Cork Harlequins mark centenary with new pitch

This Saturday a Cork hockey club will open its new state-of-the-art astropitch with a very special day of games and fun.

Cork Harlequins’ new pitch will be officially opened after its complete redevelopment over the summer. The club celebrates its centenary this year.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy will officially open the new facility with the ribbon cutting taking place at 1.30pm after a food and drink reception.

Chairperson of Cork Harlequins Hockey and Cricket Club Cathy Minehane said: “With a large membership of over 700, our youths’ section of approximately 400 members, we are delighted to now have two top class pitches in full operation. We have also been very generously gifted two 68 seater stands, these will be in situ mid-October.

“Having chaired our great club for the last 2 and a half years, I look forward to welcoming everyone on Saturday with our famous Quins’ hospitality for which we are renowned. It will be a fantastic fun filled day for all,” she added.

The event will be marked by two clashes between great Harlequins teams of the past and the current women’s and men’s first team squads.

At 2pm the current women’s first XI will face the trailbazing Harlequins women’s team who won the European Cup Winners Cup back in 2001 in Austria. Then at 3pm, the current men’s first XI face the Harlequins team that won the club’s first men’s Irish Senior Cup in 2006.

Legendary Irish goalkeeper David Harte, who played in the Olympics in Paris last summer for the Irish team, was a member of that Harlequins squad along with his twin brother Conor.

Cork Harlequins are the only hockey club in the country to have won all 4 national trophies - Irish Senior Cup (mens & womens), as well as Irish Junior Cup (mens and womens).

The club has also produced numerous Irish underage and senior internationals. Current Irish international Roisín Upton is a former player while current men’s first team captain Julian Dale has played for Ireland on a number of occasions.

There will bouncy castles, ice cream vans and fun and games all day long and all are welcome to come and join the fun!