WOMEN'S HOCKEY NEWS ROUND-UP:EIMEAR CREGAN, the most capped Irish player of all time, has announced her retirement from international hockey after a senior career that stretched back to 2001 and saw her represent her country 171 times.
The 28-year-old from Limerick, who was appointed Irish captain in 2008, has struggled with arthritis in both knees and took the decision that she was no longer physically able for the demands of the international game.
“For the past six years I have managed to play through the pain barrier to overcome this degenerative condition but unfortunately I am no longer able to train at the appropriate level required for international competition,” she said. “It is with deep sadness that, in consultation with medical staff, I have had to consider the long-term implications of continuing to train and compete at this level and have been forced into retirement.”
The news, while not unexpected, is a considerable blow to coach Gene Muller. “It was a privilege for me to work with her over the last few years,” he said. “She is a true legend of Irish sport. I loved watching her play hockey. She was exciting, powerful, and unpredictable. She always led through example, and took her role of captain very seriously. My hope is that her legacy of motivation and passion will continue to live on in the team. I wish her only the best for the future.”
Dave Passmore, the Irish Hockey Association’s high performance director, also paid tribute to Cregan, stressing how hard she had struggled to prolong her career. “Few will really know how hard she has battled through the pain of her injuries over the past number of years, which is a testament to her attitude, diligence and commitment to her role as captain. Her many qualities will not only be a loss to the team but Irish hockey in general.”
Cregan, who plays her club hockey with Catholic Institute and is a teacher at Ursuline Convent, Thurles, was a gifted golfer, gymnast and camogie player (her uncle is former Limerick player and coach Eamonn Cregan), but began concentrating on hockey when she was called in to the Irish under-16 and, later, under-18 squads. She made her senior debut, under Riet Kuper, against Wales in 2001 when she was 19.
Cregan’s club Catholic Institute are away to Belfast Harlequins in pool A of the Irish Hockey League this weekend, with the key game in the pool the meeting of joint leaders Pegasus and Hermes in Belfast.
Loreto and UCC, both three points behind, will hope to boost their hopes of a place in the semi-finals by taking the points from their game in Dublin. Pool B is equally tight, with just two points separating the top four. Railway Union and Armagh (tied on six points) are away to Ballymoney and Cork Harlequins, respectively, while third-placed UCD are at home to Ards.
IRISH HOCKEY LEAGUE.Pool A, tomorrow: Belfast Harlequins v Catholic Institute, Deramore. Sunday: Loreto v UCC, Beaufort; Pegasus v Hermes, Queens. Pool B, Tomorrow: Cork Harlequins v Armagh, Farmer's Cross; Ballymoney v Railway Union, Joey Dunlop Centre; UCD v Ards, Belfield. Leinster League, Division One, Tomorrow: Corinthian v Bray, Whitechurch, 11am; Trinity v Old Alexandra, Santry, 11.30; Glenanne v Pembroke Wanderers, Glenanne Park, 1.15pm.
