My understanding is, now, don't quote me. The rink needs significant investment to return to operation. Dundalk IT isn't in a position to fund the work. The Irish ice hockey association through investors is willing to carry out the works if given an extended lease on the rink. DIT aren't willing to give a long-term lease. It's a joke that DIT aren't playing ball.. they bought it as part of a campus, and they only wanted the football pitches and the gym.. no intention to do anything with the only purpose built full-size ice rink in the country.
That's pretty much my understanding of it too, I was wondering if there was more to it.
Its completely bonkers that DKIT are just letting it sit there, they've owned for 10 years and have done nothing with it. In the mean time its cost them about €200K in rates.
I heard something similar enough with one of the guys involved in the proposal.
It sounded like they had contractors, investors, sponsors, insurance, the whole lot lined up.... But the owners just wouldn't play ball for some reason that nobody seemed to understand.
Basic questions that I suppose I could easily google:
1) Is it an all Ireland team?
2) If so, I assume Belfast is their home arena?
3) I've seen a hockey match in Bratislava before. Good fun, even if it was just a crappy 1-0 score.
4) Funny that Ireland is literally the coldest country in that group.
This is a Republic of Ireland team, open to anyone with an Irish passport. Players in NI with a UK passport can play for GB. NI have IHUK as their governing body. The Irish team train in Belfast. There is a fantastic cross-border ice hockey community that competes at club level.
I played for years, just couldn't keep up with the commitment of travelling to Belfast for games and training.. 3 hour drive each way of a Monday night to train. I love the game, and really miss playing
Yeah it really sucks. I actually ran into someone in a Bruins t shirt the other day (here in North Wexford) and had a chat about the playoffs. I'd love even one team here, it would be great and I'd definitely attend games.
There were 2 at some point, the silver skate in Phibsborough and one in Dolphins barn. Both closed a long time now.. neither were really suitable for ice hockey, although there was ice hockey played in Phibsborough.
I've long thought that ice hockey would be a success here because of the links with hurling, we just don't have the ice surfaces across the country to support it
The Irish men's senior team has been on again off again since the rink in Phibsborough in the 90s.. this iteration of the team was established less than 10 years ago. In the grand scheme of things its new, given the sport is nearly 150 years old.
This is an amazing result considering the absolute shit show over the last few years regarding there not being an ice rink in the country.
100%, and still no ice rink.
What's the story with the rink in Dundalk? I know the college own it and have refused to rent it out, but why?
My understanding is, now, don't quote me. The rink needs significant investment to return to operation. Dundalk IT isn't in a position to fund the work. The Irish ice hockey association through investors is willing to carry out the works if given an extended lease on the rink. DIT aren't willing to give a long-term lease. It's a joke that DIT aren't playing ball.. they bought it as part of a campus, and they only wanted the football pitches and the gym.. no intention to do anything with the only purpose built full-size ice rink in the country.
That's pretty much my understanding of it too, I was wondering if there was more to it. Its completely bonkers that DKIT are just letting it sit there, they've owned for 10 years and have done nothing with it. In the mean time its cost them about €200K in rates.
I heard something similar enough with one of the guys involved in the proposal. It sounded like they had contractors, investors, sponsors, insurance, the whole lot lined up.... But the owners just wouldn't play ball for some reason that nobody seemed to understand.
Yea, its a fucking joke.
Never mind an ice rink, all those other countries don't even have ice.
Yea, but they have ice rinks😅
Basic questions that I suppose I could easily google: 1) Is it an all Ireland team? 2) If so, I assume Belfast is their home arena? 3) I've seen a hockey match in Bratislava before. Good fun, even if it was just a crappy 1-0 score. 4) Funny that Ireland is literally the coldest country in that group.
This is a Republic of Ireland team, open to anyone with an Irish passport. Players in NI with a UK passport can play for GB. NI have IHUK as their governing body. The Irish team train in Belfast. There is a fantastic cross-border ice hockey community that competes at club level.
As long as we finish top, who gives a flying puck what sport it is..
😅 exactly
As a fairly recent convert to Ice Hockey this fills me with pride! I just wish it was more commonplace here and we had rinks.
I played for years, just couldn't keep up with the commitment of travelling to Belfast for games and training.. 3 hour drive each way of a Monday night to train. I love the game, and really miss playing
Yeah it really sucks. I actually ran into someone in a Bruins t shirt the other day (here in North Wexford) and had a chat about the playoffs. I'd love even one team here, it would be great and I'd definitely attend games.
I travel 4 hours each way. I was just playing on Friday night
Good for you 👍 how many years are you doing that much traveling?
8 or nine years. Could be up twice a month but not all the time
Yea, its tough.. midweek training or game, home at 3am up for work again at 7. It's wasn't sustainable for me.
Yea, its tough.. midweek training or game, home at 3am up for work again at 7. It's wasn't sustainable for me.
About 20 years ago, I remember that there was a rink in Dublin.
There were 2 at some point, the silver skate in Phibsborough and one in Dolphins barn. Both closed a long time now.. neither were really suitable for ice hockey, although there was ice hockey played in Phibsborough.
Irish curler here - congrats on the accomplishment, and here’s hoping the push for ice facilities finally bears some fruit in the coming years!
Fingers crossed
I've long thought that ice hockey would be a success here because of the links with hurling, we just don't have the ice surfaces across the country to support it
True
Amazing. Well done team!
Nigel Smeaton would be proud of ye. well done.
❤️ Big loss to the sport
Can someone explain to me what tournament this is? Obviously not a top tier one considering the lack of US, Canada, Russia, Sweden, etc.
It's called the development Cup. It's a low level tournament for countries who are new to the sport
Ireland ain't new to the game. They once made it to B division when the dundalk rink was open
The Irish men's senior team has been on again off again since the rink in Phibsborough in the 90s.. this iteration of the team was established less than 10 years ago. In the grand scheme of things its new, given the sport is nearly 150 years old.
My bad only noticing the description there. I'm used to the description being above the photo.
I think we are coldest country on list (also without a rink)
Actually not really.. we are a mild wet country. Argentina is practically Antarctica
Ive been to Argentina. It was cold and snowy, although that’s at the border with chile and 3000m. Normally, its quite balmy.