Ireland
Polocrosse in Ireland
Ireland has on average nine official tournaments during the polocrosse season as well as a few more fun tournaments. In the past few years Irish players have been travelling to the UK to play some more during the season and for a taste of the competition!
History of polocrosse in Ireland
Polocrosse is still a relatively young sport in Ireland. It first began in 1990 with brothers David and Ivor Young. David had read an article about polocrosse in an equestrian magazine and together they decided to introduce it as a tourist attraction at their equestrian business in Horetown, County Wexford.
Interested to learn more about this exciting game, the two brothers had an Australian coach, Bernie Uechtritz, come to Horetown House some five weeks later. The word and the game spread quickly with Brian McMahon being next on board starting up Limerick Polocrosse Club, and the rest of the country quickly followed suit with now over eleven clubs across the country.
From left: Lorraine Scott (Team Manager), Joanne Lavery, Ruth Shannahan, Debbie Harris, Dara Mangan, Seb Chambers, Conor Doyle, Luke Brandon, Stephen Nuzum, James Smyth (Coach), Paul Scott (Irish Polocrosse Association Chairman)
Ireland at the World Cup
Ireland is proud to have taken part in every World Cup so far.
2003 - 6th place
Coach - Paul Brennan (Australia)
Avis Wotton, Derbhla O'Leary, Shirley Hayde, Nichola Foley, Shirley Hayde
Aidan McDonnagh, Paul O'Leary, Tony O'Donnell, Seamus McDonnagh
2007 - 6th place
Coach - Tony O'Donnell (Ireland)
Avis Wotton, Julie O'Sullivan Gallagher, Tara Power,
Aidan McDonnagh, Seamus McDonnagh, Seb Chambers, James Smyth
2011 - 7th place
Coach - Tony O'Donnell (Ireland)
Avis Wotton, Dara Mangan, Joanne Lavery, Rona O'Dwyer
Aidan McDonnagh, BJ Byrne, Eoin O'Donnell, Seb Chambers
2015 - 8th place
Coach - David Young (Ireland)
Amy Buckley, Dara Mangan, Emily McDonnagh, Joanne Lavery
Aidan McDonnagh, Conor Doyle, Mark Hall, Shane Harris
The 2019 Ireland World Cup team
Country Ireland
Club Silverspurs
Occupation Equine Yard Owner
Number of years played 17 Years
Past representation Ire V Aus 2014, Ire V UK 2017, Ire V Uk 2018, Ire V SA 2018
Country Ireland
Club Equus
Occupation Retail Manager
Number of years played 18 Years
Past representation 2011 World Cup, 2015 World Cup, South Africa V Ireland 2018, Ireland V United Kingdom 2018, Numerous Open, U21, U19, U16 Tests.
Country Ireland
Club Equus
Occupation Dog Walking & Boarding Business
Number of years played 25+ Years
Past representation Have previously represented UK at U21 & open level, Including 2003, 2007, 2011 & 2015 World Cups. Have represented Ireland in Ireland V. UK 2018, and South Africa V Ireland 2018.
Country Ireland
Club Silverspurs
Occupation Bloodstock/Buying & Selling of Racehorses.
Number of years played 12 Years
Past representation Juniors from 2008, u21 from 2010-2014, Seniors from 2019 - Present including two World Cups in 2011 & 2015.
Country Ireland
Club Silverspurs
Occupation Student
Number of years played 6 Years
Past representation 2013 U16 Ireland V UK, 2013 U16 Ireland V AUS, 2014 U16 Ireland V UK, 2015 U21 Ireland V USA, 2016 U16 Tri Nations, 2017 Irl V UK, 2018 U21 IRL V SA, 2018 IRL V UK, 2018 SA V IRL,
Country Ireland
Club Silverspurs
Occupation Personal Trainer
Number of years played 20 Years
Past representation South Africa v Ireland 2018, Ireland v UK 2018, UK v Ireland 2017, World Cup 2011, World Cup 2007, South Africa v Ireland 2006
Country Ireland
Club Horetown
Occupation Mechanic
Number of years played 17 Years
Past representation South Africa v Ireland 2018, World Cup 2015, And numerous other U21 and U16 Test Matches
Country Ireland
Club Wicklow Bay
Occupation Farmer
Number of years played 8 Years
Past representation South Africa v Ireland 2018, Ireland v Uk 2018, UK V Ireland 2017
Position Coach
Country Ireland
Club Silverspurs
Occupation Professional Services
Number of years played 20 Years
Past representation South Africa v Ireland 2018 (Coach), South Africa v Ireland 2018 (Coach), Ireland v UK 2018 (Coach), UK v Ireland 2017 (Coach), Tri Nations 2016 (Coach), World Cup 2007
Position Manager
Country Ireland
Club Kilkenny
Occupation Equine Yard Owner
Number of years played 20 Years
Past representation South Africa v Ireland 2018 (Manager), European Challenge 2017 (Coach), European Challenge 2008 (Coach), World Cup 2007 (Manager), South Africa v Ireland 2006, Tri-Nations 2005