'Destroying us': Raphoe Hockey Club frustrated as another team fails to travel

Raphoe Hockey Club has expressed frustration after its third team went another weekend without a game.

On Saturday, North Down fourths were due to visit the Royal and Prior School Grounds to face Raphoe's third side.

For the third time this year, however, North Down opted against making the journey to Donegal.

“Very frustrating as our thirds have travelled away to these opponents three times this calendar year already,” Raphoe Hockey Club said.

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“Our captains put in relentless work each week trying to field three teams to be let down again, the night before a game, by a team not coming to Raphoe for their one lengthy away trip of the season.

“We make these away trips every other week and will now have to ask these players again to travel away next week having had no home game this week.”

Raphoe Hockey Club is entering its golden jubilee year and say they have faced this issue regularly over the 50 years. Indeed, the club noted that it fielded six men's teams in recent years, putting the since reduced numbers down largely to frustrations such as this.

The club said: “It is destroying us as a club and leaving it impossible to keep our young players interested, another weekend explaining to parents why their sons don’t get home games.

“This is one reason why teams continue to fold each year in Ulster hockey.”