Interviews
IHA outline three key visions in strategic plan
January 14, 2014 | 600 views | Leave a commentThe Irish Hockey Association last Friday laid out its blueprint for the sport – and stated its aim to grow participation levels by 20% over the next four years.
IHA chief executive says lack of Olympic progress led to Meredith departure
December 29, 2013 | 1,581 views | Comments (1)Mike Heskin told The Hook that the Irish senior men’s national team were not gelling with coach Andrew Meredith with development slow to materialise over the past 14 months with Rio 2016 very much in mind
Social Mediawatch – The Big Man
November 29, 2013 | 1,434 views | Leave a commentCounting down til Friday closing time? Here’s a few highlights from around the hockey world wide web to help you kill a few minutes!
Limerick’s Upton tops NCAA ranking
November 28, 2013 | 440 views | Leave a commentRoisin Upton became the second Irish player following Megan Frazer to win the NCAA championship title in the US as her UConn Huskies side beat Duke University 2-0 last Sunday
Boon not bust: the rise and rise of Belgian hockey
October 9, 2013 | 1,796 views | Comments (1)The Hook sat down with Belgium Hockey’s Technical Director earlier this summer to get an idea about how they have risen from being a second tier European nation to being contenders for world level medals within just a decade
Hermes structure will yield results: Claxton
October 9, 2013 | 1,185 views | Leave a commentAs part of Dublin City FM’s link-up with The Hook, Declan Hughes interviewed Jamiee Claxton, Jonathan Harte, Stephen Brownlow and Rory O’Donoghue
Funding key if Irish men to push for world’s top ten
August 26, 2013 | 170 views | Comments (11)In Andrew Meredith’s post-European championships assessment, he stressed the importance of getting the Irish men’s team funded to a level from which the side can properly push for a place in the world’s top ten.
Pritchard to lead Belgian club’s push for Victory
August 22, 2013 | 319 views | Leave a commentFormer Irish senior women’s assistant coach Denis Pritchard is looking forward to a new challenge this season after he was appointed as women’s head coach at Victory Hockey Club, based in Edegem in Belgium.
Smooth transition the key aim for Irish underage programme
August 2, 2013 | 465 views | Leave a commentThis weekend sees the culmination of two years building toward this classification weekend for coach Richie Malone, his coaching and management team; The Hook spoke to Malone, Mary Goode and Gerry Heaney about how they have prepared
Integrated approach key for Irish progress – Smith
July 7, 2013 | 368 views | Comments (4)Darren Smith is hopeful that a more integrated approach to the Irish hockey calendar can pay dividends for both the club and international game
Meredith: Irish “model has to change” in current economic climate
June 23, 2013 | 198 views | Comments (36)Andrew Meredith believes that an overhaul of the current Irish senior men’s training setup is needed with elite players being encouraged back to Ireland from their foreign bases if the side is to be able to thrive in the current economic environment.
Business of international hockey a welcome surprise for Railway’s Dillon
June 21, 2013 | 549 views | Comments (1)Kate Dillon is finding life a whole lot busier since finally being called up to the central panel of the Irish senior women’s hockey team.
Symmons ready for landmark 200th cap as Canada come to visit Belfield
June 20, 2013 | 297 views | Comments (7)Nikki Symmons will become the first Irish woman in any team sport to amass 200 caps tomorrow when the national hockey team takes on Canada as preparations continue for August’s European championships.
Maguire ready for “highest calibre” tournament of career
June 12, 2013 | 139 views | Comments (2)Phelie Maguire admits that thoughts did persist that he might “not realistically get another chance” of playing in a top level tournament but he is now looking to shine having enjoyed a new lease of life in green since Andrew Meredith took the coaching reins.
Harte speaks up for Mental Health Awareness month
May 23, 2013 | 242 views | Leave a commentGetting young people talking is the message for young stars from Irish goalkeeper David Harte following the recent Mental Health Awareness month as they cope with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the sporting life.
Boyles honoured for at Ulster Hockey awards after over 25 years at the top
May 23, 2013 | 204 views | Comments (5)Former Irish Captain Arlene Boyles was last night recognised for her contribution to the game when she was presented with the prestigious Winifred Templeton Award.
Charlene’s Project going from strength to strength
May 8, 2013 | 231 views | Leave a commentLast summer, Charlene’s Project travelled from Ireland with half a ton of hockey sticks, balls and kit to Uganda. A year on, the incredible Barr family looks set to make the same journey with double that amount of gear.
Meredith to offer creative solutions as Irish men lock targets on world’s top ten
December 15, 2012 | 188 views | Comments (2)New Irish coach Andrew Meredith has revealed himself revealed himself to be a former art director and lover of graphic design — his method of switching off from “a hotel room that looks like NASA” when he’s away at hockey tournaments.
Revington rebuffs IHA overspend claims
December 13, 2012 | 109 views | Comments (3)Former Irish men’s senior coach Paul Revington has hit back at suggestions that he and his management team were the root cause of a €37,500 overspend that almost saw Ireland withdraw from the Champions Challenge I.
Heskin lays out challenges for Irish hockey in 2013
December 7, 2012 | 314 views | Comments (7)While Wednesday’s budget saw sport not suffer the forecast cuts of 5pc, Irish Hockey chief executive Mike Heskin did warn that hockey will have a serious fight for funding in 2013.