 2018.
  33. News: Sense of pride as Dublin crowd cheers hockey's rare spectacle. www.irishtimes.com. 4 October 2018. 5 August 2018.
  34. Web site: Hockey nerd Meeke says World Cup start of something special. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814235756/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/08/hockey-nerd-meeke-says-world-cup-start-of-something-special/#.XJqQdvZ2ty0. usurped. 14 August 2018. www.hookhockey.com. 26 March 2019. 9 August 2018.
  35. Web site: World Cup Homecoming for Loreto Superstars!. www.loretohockeyclub.ie. 4 October 2018. 22 August 2018.
  36. News: 'Magnificent' Ireland open hockey World Cup campaign with USA scalp. www.rte.ie. 9 August 2018. 21 July 2018.
  37. Web site: 'We can beat anyone in the world' - Optimism growing as O'Flanagan puts Ireland in last eight for first time. www.independent.ie. 10 August 2018. 26 July 2018.
  38. News: England v Ireland - Women's Hockey World Cup Finals Group B Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 10 August 2018. 29 July 2018.
  39. News: Ireland v India - Women's Hockey World Cup Finals Quarter-Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 25 March 2019. 2 August 2018.
  40. Web site: Green Army Beat India To Reach World Cup Semi Final. www.hockey.ie. 10 August 2018. 2 August 2018. 10 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235416/http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10042325/. dead.
  41. News: Ireland v Spain - Women's Hockey World Cup Finals Semi-Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 10 August 2018. 4 August 2018.
  42. News: As it happened: Ireland v Netherlands, Women's Hockey World Cup final. www.the42.ie. 10 August 2018. 5 August 2018.
  43. News: Ali Meeke - World Cup Final 2018. www.highschooldublin.org.uk. 25 March 2019. 16 September 2018.
  44. News: USA too strong but long-term Irish gains abound from Champs Challenge. https://web.archive.org/web/20160121195308/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2014/05/usa-too-strong-but-long-term-irish-gains-abound-from-champs-challenge/#.W8ZIOPZFxy0. usurped. 21 January 2016. www.hookhockey.com. 16 October 2018. 6 May 2014.
  45. News: Ireland v Lithuania - World Hockey League 2 Quarter-Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 16 October 2018. 19 March 2015.
  46. News: Irish Women's 4 Nations squad announced. www.bbc.co.uk. 16 October 2018. 7 June 2017.
  47. Web site: Czech favour rescues Irish women's Euro status. https://web.archive.org/web/20181018043106/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/08/czech-favour-rescues-irish-womens-euro-status/#.W8eEefZFxy0. usurped. 18 October 2018. www.hookhockey.com. 17 October 2018. 27 August 2017.
  48. News: Ireland v Netherlands - Women's Hockey World Cup Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 1 September 2018. 5 August 2018.
  49. Web site: Hawkshaw, Barr and Buckley set for major tournament debuts. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603144952/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/05/hawkshaw-barr-and-buckley-set-for-major-tournament-debuts/#.XWVnym5Fxy0. usurped. 3 June 2019. www.hookhockey.com. 27 August 2019. 31 May 2019.
  50. Web site: Three changes in Ireland women's squad for FIH Series in Banbridge . www.bbc.com. 21 August 2019. 31 May 2019.
  51. Web site: Ireland women come up just short in semi-final bid. www.irishtimes.com. 28 August 2019. 21 August 2019.
  52. Web site: Ireland women beat Russia to secure fifth place in Belgium. www.irishtimes.com. 28 August 2019. 25 August 2019.
  53. Web site: Alison Meeke. www.hockey.ie. 5 August 2018. 5 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180805143504/http://www.hockey.ie/playerprofile/4467/. dead.
  54. Web site: Rathgar appoint Gray and Meeke to coaching team. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918234906/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2016/09/rathgar-appoint-gray-and-meeke-to-coaching-team/#.XJqKJ_Z2ty0. usurped. 18 September 2016. www.hookhockey.com. 26 March 2019. 14 September 2016.
  55. Web site: Rathgar – Women's Leinster Division 1 preview. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403231342/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2016/09/rathgar-womens-leinster-division-1-preview/#.XJqOgPZ2ty0. usurped. 3 April 2019. www.hookhockey.com. 26 March 2019. 23 September 2016.