Hey folks! Guess what? Four talented players from Louth are part of the Irish ice hockey team that’s jetting off to compete in the 2023 International Ice Hockey Foundation Development Cup in Poland next month. How cool is that?
Let me introduce you to these awesome players. We have Sonya McEneaney and Lorna Hoey from Dundalk, who started playing ice hockey back in 2007 when the Ice Dome opened in town. And then we have Beatty Hosgood, who joined the team in 2008, and Zsofia Bartl from Hungary, who recently hopped on board. Talk about a diverse squad!
Sonya and Lorna used to play for the Dundalk Lady Bulls team, and they still remember the buzz when the Ice Dome hosted the International Ice Hockey Federation Division III World Championships in 2007. Unfortunately, the Dome closed down in 2010, so now they have to travel to Belfast, the only ice rink on the island, to practice and play.
It’s not always easy, though. Sonya admits that it takes a lot of dedication to keep the team going. They even had to switch to roller hockey when the rink in Dundalk shut down. But hey, they make it work! They train out of Belfast, which is just an hour away for them. Some players have to travel even further, so they consider themselves lucky.
But here’s the thing, my friends. They don’t get any funding for their ice hockey adventures. Yep, you heard that right. Everything is self-financed. They have to cover the costs of travel and accommodation themselves. That’s why Sonya, Lorna, and Zsofia set up GoFundMe pages to raise funds. And let me tell you, the support they’ve received so far has been incredible. People really believe in them!
Now, let’s talk about the big event. Since Ireland doesn’t have an ice rink for them to play on, the Irish team can’t compete in the World Championship anymore. But that doesn’t stop them from showing off their skills on the international stage. They’ll be taking part in the Development Cup, where they’ll face off against teams from Poland, Iran, Argentina, and Colombia. The competition will be held in the beautiful Polish city of Krynica-Zdroj from November 6 to 12. I can already feel the excitement!
Last year, the Irish team travelled all the way to Kuwait and finished fifth. This time, they’re determined to make an even bigger splash. They’re ready to give it their all and make their country proud. And hey, who knows? Maybe they’ll bring home a shiny trophy!
So, let’s cheer on these incredible athletes as they embark on their ice hockey adventure in Poland. They’re not just representing Louth or Ireland, they’re representing the love and passion for the sport. Go team go!