Madeley steps down from post

MEN'S HOCKEY:  Former Irish international Robin Madeley has resigned from his position as National Development Officer of the Irish Hockey Association. For personal reasons, the former Banbridge and Three Rock Rovers player is no longer able to commit to the role and will be leaving the association at the end of the month.

After joining the association in February 2006, Madeley played a pivotal role in developing the IHA's first National Development Plan (NDP) and helped to launch the association's Branch Support Programme - a mechanism through which the association is supporting local, branch-led development initiatives.

The IHA will now be seeking an immediate replacement for Madeley, as the association continues its drive to implement the National Development Plan.

"Robin has done a brilliant job during his year-long spell with the IHA," commented IHA chief executive Paul Varian.

"The association would like to thank him for the tremendous efforts he has put in to developing Irish hockey and wish him all the best for the future.

"We're very sad to lose Robin, but our attention must now turn to recruiting a new National Development Officer who can pick up and continue the work that has been started," said Varian.

The application deadline for the two new Regional Development Officers is being extended so that the association can recruit a new National Development Officer along with the other two development positions simultaneously. The IHA will be advertising all three positions in the next few days.

It is also Irish Junior Cup semi- final weekend with Cork Harlequins aiming for the senior and junior cup double. While the senior team is through to the quarter-final stages their junior team faces Banbridge at Farmer's Cross tomorrow.

Winners of last week's Irish indoor champions, Pembroke Wanderers play Cork C of I in the other tie at Serpentine Avenue.

FIXTURES: Saturday: Irish Junior Cup: Semi-final:Cork Harlequins v Banbridge, Farmer's Cross 2.00; Pembroke Wanderers v Cork C of I, Serpentine Avenue 3.00.