Mossley Hockey Club

Mossley Hockey Club are located in the heart of Newtownabbey in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The club now entering its 81st year have access to their own water based synthetic surface and modern clubhouse and changing facility.

There are currently 6 men's teams competing in the provincial leagues with the 1ST XI COMPETING IN THE PREMIER DIVISION FOR THE 2010/2011 SEASON. There is also a well developed youth programme taking part at U11, U13 and U15 levels.

The Club continues to provide a service to the local community and, with plans for further development, looks forward to a successful future.

Recent achievements:

Newtownabbey Club of the Year 08/09.

Simon Todd - full international cap

John Jackson - full international cap

Neal Glassey - Ulster U18 Development

Phil Hamill - Ulster U18 Development

Ben McMillan - Ulster U18 Development and UK School Games Squad

Ian Webber - Ulster U18 Development

James Lorimer - Ulster U16 Development and Irish U16  

Joel Cathcart - Ulster U16 Development

Peter Jackson - Irish Senior Manager

Ricky Lee - Ulster U16 Head Coach and Irish U16 Assistant Coach

Chris O'Flaherty - Ulster U18 Manager

Alison McNeill - Ulster U18 Head Coach

Brief History

Mossley Hockey Club was formed in 1929 following a meeting of employees of Henry Campbells, Mossley. A few friendly matches were played including several against near neighbours East Antrim. The original ground was opened by Cliftonville, the top team at that time, and included quite a few players who had played for Ulster and Ireland. Gradually more experienced players joined the Club and it began competing in Junior Hockey. Regular league matches were played against Clubs such as Parkview, Crossgar and Duncraig from Cullybackey.

In 1952 the first International honour came to Mossley when Bryan Gilroy was chosen to play for Ireland.

The Burns family always played a leading role in Mossley, and when Harry Burns Jnr made his debut in the First XI in 1969 a new era had arrived. He became the mainstay of the Mossley defence and was the second member of the Club to gain full International honours, in 1978. He toured Australia in 1979 as a regular member of the team. In 1973 Mossley made a second appearance in the Kirk Cup Final, losing to Lisnagarvey after a replay. Two Anderson Cup Final appearances followed that success, and in 1982 the Club won the British Club Championship in the Isle of Man. This was followed in 1983 by a third Kirk Cup Final appearance, again against Lisnagarvey. On this occasion Mossley won 2-0, inspired by the brilliance of Paul Cooke. Shortly afterwards, to no one's surprise, Paul Cooke made his first appearance in the Irish Squad, along with two other Club members David Gordon and Richard Willis.

Another International honour worth noting is that of Harry McNeill, a successful manager of the Ireland team. Off the field Derek Watt was an able Ulster Branch President in 1985, as was Bertie Moore in 2006 and both brought honour to the Club by their service to the Branch.

The present site at The Glade was purchased in 1984, and in 1991 the Club installed a synthetic sand based surface. In 2004 the club installed a new sate of the art water based synthetic surface. Shortly after work began on a new two tier clubhouse and changing facility which opened in December 2007 giving Mossley Hockey Club one of the finest grounds in Ireland.