Coach Clarke steps down

HOCKEY: John Clarke's seven-year reign as Irish senior coach has ended after he resigned following the Irish Hockey Association's refusal to extend his contract beyond September of this year.

Clarke, who succeeded Cees Koppelaar, to whom he had been assistant coach, in 1997, requested the extension to allow him sufficient time to prepare for the European campaign in 2005 but, he says, the IHA's rejection of his request left him no option but to resign.

"From a long way out I had been concerned about the investment made in the senior men - I think the ladies have shown how well you can do with investment," he said.

"And that has been through, in my view, the opportunity to practise, including playing international matches. From that point of view I have been very keen that the men try to organise to the limits of their resources.

"At the moment I feel that to prepare for the B division in 2005 it's very important to have a coach in place in 2004 - the hockey association wasn't prepared to extend my contract beyond September 2004 so, that being the case, I think it's critical that a new coach is appointed immediately.

"I am frustrated the IHA didn't make the decision earlier, rather than placing me in the position of having to make the decision myself. But I'm inclined, now, to look outside, see the sunshine, see the future, see a squad with potential and an opportunity to reinvigorate the players - a change will create that.

"I have every confidence in the players but I would dearly like to see them produce team performances, rather than fine individual displays. If we get a new coach who can realise that potential then I'll be perfectly happy."