Tuesday, May 26 – Dublin: On Sunday, May 24, Hockey Ireland held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM). While a core governance requirement, the AGM also provided an opportunity to update the hockey community on the current state of the sport and plans for the future.
Held online, with Hockey Ireland Board Directors and staff located at the Sport Ireland Campus, the 2026 AGM formally approved the audited financial statements, elected new Directors and Board members, voted on constitutional changes and appointed auditors. It also provided updates from Chair Niamh Byrne and newly appointed CEO Richard Fahey.
The meeting was formally opened by Chair Niamh Byrne, who stated that “Hockey Ireland is in the most exciting place that we have seen it,” and provided a positive overview of the sport across areas including elite performance, the development pathway, inclusion initiatives, participation, Masters and Indoor hockey. The Chair also recognised the contributions of Hockey Ireland’s partners and supporters, its staff, and the Directors stepping down from the Board. The main proceedings of the meeting then followed.
Hockey Ireland CEO Richard Fahey, who commenced in the role in February, shared his views on the current state of Hockey Ireland as he takes up his new position and presented a report on the affairs of the company in 2025. Highlights included World Cup qualification for both the Senior Women’s and Men’s teams, as well as the approval of the talent development framework.
The report also highlighted the successful delivery of a full season of competition, progress in coaching with 53 courses delivered in 2025, developments in officiating and umpiring, with 2,973 participants completing Hockey Ireland’s online rules test, and continued success across Masters and Indoor teams, Hockey4All and HockeyID programmes.
Membership formed a core part of the CEO’s update, with total registered members for the 2025/26 season reported at 31,636, representing a 10% increase on the previous season. Despite this growth, the strategic importance of membership income was underlined, with membership contributing just 14% of overall revenue — a figure noted as low relative to other sports. Membership compliance was identified as a key priority to ensure the sport is sustainably funded, with the CEO stressing the importance of full Provincial and Club support in this regard.
Acknowledging the successes achieved to date, Richard Fahey also outlined the current and future challenges facing the sport. He concluded by stating that hockey in Ireland is at a pivotal moment and has an opportunity to move to the next level, but will only do so through the hockey community working together to strengthen the game.
Attendees also heard that Hockey Ireland’s revenues exceeded €5 million for the first time in 2025, with grant funding representing 54% of total revenues and commercial revenues accounting for 46% of income, including sponsorship revenues of €700,000. Increased revenues were offset by greater investment in the game and rising inflation-related costs across the global economy, resulting in a small surplus of €3,000.
Members also voted in favour of a number of constitutional amendments aimed at ensuring compliance with Revenue requirements, the Companies Act and best practice governance standards.
Following the retirement of outgoing board members, Claire Savage, Billy Pollock and Iain Kelly from the Board, four new members were elected, namely, Alistair Tosh, Jane Joyce, Holly Jenkinson and Claire McMonagle.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Chair Niamh Byrne and President Barbara O’Malley thanked attendees for their participation and continued support.
The Hockey Ireland Annual Report 2025 is available on the Hockey Ireland website and can be accessed below.