Róisín Upton
Hockey
BIOGRAPHY
Róisín Upton represented Ireland in the women’s hockey tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where Ireland finished 10th, playing in all five matches.
She became the first Irish hockey player, male or female, to score at an Olympic Games when she converted a penalty corner in the 9th minute of Ireland’s opening match against South Africa on 24 July 2021, helping Ireland to a 2-0 win – the first victory by an Irish women’s hockey team at the Games. Upton is from Raheen in Limerick and attended Crescent College Comprehensive, where she started hockey and won two Munster Schools Junior Cup and two Senior Cup titles.
She was also a skilled Gaelic footballer and soccer player in her youth. She attended the University of Connecticut on a sports scholarship from 2012 to 2016, winning two NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championships in 2013 and 2014, captaining the team in her final year. She earned a BA in Psychology from UConn and a Masters in Primary Education from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. She made her senior Ireland debut in November 2016 and was a prominent member of the 2018 World Cup silver medal-winning squad. She played a decisive role in qualifying Ireland for Tokyo, converting the sudden-death penalty in the shootout against Canada at Energia Park in Donnybrook in November 2019 – the kick that sent Irish hockey to the Olympic Games for the first time.
OTHER HOCKEY ATHLETES
HOCKEY NEWS
LA28 Qualification Dates in 2026
ROAD TO LA ALREADY UNDERWAY! 2026 marks the beginning of the qualification journey for many sports as they look ahead to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Qualifying for the Games, which take place from 14–30 July 2028, is challenging across all disciplines. Most sports require either direct qualification through specific events, qualification via [...]
Turning Pain into Progress: Ireland Hockey Captain Sarah Hawkshaw Reflects on Olympic Setback and World Cup Qualification Success
It is easy, sometimes, to presume that every high performance athlete who is heartbroken not to make a global tournament will be super motivated once their next goal is writ large on a white board. Yet even someone as experienced and driven as Tokyo Olympian Sarah Hawkshaw struggled when the Irish women’s hockey team didn't [...]
In the News – 9 March 2026
Hockey The Irish Men’s and women’s hockey teams qualify for the FIH World Cup, after competing in the Qualifiers tournament in Santiago, Chile. The Ireland Men’s Hockey Team closed out their FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers with a win over France to take top spot in the tournament. Having trailed by a goal, Ireland fought [...]
Sport Events Coming up in July
We are at the start of a jam packed July, check here for information on the upcoming events? DATES EVENT (SPORT) 27 June – 6 July EQUESTRIAN Team Ireland – World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen – Aachen, Germany LINK 28-29 June ATHLETICS Team Ireland – European Athletics Team Championships Division 2 – Maribor, Slovenia LINK [...]
In The News – June 16th
Men’s Hockey | Ireland Edge Belgium in FIH Pro League Thriller Ireland secured a stunning 3–2 victory over world-ranked #2 Belgium in Antwerp - their first win of the 2024/25 FIH Pro League season. Louis Rowe opened the scoring; Lee Cole struck twice with penalty corners. Jaime Carr delivered a Player of the Match performance, [...]
Olympic Champion Rhys McClenaghan Inspires Students on Return to His Old School
Olympic Champion and Dare to Believe ambassador Rhys McClenaghan revisits his school Olympic Champion on the pommel horse (gymnastics), Rhys McClenaghan, returned to his former school this week, bringing with him not only his Olympic gold medal but also an inspiring message of resilience and perseverance. As an ambassador for the Dare to Believe Olympic [...]