UCC sports team gliding to inline hockey success

Cian O’Mahony, coach, UL Coconutters Inline Hockey Club.

A sports team at University College Cork is going ‘slap shot’ in its bid to make a mark in the fastest growing sport in Ireland, Inline Hockey.

Also known as roller hockey, inline hockey is played indoors on roller blades, with teams of four players and one goalie skating fast and hard against one another in the hope of putting the puck in the back of their opponents’ net.

This sport demands an exacting combination of stamina and skill and accuracy, which makes for a fast-paced exciting experience for players and spectators alike.

The UCC Coconutters are one of two inline hockey teams in Cork, the other being Inline Hockey Cork. The Coconutters as the name suggests are a fun, energetic group of 20 active members who train two nights a week.

Under the watchful eye of two expert coaches the Coconutters are going from strength to strength. Cork city man Cian O’Mahony, recently returned home after being injured in professional hockey fixtures in Spain, is delighted to be back with his former club. 

“Inline Hockey is a sport which may not be as popular or well-known as others, but has great opportunities which I was lucky enough to be a part of. At the early stage of my hockey career as a college student I played with and captained the UCC Inline team. I’m delighted to be able to give back to the club, and pass on my experience and knowledge to those starting out in this sport,” Cian said.

Over the past number of years, the club has been a huge attraction for Erasmus and international students at UCC. With the sport more commonly played outside Ireland, it is a reminder of home and a great way to make friends at a new college. 

UCC is in the fortunate position of having a second coach who brings talent and knowledge from his home country Canada, whose citizens grow up living and breathing inline and ice hockey.

Thomas Burgess, UCC Med Student, gladly makes time in his busy schedule to put the team through its paces, drawing on his years of training and game experience. “I’ve been playing hockey for as long as I can remember, and was excited to find out about the UCC team on my arrival to Ireland. This team has a fantastic spirit, and were so welcoming,” he said.