Old Alex Hockey Club Explained

Old Alex Hockey Club is a women's field hockey club based at Alexandra College in Milltown, Dublin, Ireland. The club enters teams in the Women's Irish Hockey League, the Women's Irish Senior Cup and the Women's Irish Junior Cup. The club was founded in 1893 as Alexandra Hockey Club. It claims to be the oldest women's field hockey club in Ireland. In 1947 it was renamed Old Alexandra Hockey Club.

History

Early years

Old Alex was founded in 1893 as Alexandra Hockey Club. It claims to be the oldest women's field hockey club in Ireland. It was originally a field hockey and tennis club for past and present pupils of Alexandra College. The club played their first game on Saint Patrick's Day in 1893 against Merton Hockey Club. Initially the subscription fee was two shillings and six pence and only Alexandra College pupils were allowed to join. In 1894 the club become founder members of the Irish Ladies Hockey Union. Two club members, Miss Story and Miss Lyster, arranged the union's first meeting at Alexandra College. In 1947 the club was renamed Old Alexandra Hockey Club and in 1960 it became an open club, allowing players with no previous connection to the College to join.[1] [2]

Irish Senior Cup

Old Alex won the Women's Irish Senior Cup for the first time in 1906.[2]

SeasonWinners ScoreRunners up
1906Alexandra 4–3Cork Ladies
1907Alexandra
1922Alexandra [3] 5–0Waterford
1924Alexandra [4] [5] Knock
1925Knock [6] 2–1Alexandra
1934Cork LadiesAlexandra
1986Portadown1–0 [7] Old Alexandra
1988Old AlexandraPembroke Wanderers
1991Old AlexandraMuckross
1998Pegasus5–0Old Alexandra
2006Hermes[8] [9] 1–0Old Alexandra
Notes
  1. Web site: Welcome to Old Alex Hockey Club!. oldalexhc.ie. 19 May 2019.
  2. News: Alex celebrate 120th anniversary on St Patrick’s Day. https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035406/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2013/03/alex-celebrate-120th-anniversary-on-st-patricks-day/#.W5QlTvZFxy0. usurped. 9 September 2018. www.hookhockey.com. 8 September 2018. 16 March 2013.
  3. News: unnamed article. 2. 17 February 1922. Belfast Newsletter.
  4. News: unnamed article. 2. 16 April 1924. Belfast Newsletter.
  5. After replay. First game finished 2–2 after extra time.
  6. News: unnamed article. 2. 12 March 1925. Belfast Newsletter.
  7. After replay. First game finished 1–1.
  8. Web site: Hermes v Old Alexandra - Womens Irish Senior Cup Hockey Final Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 11 October 2018. 26 March 2006.
  9. Web site: Hermes retain Women's Senior title. www.rte.ie. 4 November 2018. 14 June 2007.

Women's Irish Hockey League

During the 2010s Old Alex regularly played in the Women's Irish Hockey League.[10] [11] [12] After several seasons outside the national league, Old Alex gained promotion in 2018 after defeating Dublin University 2–1 in a promotion/relegation playoff.[13] [14] [15]

Irish Junior Cup

Old Alex's second team enter the Women's Irish Junior Cup.

SeasonWinners ScoreRunners up
1915Alexandra II
1920Alexandra II
1921Alexandra II
1998Pegasus IIOld Alexandra II
2005Loreto II1–0Old Alexandra II
2007Old Alexandra II [16] 2–0Bray
2010Randalstown II [17] 3–1Old Alexandra II

Home grounds

Old Alex are based at Alexandra College. The club has hosted interprovincial and international games. On 2 March 1896 the club hosted the first ever women's international field hockey match when Ireland defeated England 2–0.[2] [18]

Notable former players

Internationals

When the Ireland women's national field hockey team won the silver medal at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup, the squad included two former Old Alex players – Emily Beatty and Shirley McCay.

Umpire

First team coaches

Years
2018– Ivan Ovington [19]
2017–2018Nicky King
2016–2017Tarrin Ramsden [20]
2015–2016Nicky King
2013–2015Didi Cole [21] [22]
2012–2013Miles Warren
2010–2012Miles Warren and Ivan Ovington
1980sDavid Judge[23] [24] [25]

Honours

External links