Ice-cool Stephen to be skate success

A 13 year old Dunboyne ice hockey player, who recently scored three goals for Ireland against South Korea, is now on a six week scholarship in Montreal where he will train for his sport and go to school.

Stephen Hayes of Millfarm is a talented ice hockey player and hopes to play the sport professionally when he grows up.
He has had considerable success and has played for Ireland for several years, despite the fact that there isn’t a permanent ice rink in the Republic.
“He started the game when he was just seven and is a member of the Dublin-based Flying Ducks team,” his Dad, Ross explains.
Stephen was a member of the recent under 14 team that played in a pre Olympic ice hockey tournament in South Korea. They competed against USA, Canada, Russia and South Korea. He scored three goals and Ireland beat South Korea. Ireland was the only country taking part in this tournament that doesn’t have a permanent ice rink.
Stephen is now in training in Montreal.
“We were just back in the country 24 hours, when he had to leave for Montreal.
“He is staying with a host family there and will be training in the mornings and evenings and going to school during the day,” says Ross.
Stephen is a son of Ross and Suzanne and is a second year student at St Peter’s College, Dunboyne.
“I brought him to the old ice-rink in Castleknock for his seventh birthday.
“We got talking to Aisling Daly, the president of the Flying Ducks who suggested he come back and try out for the club. He loved it from the beginning,” says Ross.
“He gave up hurling and football for ice hockey although it is very hard because of a lack of facilities. He gets to train once a week and that is often on roller blades.
“He travels to Belfast but that can involve getting up at 4am, because training takes place outside of public hours.”
Stephen has been on the under 10, under 12 and under 14 Irish teams.
Ross explains that Stephen wants to go to college somewhere where there is an ice hockey team.
He wants to be a professional player and make a living playing a sport he loves.
“Maybe some day Ireland will get it’s own ice rink, which would allow Ireland take part in senior world championships,” he says.