Ulster threaten to defy IHA over All Ireland League proposal

On Sunday an egm vote will be taken by Irish Hockey Association (IHA) members on whether an All Ireland League should be organised along the lines of rugby's AIL. The theory is it will afford the top teams better matches and standards will rise.

But that decision will arise with the backdrop of one of the association's branches, Ulster, firmly opposing any such idea.

What was seen to be a straightforward vote by stake -holders on the issue of forming an AIL for hockey has become the most divisive issue in the sport since the controversy surrounding Irish inclusion in the Olympic Games in 1980.

IHA chief executive Mike Heskin doesn't see the issue as stark as that but in a strongly-worded document sent to club secretaries in Ulster, the branch accuses the IHA, of a having a 'degree of contempt' for the province's position. That's strong language from a branch to a governing body. The IHA deny they showed contempt.

No response

Ulster Hockey’s management board says it wrote to the IHA in June but received no response or offer of dialogue on the concerns they had for Ulster hockey. Now, before a vote has been cast, the Ulster board say they won’t ‘participate in a full IHL option’.

“Two members of the board will attend (the EGM) to outline the position of Ulster Hockey, our clubs and the result of our vote. They will also stipulate that Ulster clubs will not participate in a full-season IHL”

The IHA have been strongly canvassing to introduce the proposal of an AIL, on which they will vote on Sunday in the Stillorgan Park Hotel in Dublin.

Just how the Mexican stand-off can be resolved is unclear but already damage has been done to an association that has held together, often through tough times.

The 1980 issue that threatened to split the then Irish Hockey Union (IHU) arose in the run in to the Olympic Games in Moscow. Because teams had been pulling out of the tournament following the US-led boycott over the war in Afghanistan, Ireland was asked to be on standby to compete. The IHU said no thanks, which drew the ire of some international players and prompted the resignation of the then Irish team manager Con Lynch.

The issue was raised again by Leinster Branch president Fred Brady in 1981 with a view to competing in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. His motion was that players should be allowed aspire to participate in the Olympics. The motion was opposed by Ulster. A secret ballot was held and it was defeated. The Union remained a 32-county body and has been strong since then.

“The reality is if you take the situation on Sunday in terms of the vote we have 50 votes registered in which we will have 11 registered from Ulster,” says Mr Heskin.

“In context, at the AGM in May we would have had seven registered from Ulster. Our (IHA) president is from Ulster, one third of our board is Ulster. The working group that put together the AIL proposal had five people and two of them were club people from Ulster.

“I fully understand the concerns but that is something which is reflected in other provinces as well not just Ulster. The reality is Ulster is fully engaged in the process.”

Sunday’s public ballot and what happens afterwards may threaten the integrity of the IHA. If the vote for an AIL goes through and Ulster follow up their threat and decline to take part, what then?

“The decision of participation is up to the clubs,” adds the ceo. “If this goes through certain clubs will qualify (for the AIL) and they will say if they want to participate or not. If it goes through we are happy to start the competition in 10 months time.”