Hockey: Black day as Jason exits
The heavy demands on Irish international hockey players, who are effectively amateurs competing against semi-professional or professional nations, has taken its toll on another player.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Experienced defender Jason Black earlier this week announced his retirement from the international scene, becoming the second to do so - Cookstown's Andy Barbour was the first - since Ireland's Olympic Qualifer in Auckland two months ago when they came so close to making the Beijing Olympics.
Head coach Dave Passmore has been anticipating a handful of retirements, but
is keeping his fingers crossed that the bulk of his squad will stay together
for the next cycle of tournaments.
Jason won 123 caps and many believe he is still the best left back in the
business in Ireland, and that he easily would have had several more years at
the top.
But the Cork Harlequins star now has a young family, and is the first to
admit that it's time he gave his wife a little help in their upbringing!
"It was my ambition to qualify for the Olympics and it was bitterly
disappointing to lose out on a place in the final due to goal difference,"
said Jason.
"But this alone shows how far Irish hockey aspirations have increased
over the last few years.
"We are no longer happy to make up the numbers in tournaments and are
now truly in a position to qualify for major sporting events like the
Olympics and World Cups.
"With this part of the Irish programme over and no more major
tournaments until the European Championships in over a year's time, it is
vital for Irish hockey to bleed some of the talented development squad
players.
"There is a very fine line in qualifying for major events and to do so
experience is essential, so the introduction of these players into the
senior squad to drive competition is essential.
"I acknowledge Dave Passmore's management during my time in the Irish
team.
"It cannot have been easy to pick squads and consider external needs of
players at the same time, but this was vital for me because if I was not
happy off the pitch I do not believe I would have been able to give my all
on the pitch."
Passmore is no doubt he will miss Black's presence in the squad.
"Having worked with Jason at club and international level, he
epitomises what professionalism and commitment in sport means," he says.
"His strength and speed are such an asset to have in any backline and
finding a replacement is going to be a hard task. I wish him well in the
future with his young family."
Meanwhile the Irish Hockey Association has a new chief executive.
Former professional squash player Angus Kirkland, who has been Squash
Ireland's chief operating officer, takes over from Paul Varian who stepped
down in September to take up a post in Vancouver.
Kirkland will primarily be responsible for the effective implementation of
the Association's 2008-2012 Strategic Plan.
