Lisnagarvey Hockey Club is a field hockey club based in Hillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1901 and was originally based in Lisburn. The club was named after Lisnagarvey, the townland that eventually expanded into Lisburn. The club's senior men's team plays in the Men's Irish Hockey League, the Men's Irish Senior Cup, the Kirk Cup and the Anderson Cup. They have previously played in the Ulster Senior League. The men's reserve team plays in the Men's Irish Junior Cup. Lisnagarvey has also represented Ireland in European competitions, winning the 1991 EuroHockey Club Trophy. Lisnagarvey also fields various men's and women's teams in junior, senior and veterans leagues and cup competitions affiliated to the Ulster Hockey Union.

History

Early years

Lisnagarvey Hockey Club was founded in September 1901, following a meeting held at the Temperance Institute on Railway Street, Lisburn. An earlier Lisburn Hockey Club was founded in 1897 so the new club was named after Lisnagarvey, the townland that eventually expanded into Lisburn. In 1903–04 the club joined a league for the first time and in 1904–05 the club won its first trophy, the Mulholland Shield. In 1905–06 Lisnagarvey reached the final of the Irish Junior Cup. After the first game against Monkstown finished 2–2 after extra time, they lost the replay 5–0. In 1922–23 Lisnagarvey won their first senior trophy when they won the Anderson Cup, defeating Antrim in the final. In 1924–25 Lisnagarvey won a quartet of trophies. In addition to winning the Anderson Cup for a second time, they also won the Irish Senior Cup, the Kirk Cup and the Ulster Senior League, all for the first time.

Men's Irish Senior Cup

Lisnagarvey is the Irish Senior Cup's most successful team. They won the cup for the first time in 1924–25, defeating Limerick PMYA over three games. Between 1987–88 and 1993–94 with a team that included Jimmy Kirkwood, Lisnagarvey won the cup for seven successive seasons.

Ulster Senior League

Men's Irish Junior Cup

In 1905–06 Lisnagarvey reached the final of the Irish Junior Cup for the first time. After the first game against Monkstown finished 2–2 after extra time, they lost the replay 5–0. In 1954–55 Lisnagarvey won the Irish Junior Cup for the first time after defeating UCD 4–0 in the final.

Kirk Cup

Anderson Cup

Men's Irish Hockey League

In 2008–09 Lisnagarvey were founder members of the Men's Irish Hockey League. Source: Source:

Lisnagarvey in Europe

Lisnagarvey has also represented Ireland in European competitions. After winning both the 1969–70 Irish Senior Cup and the 1969–70 British Club Championship, Lisnagarvey were invited to play in the 1971 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup. After retaining both the Irish Senior Cup and the British Club Championship in 1970–71, Lisnagarvey were invited to play in the 1972 EuroHockey Club Champions Cup.

Women's section

Lisnagarvey first formed a women's section in 1903–04. The original women's section was suspended during the First World War but was reformed in 1920. During the 1920s at least two Lisnagarvey women's players – Sylvia Kirkwood and K. Kirkwood – represented Ireland.

Grounds

Lisnagarvey originally played their home games at two separate pitches in Lisburn – one at Magheralave Road and the other at Antrim Road. Lisnagarvey took over the Magheralave Road pitch from the original Lisburn Hockey Club after it disbanded around 1907–08. They continued to use this pitch until 1933–34. In the early 1950s Lisnagarvey purchased ground in Blaris, near the Lisnagarvey transmitting station. The club members subsequently built their own pitch and pavilion. In the 1980s the club established an artificial pitch complex at a completely new venue nearby. The new home was named New Blaris. In 2002 New Blaris was sold and the club temporarily played its home games at Queen's University. Work on a new home at Comber Road, Hillsborough, County Down was started in 2004. This facility featuring a new clubhouse and two water-based artificial turf pitches was completed in time for the start of the 2005–06 season.

Notable players

Men's field hockey internationals

In 1908 Fred Hull became the first Lisnagarvey player to play for Ireland. He made his debut as a substitute in a match against Wales. Source:

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Women's field hockey internationals

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Recipients of the Military Cross

During the First World War forty-three club members served with the British Armed Forces. Of these four were killed and four were wounded. Four others received the Military Cross. Source:

Notable Supporters

As the most successful regional male team, Lisnagarvey has attracted many notable supporters such as Paddy O'Brien.

Honours

Men

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Women