The Women Behind the Green Jersey

Age: 57

Province: Leinster

Club: Rathgar

Position: Midfield

Irish Masters Caps: 15

Favourite Masters Moment: The joy of winning the Home Nations Trophy this year by beating England, in a performance that was built on teamwork, skill and the passion to win. Finding out afterwards that Ireland was the first name ever on the cup other than England was the icing on the cake!

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: When I step onto the pitch as a Masters player, I feel 20 again and that's a wonderful feeling. When I step off, I'm reminded exactly how old I am! But what keeps me coming back is so much more than hockey. It's the friendships, the laughter and the shared understanding that comes from having weathered life while still finding time for the game we love. I feel incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to wear the green jersey again and am so grateful to those who paved the way, making it possible for all of us to keep competing, representing our country and proving that age should never be a barrier to doing something you love.

Province: Ulster

Club: Pegasus

Position: Defender

Irish Masters Caps: 50

Favourite Masters Moment: Captaining the O45s to pick up the Home Nations Trophy at Three Rock Rovers in 2017.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Feeling incredibly privileged and fortunate to still be playing alongside an inspirational group of women. It's about so much more than the hockey — it's the friendships, belly laughs, banter, special memories and the chance to keep playing a game we love.

Age: 55

Province: Munster

Club: Bandon HC

Position: Forward / Midfield

Irish Masters Caps: Unknown

Favourite Masters Moment: A funny photo with some teammates — you know who you are!

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: It allows me to continue playing competitive hockey, share experiences with like-minded people and have sooo much fun!

Age: 58

Province: Leinster

Club: Genesis

Position: Forward

Irish Masters Caps: 6

Favourite Masters Moment: Beating England at the recent 4 Nations in Stormont will always be a standout memory. Playing on home soil made it even more special, with my partner, Niall, and my twin sister, Caroline, along with her family, there to support us. Sharing that moment with the people who have always believed in me and with my teammates made the victory unforgettable.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Pulling on the green jersey is more than playing hockey — it's representing everything that has brought me to this point. As a 12-year-old picking up a stick for the first time, I could never have imagined that one day I'd be representing Ireland on the world stage. Masters hockey is proof that dreams don't have an age limit and that passion, commitment and belief can open doors long after you think they've closed.

Every player here has their own story of sacrifice, resilience and determination, and it is a privilege to stand alongside them. We compete fiercely and we never stop believing in what's possible. Wearing the Irish jersey is an honour I'll never take for granted.

Province: Leinster

Club: Bacchanalians HC, Isle of Man

Position: Forward

Irish Masters Caps: 6

Favourite Masters Moment: Receiving my first cap.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Reconnecting with Irish hockey after 30 years and joining the wonderful Masters set-up where dreams have no age limit has truly been a privilege. To be able to continue playing the sport I love on the international stage with a group of women who all embody the true spirit of Masters hockey is something I will always be grateful for.

Age: 55

Province: Leinster

Club: North Kildare

Position: Midfield / Forward

Irish Masters Caps: 70

Favourite Masters Moment: Putting in the cross for JR to score the winning goal against England in the Home Nations in Nottingham 2022 — though we still didn't win the trophy that year, that took another 4 years! So actually winning the competition this year is a very close second.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: It has and continues to be an amazing opportunity to play hockey at a high level with like-minded, fit and talented women. The camaraderie of any sport is great, but playing with people in your own peer group at similar life stages makes the social aspect really special and important. And it is still such an honour to wear the green jersey.

Age: 57

Province: Leinster

Club: Old Alex

Position: Forward

Irish Masters Caps: 20

Favourite Masters Moment: Scoring one of the winning goals against England where we beat them 3-2 to win the Four Nations tournament held in Belfast this June.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Ten years ago, when I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's, I was afraid that the game I loved might be taken away from me. Hockey had been part of my life since I was nine years old, and the thought of no longer being able to play was heartbreaking. But with the encouragement of my friends, I found the courage to step back onto the pitch. What I discovered there was something powerful: off the pitch, I may feel Parkinson's, but on the pitch, I feel freedom. I feel adrenaline, purpose, friendship, and the joy of being part of a team. Masters hockey has given me more than the chance to keep playing; it has given me the honour of competing, of wearing the green jersey again, and of proving to myself that passion, courage, and community can carry us further than we ever imagined. I am deeply grateful to everyone who keeps Masters hockey alive, because it gives players like me the chance to keep playing the game we love for as long as we can.

Age: 57

Province: Ulster

Club: Omagh Ladies HC

Position: Forward

Irish Masters Caps: Started playing in 2014

Favourite Masters Moments:

1. Winning the 4 Nations for the first time in Dublin as Over 45s in 2017.

2. Scoring the winning goal with 1 second left on the clock to secure a win against Australia in the first game at the World Cup in New Zealand in 2024.

3. Winning the Silver Medal at the World Cup in New Zealand in 2024.

4. Winning the 4 Nations this year on home soil.

Age: 57

Province: Ulster

Club: Holywood Ladies Hockey Club

Position: Midfielder

Irish Masters Caps: 38

Favourite Masters Moment: Beating England Over 50s in Nottingham in 2022.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: It's a massive part of my life and a huge motivator to keep fit and active.

Age: 57

Province: Ulster

Club: Lisnagarvey Hockey Club

Position: Defence

Irish Masters Caps: 3

Favourite Masters Moment: The 3-2 victory against England to win the O55s Home Nations in Belfast this year. We stuck to the plan and believed!

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: The privilege to play a sport I love with the most amazing and inspirational women.

Province: Ulster

Club: Belfast Harlequins

Position: Midfield/forward

Irish Masters Caps: 30

Favourite Masters Moment: Defeating England 3-2 in 2022 Four Nations tournament in Nottingham. It was one of the most intense matches I've ever played in and was a battle right to the final whistle.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Representing Ireland in Masters Hockey is an incredible honour and a privilege I never take for granted. Wearing the green jersey means more than playing the sport I love. It gives me the opportunity to compete alongside talented teammates and build lasting friendships with inspirational individuals who enjoy the fun, laughter and camaraderie that Masters hockey brings. It keeps us all young.

Age: 56

Province: Ulster

Club: Banbridge Hockey Club

Position: Defence

Irish Masters Caps: 2

Favourite Masters Moment: Being handed my first cap.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: To be playing with strong, intelligent, like-minded hockey players of similar years, who are still eager to learn and improve, means so much to me. I feel this enables us to encourage all players, of whatever age, to keep playing for as long as they are able.

Province: Leinster

Club: Genesis

Position: Defence

Irish Masters Caps: 60-70

Favourite Masters Moment: Winning 3 European medals and the last night celebrating with the team!

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Just great to be still playing such competitive hockey with great people!

Age: 57

Province: Leinster

Club: Three Rock Rovers

Position: Defender

Irish Masters Caps: 2

Favourite Masters Moment: Playing in the final against the Netherlands at my first ever Masters World Cup tournament in 2014.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: Being able to still play hockey is something I'll never take for granted. The legs might not be as quick as they once were but the passion for hockey is stronger than ever. Masters hockey lets us stay competitive, catch up with old friends, make new ones and continue doing what we love.

Age: 56

Province: Ulster

Club: Belfast Harlequins

Position: Left-back / Defence

Irish Masters Caps: 70

Favourite Masters Moments: Winning Gold in the 2026 Four Nations via the thrilling 3-2 defeat of England; the entire 2024 World Masters in New Zealand, culminating in Silver medal success.

What Masters hockey means to me: The perfect combination of sporting challenge, hockey rivalry, international friendships and pride in wearing the Irish shirt.

Age: 58

Province: Ulster

Position: Goalkeeper

Irish Masters Caps: 1

Favourite Masters Moment: Getting the email to say I'd been selected to play with these amazing women. I might have shed a tear! It was always my ambition to play for Ireland — I only had to wait 40 years.

What Masters Hockey Means to Me: As the newbie I've been welcomed into the team by everyone. There is great team spirit, always an encouraging word and lots of laughs. Masters has given me the opportunity to meet some lovely new people and rekindle old friendships.

Age: 64 (aka Old!)

Province: Munster

Club: Larne / Railway / Unattached

Position: Goalkeeper

Irish Masters Caps: 61

Favourite Masters Moments:

1. Playing outfield vs Wales — got a superb ball from Snoddy from a hit out, deflected it beautifully to Julie Wilson running to the top of the D, and she got such a shock at the pass she did what I can only describe as a highland fling.

2. Watching Shanky get to the top of the opposition D, shoot on goal... and put it wide. There was NO goalkeeper on the pitch!