Irish players Katie Mullan, Róisín Upton, David Harte, Jaime Carr, and Tim Cross will take part in Hockey India League, which starts with the men’s event from December 28.
David Harte will be making his fifth Hockey India League appearance, having previously represented Mumbai Magicians in 2014, followed by a three-year stint at Dabang Mumbai from 2015 to 2017. This season Harte will represent Tamil Nadu Dragons, based in the Southernmost state of India, Tamil Nadu.
Róisín Upton, Katie Mullan, Jaime Carr, and Tim Cross will all compete in their first ever Hockey India League. The players have been drafted to play for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, based in the northeast region of Rahr.
First established in 2013, the Hockey India League is a closed franchise league organised by Hockey India. The league consists of eight men’s teams and four women’s teams which compete in a round robin format followed by a play-off phase to determine the overall winner.
The competition will be held in two stadiums, the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, and the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.
The Men’s HIL will commence on Saturday, with David Harte, Jaime Carr, and Tim Cross set to play their first games the following day.
Harte will line-up against Soorma Hockey Club, while Carr and Cross will face Hyderabad Toofans in their first match. The Women’s HIL will begin its first ever season on January 12, 2025, with Róisín Upton and Katie Mullan making their first appearance for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers on January 13 against Soorma Hockey Club.
