Fantastic Botanic celebration!

BOTANIC Hockey Club celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Astro pitch with the help of Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe earlier this month.

Despite a day of heavy rain, all matches went ahead on the beautiful all weather pitch, which would not have been possible on the old grit pitch that predated it.

The pitch was funded by grants from the National Lottery and Leinster Hockey Association as well as a bank loan and intensive fundraising.

Botanic was formed in 1973 by former pupils of St Mary’s, Glasnevin, who were later joined by alumni from Maryfield College in Drumcondra.

The club has four teams playing in the Leinster league as well as a development squad, a para hockey team and a thriving junior section.

Located in the grounds of St Mary’s, the Holy Faith Sisters kindly gave the club a lease on the pitch at a time when many orders were selling off their land. 

The club is run on the hard work and dedication of volunteers like pitch caretaker John and receives support from local businesses such as the Tolka House and Ebano.