The 2026 Irish Hospitals Cup

The 2026 Irish Hospitals Cup tournament for the Independent Trophy was played in Bushy Park, Terenure, Dublin, over the course of Saturday 6 June.

In overcast conditions, a combined team, representing University Hospital Waterford and the Cork Hospitals (‘the South’), proved the strongest of eight competitive squads brought together from across Ireland. In a change of format this year, the top two teams from each of two groups of four qualified for semi-finals.

The group phase

A brilliant last-minute save from goalkeeper Hugo Pereira secured a 1-0 victory for the South in a tightly contested first match against reigning champions St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin.

The win set the tone for the day for the Southerners, who won their remaining group games without conceding a goal. In the same group, University Hospital Limerick enjoyed a comprehensive victory over a Federated Dublin Hospitals team led by Colm Kirby and Conor Medlar, thanks to goals from Paudie Walsh (2) and team captain Kieran Murray.

Sam Rayner then provided the goal which earned the Shannonsiders a draw against St Vincent’s.

However, a heavy defeat against the South cost Limerick a place in the semi-finals. St Vincent’s claimed second place in the group ahead of Limerick based on a superior goal difference.

Following a long absence, RCSI made a welcome return to the Hospitals Cup this year. Led by team captain Fionn Nally, RCSI signalled their intent in the group phase with three wins from three games.

The highlight of these wins was an impressive victory over ‘the North’ (comprising doctors from across Northern Ireland) thanks to two sensational strikes from Harry Gribben and James Kelly.

Following an early setback against RCSI, Fred Kenny’s Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, team grew into the tournament. A spectacular first-time volley from 30 yards by Eoghan O’Neill, followed by a second goal from James Davies, sealed a two-goal win for the Northsiders over the Dublin Dental Hospital.

An outstanding individual goal scored by Jamaal Askary was the highlight of the Mater’s win in a hard-fought physical contest with the North. With two wins from three games, the Mater joined the group winners, RCSI, in the semi-finals.

Semi-finals and final

In a game of few chances, RCSI and St Vincent’s played out a gritty 0-0 draw in the first semi-final.

A resolute RCSI defensive display, marshalled by Cormac Hegarty, was matched by that of an equally resolute St Vincent’s backline led by the ageless Andy Delany, and aided by Barra Neary and goalkeeper Aenghus McDonnell. RCSI ultimately emerged victorious in a tense penalty shootout.

In the second semi-final, the South proved too strong for a tiring Mater team. Goals from Taqi Alzubaidi, Wymin Sivakumar, and Michael Nugent sealed a 3-1 win for the Southerners.

In the final, two accomplished finishes from Sivakumar were the highlights of a deserved victory for the South over RCSI. RCSI, playing in their first final in many years, fought back late in the game and managed to pull one goal back. However, Hugo Pereira’s excellence in goals preserved the South’s lead.

After the final, Pereira was presented with the Freddie Strahan Award, recognising the player of the tournament as voted by the eight team captains. RCSI came close on their return; however, at the end of an enjoyable day, the South – winning all five of their matches in normal time – were deserved winners of the Independent Trophy in its 120th year.

Acknowledgements

The Hospitals Cup is generously sponsored by Medicalaccountant.ie. The Freddie Strahan Award is sponsored by acadoodle.com. Sincere thanks to tournament organiser Dr Barra Neary. Photographer, Rodney Smythe, provided the excellent photographic record of the day.

Barra Neary, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, and Fade Adeniran, RCSI, compete for the ball during the 2026 Hospitals Cup semi-final

2026 Hospitals Cup Champions: The South. Pictured L-to-R (Back row): Eltahir Eltigani;
Caelan Mulligan; James Gorman; Rakan Joudi; Cian McKenna; Stewart Crowe; Alex Alabi; and
Dara Flanagan. (Front row): Kelvin Lynch; Adrian Yan; Mark Palmer; Wymin Sivakumar; Hugo Pereira (holding the Freddie Strahan Award); Taqi Alzubaidi; Michael Nugent (holding the Independent Trophy); and David Grufferty. (Absent: Roghan Colbert and Manager Peter Neary)

The North. (Back row): Conor Colleary; Finn Hughes; James Beggan; Casey Lee;
Niall Fitzpatrick; Damien Fogarty; Ronan Fegan; Stephen O’Neill; Anthony Abladey; Ashraf Abouharb; and Enda Kerr. (Front row): Danny Rigney; Lorcan McAuley; Thomas Devlin; Owen Diamond; Patrick McAleavey; Sean McDermott; Ryan Moffatt; and Alok Vinayakumar

Liam Manning, Federated Dublin Hospitals, shields the ball from Séadh Corcoran, St Vincent’s Hospital

University Hospital Limerick. (Back row): Francesco Lazzaro; Adam Knight; Bradley Manickum; Ishaya Gadzama; Eoin Kyne; Sam Rayner; Michael Costello; Kieran Murray; Harry Sheehy; and Paudie Walsh. (Front row): Adam Farrell; Stephen Donohoe; Darragh Rooney; Zubair Mughal; Alex Boylan; Mohammed Hamma; Jethen Maharaj; and Nabil Omair

Fionn Ó Ruáin, Dublin Dental Hospital, tackled by Dylan Vaughan, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin