The Irish Hockey Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of field hockey in Ireland. Governing the 32 counties of Ireland, the Association is responsible for the management and overall development of all areas of the sport. The Association was formed in 2000, as a result of the merger of the two pre-existing Unions which governed men's and women's hockey separately. Both pre-existing Unions' origins date back to the late 19th Century, when they were formed within a year of each other. The IHA has a total of eight affiliated Branches that govern the sport at regional and local level. Separate Branches administer men's and women's hockey, although plans are being put in place to merge the sport at Branch level also, as is the case at national level. Five women's hockey Branches exist – Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster and South East, with three men's hockey Branches existing in the form of Leinster, Munster and Ulster. The sport's approximate 168 clubs and 280 schools are affiliated to the IHA through its Branch network. The Irish Hockey Umpires Association, which manages the sport's umpire base, and the Irish Universities Hockey Association, which governs the sport in Ireland's university system, are also affiliated to the IHA.