Muller Steps Down from Irish Hockey

Ireland s National Women s Hockey coach, Gene Muller, announced on Tuesday his decision to retire from Irish Hockey. 

South African born Muller took over the reins from Riet Kuper in October 2006 to become Ireland s first full time Women s coach taking the team through a period of dramatic change during his time. Among his many achievements Muller moved the team to a Central Preparation Program to engage in a more professional set up and secured Ireland women their first ever Olympic Qualifier final.

Commenting on his decision Muller stated " I have known for some time that this Olympic cycle would be my last for Ireland. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching the women s national team. It has been a positive and rewarding experience. I want to thank the staff of the IHA for their support during my tenure, specifically Angus Kirkland, Fiona Mills, Dave Passmore and Katie Roche.

I want to acknowledge the contribution and support of the Irish Sports Council, the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, the Irish Institute of Sport and the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland. I want to thank our team s sponsor Electric Ireland, for their backing of the women s national team."

Muller who moved from Canada to take up the position will now take some time out before making any decision about his future and will remain working with the Assocation until the end of May I was fortunate to work with a highly professional national program support staff. I sincerely want to thank Karen Ryan, Mark Kilgallon, Daragh Sheridan, Rudi Wortmann, Guy Garrett, Lucas Piccioli, Nigel Henderson, Kate Kirby and Bronwen Masters for their contribution to our programme. 

A special word of thanks to our team manager Sally Ann Fanagan, assistant coach, Denis Pritchard and the program coordinator Joan Morgan. I value their contribution, friendship, and support immensely. I was lucky to work with them. 

My last acknowledgment is to the players of the Irish national hockey squad. Thank you for your commitment, passion, and efforts over the last few years. You always treated me graciously and respectfully. I wish you only the best in the future and will follow you with the enthusiasm of a typical Irish fan. "

High Performance Director Dave Passmore was keen to pay tribute to the coach "Gene has brought a high level of organisation to the women's program which has positively impacted the development of both athletes and staff. His commitment to the women's program has been exceptional and this hard work is evident in the progress the team has made especially in the past 18 months. I would like to wish Gene and his family well for the future"

The national women s team will, after a break from International duty, continue to train for their summer fixtures including both the Investec Cup in London from 6th 10th June and the Celtic Cup taking place in Lisnagarvey 29th June 1st July.

Chief Executive Angus Kirkland spoke highly of the contribution Gene Muller had made to both the National side and the Irish Hockey Association through his work The Irish Hockey Association sadly accepts Coach Gene Muller s resignation. Gene has been totally committed both the Irish women s squad and the Irish Hockey Association for the past six years. In reaching the final of the Olympic Qualifier he has taken this team further than any other coach before him. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.  

Irish Captain Alex Speers paid tribute on behalf of the National Women s Squad On behalf of all the girls in the squad I would like to thank Gene for all his work over the last five and a half years and in particular the last 18 months of CPP. His vision, drive and belief in this group of players brought about CPP and his hard work, commitment and dedication brought us to the final last Sunday. As captain it has been a pleasure to work with Gene and we wish him, Elise and Neev all the best in the future.

Muller Makes No Excuses for Ireland

Ireland took on the host Belgium in the final of the Olympic Qualfiers in a sunny Beerschot on Sunday but their Olympic dreams came undone after a super run in this tournament, when Belgium secured a 4-1 victory over the Irish. 

Ireland started the match pressing high looking to attack from the get go but it was Belgium who secured the first penalty corner in the 4th minute but the attempt was well cleared by Ireland's defence. Ireland immediately countered but the turnover resulted in Boon for Belgium winning a free which went flying across the circle just missing a touch from De Vos letting Ireland off the hook.

Ireland immediately went goal hunting with Emma Smyth making a great run down the right crossing but a diving Emma Clarke just couldn't get to it. 13 minutes in Belgium broke the deadlock when a high ball in gave Gierts a chance to smash the ball in from the top of the circle to make it 1-0. Ireland continued to attack but to no avail and became a bit unstuck when Belgium were awarded a controversial penalty stroke which Gierts put away high into the net to make it 2-0 to the hosts. Just two minutes later Ireland conceded their third when a well worked penalty corner was switched back to the injector for Gierts to score her hattrick and make it 3-0. 

Ireland continued with chances a plenty in the first half in the shape of six penalty corners but with the Belgian number one defender running down the barrel Ireland found it difficult to get the shots away and it remained Ireland 0-3 Belgium at half time. 

Early on in the second half Audrey O'Flynn was forced to put in a great and brave tackle to ward of a Belgian shot and Ireland again looked to attack as the hosts seemed happy to defend the lead. Ireland then secured another penalty corner this time making no mistake as O'Flynn dragged home for Ireland to make it 1-3. But Belgium immediately countered and reinstated their 3 goal lead within 30 seconds thanks to Coppey who volleyed it into the back of the Irish net.

Ireland continued to look for goals fighting through to the end but a stronger looking Belgian side on the day defended well and secured the 11th spot in the London 2012 Olympics.

Commenting after the game a disappointed Coach Gene Muller said "Belgium were the better team on the day today, we couldn't get a foothold on the game. They scored three goals in quick succession and we couldn't sink our nails into the match. I think we played with a level of consistency throughout the week and that got us into the final but Belgium were better over the course of the week. I am disappointed in the result but it was a fair result." 

Starting XI 

Emma Gray, Nikki Symmons, Sinead McCarthy, Cliodhna Sargent, Emma Smyth, Lizzie Colvin, Emma Clarke, Lisa Jacob, Alex Speers, Aine Connery, Audrey O'Flynn

Reserves:

Michelle Harvey, Shirley McCay, Nikki Daly, Nikki Evans, Miriam Crowley

Ireland 1 (0) Audrey O'Flynn pc 56m

Belgium 4 (3) Gierts 13m op; 17m ps; 19m pc; Coppey 57m op

 

Ireland Ladies Hockey London Bound

Ireland's Ladies hockey team booked their place in the Olympic Quailfier taking place this Sunday in Belgium - the winner of which will be heading to the London 2012 Olympics. Ireland still have one more pool game to play this Friday against Belgium whom they most likely also meet in Sunday's big final.

Ireland got off to an early start with a right wing cross flashing across the Spanish goal but no Irish stick was there for the deflection. Just five minutes later Aine Connery secured Ireland a penalty corner which Audrey O'Flynn powered home for a 1-0 lead. Just 30 seconds later Spain equalised when Malda reverse sticked a rebound to make it 1-1.

Ireland were forced into soaking up a few minutes of pressure but they did so well including a disallowed goal from a Spanish set piece. Ireland settled well after and had a number of goal scoring opportunities including their third penalty corner which O'Flynn dragged home to put her side in the lead once again 2-1 at half time. 

Ireland came under pressure once again 40 minutes in when Malda was on hand to take a shot but her efforts went wide and Ireland were let off the hook. Both sides were at times reduced in numbers as the umpires produced the cards. But despite Ireland being on the back foot at times they soaked up the Spanish pressure well with some big tackles to clear the lines.

Captain Alex Speers put away Ireland's third goal after Symmons and Evans set her to increase Ireland's lead by two which proved to be vital in the end as Spain rallied with just 3 minutes on the clock to claw it back to 3-2 thanks to their number 8 forcing Ireland to play out a tense final two minutes. Ireland held well and kept their composure and more importantly their 3-2 lead in tact. 

Commenting after the match Gene Muller was clearly pleased with the results 

"It was a fantastic win for us in a very high pressure match. The players put in a great performance and we got what we deserved. "

Ireland are now in the final but before that Ireland will play Belgium on Friday in the final pool game at 6pm Irish time and the final on Sunday at 3.30 Irish time.

Starting XI: Emma Gray; Nikki Symmons; Sinead McCarthy; Cliodhna Sargent; Audrey O'Flynn; Emma Smyth; Emma Clarke; Lizzie Colvin; Lisa Jacob; Alex Speers; Aine Connery

Reserves: Michelle Harvey; Shirley McCay; Nicci Evans; Nicci Daly; Miriam Crowley