In the opening game on Wednesday, both Luxembourg and Ireland tested each other’s nerves and their respective netminders to the ultimate, however it was the Irish who scored first and went on to win 6-4. Dublin-born brothers Dean and Kevin Kelly really shone and were the heart of the Irish defence. Goalkeeper Kevin saved 33 out of 37 shots on goal whilst younger brother Dean was a stalwart defender throughout, killing penalties and skating his heart out. Ireland then went on to win against Greece on Thursday with a final score of 3-2 and the icing on the cake came today when the Irish team beat the United Arab Emirates 8-2 to bring Gold home for Ireland.

With a world class cross-border junior development league in full swing between Belfast and Dundalk and the IIHA Learn to Play program at full capacity, this gold medal will revitalise ambitions and dreams for young players coming through the Irish system.

National Federation
Irish Ice Hockey Association,
Sport HQ,
13 Joyce Way,
Parkwest Business Park,
Dublin 12

Tel:  +353-1-6251157
Fax: +353-1-6865213
Email: info@iiha.org
Web: www.iiha.org

Among the team of six players on the ice are one goalkeeper, two defenders, two wings and one centre. Fewer players can be on the ice as a result of penalties: a goalkeeper can be replaced by a skater during a delayed penalty, or at any other time of the game, at the team’s risk.

A regular game consists of three 20-minute periods, with a 15-minute intermission after the first and second periods. Teams change ends for each period. If a tie occurs in a medal-round game in which a winner must be determined, a five-minute sudden-victory overtime period is played. In the gold medal game, a 20-minute sudden-victory period is played subsequent to another 15-minute intermission. In the case of a tie after any sudden-victory period, a game-winning penalty shoot competition takes place to determine the winner.

Canada are the defending champions for both men and women. Surprisingly the United States have not won the men’s tournament since Lake Placid 1980.

Ireland played 4 matches beating Mongolia 11-0, South Africa 3-1, Luxembourg 4-3 and losing to 1st place New Zealand 4-2.

Ireland’s number 22 Mark Morrison was selected by the directorate as best forward and most valuable player of the tournament. Morrison, whose brother Davy captained the side with younger sibling Willy another key player, scored in all four games including a hat-trick in the 11-0 win over Mongolia in the opening game to take his tally for the tournament to six.

This success is a significant achievement from the Irish Hockey Federation led by its President Cliff Saunders and Honorary Secretary Mark Bowes and all those responsible for providing a World Class facility which will develop the sport of Ice Hockey locally and nationally in Ireland.