Ireland's Men's Coach, Paul Revington has announced that he will be driving the Irish Men's Hockey Team forward with the help of a five player leadership team, this is not an entirely new concept to the squad and was a strategy that was employed when ex International Patrick Brown adorned the captain's band.
The team which has been quietly training hard since Revington took over at the helm in January, will now take to the turf tonight for a double header against ÔÇÿLes Bleu' in what will be their first match on home soil under their new coach.
Revington's five player leadership team will help drive the Senior Men's Hockey Team over the coming years and it is clear with his selection that experience has been a key factor. Ronan Gormley has been announced as captain of the team with David Hobbs and Graham Shaw sharing the vice captaincy role. While, John Jermyn and Stephen Butler will look to provide support and leadership through their performances.
Speaking on the new approach Revington was keen to acknowledge some past leaders, ÔÇ£I am extremely proud to announce these key positions of leadership within the Irish Men's Hockey Team. Irish Hockey has a proud tradition of player leaders, and it is time for the next generation of players to continue the outstanding work done by Paddy Brown and his team, especially Mark Irwin and Jason Black, from previous years.ÔÇØ
Revington continued to expand on the current appointments ÔÇ£As the leader of the team, Ronan will bring a determined and experienced approach toward driving our Irish Team forward. He matches this approach with fundamental leadership values of integrity, honesty and on-field performance that builds great teams. Graham Shaw is entering the prime phase of his international career and therefore brings a degree of experience and playing quality to our process that is so critical. His hunger and effort to push the team forward and up will be an important factor in the months ahead. David Hobbs epitomizes the qualities crucial to wearing an Irish jersey. He is a selfless team member who has a deep respect for the Irish Hockey jersey and matches this with a resilient character that represents the strength of the Irish culture.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£In John Jermyn and Stephen Butler, our Irish Team has two outstanding international hockey players with a great deal of experience behind them. I am extremely fortunate to coach such terrific international players. Both John and Stephen are at a wonderful phase of their personal development where they can find a balance and purpose to their hockey and lives in general.ÔÇØ
However the Men's team will have to compete in the double header this week without the on field talents of Jermyn, Butler and Cockram, ÔÇ£The Irish Team will miss these influential players in the upcoming games versus France, however the short term loss will be a long term gain as John is released to conclude another level of his studies, and Stephen is allowed some time off to refresh and re energize before a busy schedule in the summer. Tim is still recovering from an injury and I look forward to his return in the coming weeks.'
Squad: Joe Brennan (Glenanne); Karl Burns (Cork C of I); Peter Caruth (Annadale); Mitch Darling (Three Rock Rovers); Ronan Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers); David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers); David Hobbs (Cork C of I); John Jackson (Loughborough); Gareth Lennox (Banbridge); Tim Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers); Phelie Maguire (Three Rock Rovers); Andy McConnell (Three Rock Rovers); Eugene Magee (Banbridge); Graham Shaw (Glenanne); Alan Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers); Keith Black (Cookstown); David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers); Geoff McCabe (Banbridge); Gareth Watkins (Monkstown).
The matches will be played on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March at Pembroke Wanderers, Serpentine Avenue.
Source: Irish Hockey Association
