Convincing youngsters that a sport with a small media profile, that requires a specialist surface to play on, is for them provides a constant challenge for hockey’s powers-that-be.

To that end, the Irish Hockey Association recently appointed two new licensed development officers (LDOs), one in Munster and another in Leinster, with Cork Harlequins man Egner taking up the role here.

David Egner: Recently appointed as IHA's licenced development officer (LDO) for the Munster area.

He is helping Phil Oakley (the IHA’s western regional development officer) deliver IHA courses and programmes, given the geographical issues that prevent Oakley from being everywhere at once in his dual provincial brief of Munster and Connacht.

It’s a part-time position, but one that requires a fair whack of mileage, as Egner explains: “As it stands I am in Waterford on a Tuesday and Fermoy on a Friday delivering the Tricks 4 Sticks programme, with 9 sessions being delivered to 6 different schools.

“We’ve completed the first Transition Year program of the year in Bandon Grammar with more to come in Waterford, Limerick and Cork, and have also organised taster sessions in primary schools set up by Ashton and Harlequins in order to increase the boys’ numbers in their clubs.”

While admitting that the introduction of the LDO role is something of an experiment, Egner reckons it’s a case of the more the merrier in terms of exposing more children to hockey, with a range of courses, programmes, clinics and taster sessions planned.

“The role is chiefly to introduce kids to the sport and to keep those involved already with hockey,” he explains.

“The new taster sessions are designed for the boys mainly, in conjunction with the local clubs, with the hope that new players will be exposed to sport, like it and join their local club then.

“Tricks 4 Sticks this year has focused on areas that can take new girls. I’ve just completed a five-week programme and blitz in Clonmel, in which 112 girls and 57 new boys were introduced to the sport, and have started in Waterford and Fermoy also.

“The Transition Year and Youth Leader programmes are aimed at increasing the number and quality of volunteers in the sport, whether it be through coaching, team management or umpiring.”

Which brings us to the issue that, these days, is more ‘King Kong among the skyscrapers’ than ‘elephant in the room’ – how to keep boys’ and men’s hockey afloat in Munster.

The most recent public figures showed numbers have declined at senior, U10, U12 and U14 level in the past three seasons, with less than 700 male players in the province, roughly split half-and-half between senior and underage.

“(The decline in male numbers)  is a big reason why the taster sessions have been implemented and I feel that these can aid us in attracting new boys to the sport,” offers Egner.

“Every school that I have delivered to in the past few years, through the T4S sessions, has had really enthusiastic players, both boys and girls, and once the boys see that sport can be played fast and with both skill and flair their eyes light up.

“The main obstacle myself and Phil have is getting the clubs on board to work with us and come out to aid in the sessions. This way, the kids can see their local players and have a point of contact should they decide to join a club.

Egner gives a half-time team-talk to Cork C of I. He has coached extensively at all levels of the game. Picture: Ondine Roche

“Phil ran these sessions last March/April with Ashton and helped to increase their numbers by 15 boys. In October, these sessions were run with Catholic Institute and 13 boys joined the club. We have just finished running tasters with Limerick HC and Ashton, and as already mentioned we are running one with Quins in the coming weeks.”

Naturally, plans for development and progress aren’t limited to the playing side of things. Egner himself coaches at almost every level of the game, at either end of the school and club spectrum as well as with the Munster U18 girls – he is in his sixth year at the helm -  and Munster Junior women.

He also coached CIT men to a maiden intervarsity success in 2010, a year in which he also claimed the IHA’s U18 coach of the year award, and is keen to root out people to follow in his footsteps.

“The IHA has numerous different programs on offer for young coaches to get involved in the game. The TY and YL are directly focused at teenagers and young adults whilst the Introduction and Level 1 courses will give them that extra bit of quality coaching to drive them forwards.

“Also, the Munster branch coaching committee are actively looking now for coaches to help out in the Junior Age Groups [JAG]  whether it be as head coach, assistant coach, GK assistants or video technicians.

“All these positions will aid in the development of coaches, who may just be looking for a bit of guidance and/or exposure to quality coaches and players. This is how I started my coaching career off with the Munster U18 Girls and I can say it benifited me no end.”

For more information on the IHA’s LDOs, click here.

The 18-year-old spent his formative years with Cork Church of Ireland, but instead of helping them in their Peard Cup final assignment against Cork Harlequins on Monday, he’ll be backboning UCD’s efforts in the Neville Cup decider against Railway Union.

The Douglas man has been part of a student revolution at Belfield, which has seen the perennial strugglers reach the first senior final in the club’s history.

Nick Burns: Former C of I man is carving out a new career as a central midfielder with UCD. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“The colour choice was definitely a contributing factor in choosing UCD — once a blue, always a blue!” laughs Burns.

“I’d love to be in Cork rooting on the boys but my main focus now is UCD. Of course, you can’t forget where you came from, and I owe a lot to the coaching I got right the way up from age 4 to 18, I definitely wouldn’t be here otherwise.

“With UCD it goes in cycles as students come and go; this year there is a great bunch of lads with plenty of hockey ability. With the backing we are receiving from everyone at UCD it’s a great chance to really give something back. I feel we’ve displayed that we can match anyone on our day, so who knows how things will go on Stephen’s Day.”

Burns, a forward by trade, has had to adapt to a new central midfield role and increased responsibility with his new club, but announced his arrival in Leinster hockey with two goals in UCD’s shock 4-2 semi-final win over Glenanne.

“That was a real stepping stone for us, and gave us the self-belief we needed, (as it) maybe wasn’t there in previous seasons. Since then we’ve gone on to beat Pembroke Wanderers, league leaders at the time, in a 6-4 thriller.”

“I’ve found myself learning a new trade as a centre mid, it’s certainly a big change from playing up front and comes with a lot more responsibility, but I’ve adapted my game and I’m working hard to improve all the time, albeit without getting the tap-ins at the back post! I’m more than happy to take on the challenge.”

UCD’s preparation hasn’t been ideal, as the side have been focusing on exams before scattering around Ireland as they return home for Christmas. Burns says they’re hoping to learn from the mistakes of their early-season loss to Railway, who boast a fine short corner unit and are hoping to win a first senior trophy since their 1980 Mills Cup success.

“We were a little raw and just gelling (that day),” he offers. “They have a very good spine to their team and a great corner option, but we’ve done our homework and learned from previous mistakes, so we’ll just have to see how it goes on the day.

“It’s been tough trying to get everyone together during the exam period, and it’s all very physically draining. But we’re in great shape and there’s no doubt our fitness will stand to uson the day, once we don’t go too mad with the turkey and ham the day before!”

Meanwhile, Burns’ old cohorts at C of I have revenge on their minds as they face bitter rivals Quins for the second time in nine days in the Peard Cup decider at Garryduff (2.30pm, Monday).

A depleted C of I outfit were arguably their own worst enemies in the sides’ league clash last weekend, gifting two early goals that ultimately swung the outcome in Quins’ favour as well as spurning a number of short corner chances.

C of I's David Harvey says his side were happy with their performance - if not their chance-taking - in last week's defeat to Quins. Picture: Adrian Boehm

The ongoing absence of John Jermyn hasn’t helped in this regard, while Karl Burns, Phil Smith, Alec Moffett and Shane O’Donnell will all be absent.

Nonetheless, C of I defender David Harvey says his side were happy with their performance, but will need to take their chances this time around.

For Quins, Garryduff holds no fears these days given they’ve won twice there during 2011, and they have a range of players firing on all cylinders right now, particularly Phil McLaughlin and the Black brothers Mark and Jason.

They’ll nonetheless know they can’t rely on Chris Daunt and John Hobbs to firefight at the back, nor can they give Andy Herbert and David Hobbs the room to manoeuver C of I into dangerous positions.

St Stephen’s Day Cup finals

Peard Cup: Cork Church of Ireland v Cork Harlequins, 2.30pm, Garryduff; Neville Cup: Railway Union v UCD, 2.30pm, Serpentine Avenue.

The Cork Church of Ireland midfielder is now one of the elder statesmen of the Irish side, but is as important as ever as Paul Revington’s number one drag-flicker.

He netted five times at last month’s European championships – including a pair of penalty strokes in the vital 2-0 win over France – and his performances prompted Dutch coach Paul van Ass to label him, Eugene Magee and fellow Cork man David Harte as “world class” in the aftermath of Ireland’s 7-4 defeat to the world number three side.

Ireland's John Jermyn in action against the Netherlands, whose coach Paul Van Ass labelled the Cork C of I midfielder "world class". Picture: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Jermyn modestly bats aside such praise though – “It was very gratifying to get a compliment from a coach of a team of the quality of the Dutch” – and also says he isn’t too fussed about potentially eclipsing Stephen Butler’s all-time Irish goalscoring record.

Jermyn’s 71 strikes have him eight short of Butler’s tally, prompting the Belgium-based former Glenanne man to joke on Twitter that he should have put a sniper in the stand at the Euros in Germany. Butler says he “couldn’t think of a nicer guy or better player to break the record” but it’s not something that weighs too heavily on Jermyn’s mind.

“It would be a nice to tick off the list,” he told the Cork Independent, in an interview with Brian Hayes Curtin, often a rival of his on the pitch when C of I take on the latter’s Cork Harlequins side. “But my major goal in hockey is to qualify for the Olympics. If the record comes along the way, that would be great.”

Echoing the feelgood vibes surrounding this Irish men’s team, Jermyn is setting his sights high following three trophies and a highest-ever fifth-place finish at the Euros.

“Yes, it’s very exciting and we genuinely believed that we could win. I think there is a strong possibility that we could qualify for the Olympics in the Olympic qualifying tournament, which will be on in the spring,” he said.

“It was always going to be difficult against England and Holland, but we are on the up now and pretty confident. Qualifying for the Olympics would be huge for hockey in Ireland and hopefully it would increase its status as has happened with Irish cricket over the last few years. I’m disappointed that we didn’t qualify this time.”

Jermyn is now in his 10th season as an international hockey player, but – as alluded to by the Harte twins prior to the Europeans -  he says belief is the main difference between Ireland of the present and previous sides.

“We always been close to the level of the top teams but we proved it by winning (the INSEP Five Nations) this summer…the psychological difference has been massive for this team, we believe that we can match up against the best.

“(Ireland coach Paul Revington) has successfully created the conditions needed for success, despite an extremely limited budget. He is doing a great job.”

In 2010, Waterford went down automatically but Belvedere requested a shot at UL in a promotion/relegation playoff. The subseuqent 7-1 hammering suggested the students were the correct candidates to be Division Two-bound, but their university club status saw them kept up by the Munster branch.

Last season, having endured a miserable time amid some double-digit defeats, they pulled a result out of the bag when it mattered, holding Cork C of I to a 1-1 draw that ultimately saved their skin.

Action from UL vs C of I at Garryduff last year. The Limerick students later notched a vital result against the Cork side to retain top tier status. Picture: Ondine Roche

Stephanie Peters got the vital goal that day, and the 19-year-old Bandon native will skipper George Blackwell’s side this year, as the two-team club hopes to attract the players who can help consolidate their position at the top table of Munster hockey.

“The high turnover of players, with not enough players coming in to bridge the void (is why we’ve struggled),” says Peters.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to address recently. With the nature of college hockey, it’s just one of those cycles that we find ourselves in. But we made huge progress as a team and club in the latter half of last season. So although we’re not completely out of the woods yet, we’re confident that the upward trend can continue this year.”

Whereas college side and tradition ensure a regular conveyor belt of players onto UCC’s women’s teams, things are different for UL, who have a smaller base of players to pick from. Peters nonetheless knows no-one is going to do the club’s recruitment for them.

“I think our biggest problem at the moment is whether we can get enough dedicated and strong players training on a weekly basis and being available to play at weekends, because as proven last year we can battle it out when we have our best team out,” she says.

“With such a huge variety of clubs and societies to get involved with while in college, it’s up to us a club to get these players to keep up the sport once they come to college. College hockey is a great way to enhance the college experience, and an opportunity to make life-long friends, so it’s definitely something we’d really encourage.”

Stressing that UL is an open club – allowing those in Mary Immaculate College and LIT to line out for them – Peters adds that they are keen to make a good fist of the intervarsities in NUIG at Halloween having been absent from last year’s tournament in UCD, and is appealing tofirst years in particular to get in contact.

“All you need to join us is an interest in hockey!We have teams in Division 1 and Division 3 to suit different players. Any players that would like to play with us this season are more than welcome to join us in our pre-season training over the next couple of weeks. It’s also a great chance for players to get to know students already in UL and get their bearings before they start college.

“There’s a great group of girls involved in the club and morale is never low. We go through all the hard work together and enjoy celebrating our successes as a team!”

UL LHC can be contacted on ulladieshockeyclub(at)gmail.com, via Facebook or their website.

For a start, the 23-year-olds will both line out for Ireland’s senior hockey team at the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Germany, starting this weekend, with qualification for the 2012 Olympics the major carrot awaiting the top three finishers.

Hailing from Co Cork village Ballinspittle, a couple of miles from Kinsale, the duo will be forming a crucial part of Ireland’s rearguard act, with goalkeeper Dave bossing a defence that includes renowned pass-master Conor in front of him, hoping to continue what has been a whirlwind summer for the Irish side.

As children, the Hartes hurled for Courcey Rovers and were fond of the big ball too, and both cite Tyrone manager Mickey Harte – a cousin of their father Kieran’s – as a major inspiration, particularly his “as you think, so you shall be” pearl of wisdom.

“It is hard not to find inspiration from a relation who has achieved incredible results and success in his own sporting field,” explains Dave. “Having a background ourselves for many years in GAA, and especially with our father and his Tyrone background, Mickey Harte’s philosophy and views on sport have always taken account of personal development both on and off the pitch.”

The Harte twins photographed at UCD yesterday. The duo head to Germany with the Ireland team for the European championships this week. Picture: Paul Sharp/Sharppix

Things changed when the boys went to Bandon Grammar School in 2000. Elder sisters Emer – also a senior Ireland international – and Ciara had played hockey there, and their brothers followed suit.

Playing in one of just five schools in Munster that offers the sport to boys, the Harte twins fast became stars, helping BGS to a first All-Ireland Schools title in 2005 after two consecutive final losses.

Cork Harlequins were also helping nurture their considerable talents, and the boys won an Irish Senior Cup with the club during their Leaving Cert year in 2006 before their studies took them to Dublin.

There, they won a raft of titles at Leinster, national and European level with Pembroke Wanderers, before heading to Europe – as did the majority of their international team-mates – to play with SCHC in the high-pressure Dutch Hoofdklasse.

Ireland coach Paul Revington reassembled his far-flung troops in May, and three trophies have since been annexed.

The Celtic Cup was retained in Wales, and a first International Hockey Federation tournament crown followed with the Champions Challenge II victory in France. Eighteenth-ranked Ireland then ousted world number ones Australia to top the INSEP Five Nations in Paris, thrashing world top 12 sides Korea and Argentina along the way.

While they are still outsiders to make the semi-finals and give themselves a shot at Olympic qualification, Conor insists there should be no surprise at the team’s success thus far.

“The public may well be surprised, but I think if you ask any member of the squad they would say they aren’t,” he says. “The number of hours put into training all year, and especially this summer, has been phenomenal. We have shown how well we can perform not just in one tournament or over one weekend. We are constantly striving for consistency.

“Of course, aiming for the top four or three is what all the eight teams want, but I feel if that doesn’t work out, then our main aim is to remain in the European A division for 2013 Euros; something that Irish teams have failed to do in the past.”

Previous World Cup qualifiers and European championships have seen Ireland ape the country’s international stereotype in many other sporting disciplines; capable of producing a shock result, but unable to string enough of them together to be a factor at the business end of tournaments.

Goalkeeper David and defender Conor have played on the same side since they were children, and their rapport proves crucial on the pitch. Picture: Paul Sharp/Sharppix

Perpetuating the belief they can, as Dave puts it, “banish any myths of tournament hockey being our Achilles heel” is the performances of the Irish players who have tried their hand in Europe’s best leagues in the past 12 months.

“It bridges the gap between Ireland and the perceived “super class” countries like Holland and Germany,” explains Dave.

“Guys playing in England, Germany, Spain, Holland and Belgium can tell you first hand that Irish players are as good if not better than players from these other countries, and certainly have nothing to fear. Before this happened I felt that as a national team, we placed teams ahead of us on a pedestal.”

“The men’s team in essence went the opposite route to the women’s (who have been centralised in Dublin since October 2010) and this has only strengthened the team in my view, with increased playing speed and skill, but most importantly, belief.”

Of course, it’s easier to believe in yourself when you’re consistently rated as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. Harte’s current understudy, David Fitzgerald, recently mused that “if you’re going to be number two, you want to be number two to the best goalkeeper in the world. That’s where Dave is now”, but the man himself is having none of it.

“Never believe your own press!” he laughs. “It was quite a compliment to receive from a team-mate and fellow competitor, one which I truly value and appreciate, but it is something I do not ever dwell upon or think about. All I am focused upon is training as hard as I can to help me become the best I can.”

While Dave often takes the plaudits in his high-profile goalkeeping role, Conor made some headlines of his own this summer by notching five goals at the CCII, taking over the drag-flicking mantle with John Jermyn and Timmy Cockram rested.

“I really enjoyed the responsibility,” he enthuses. “When you get given an opportunity to flick without our fellow ‘Munster Massif’ team-mate JJ being at a tournament you have big shoes to fill, so I was happy to score a fwe goals. We spend a lot of time at training on penalty corners, so it’s nice to see some results from the hours put in.”

Conor has played most of his school, club, interprovincial and international hockey with Dave’s imposing presence behind him, but admits that familiarity and their rapport proves crucial on the pitch.

“So many times, we don’t need verbal communication – eye contact or a certain look is all it takes, when you don’t have a second to open your mouth on the pitch in the heat of the moment,” he explains.

“Like when I’m guiding a forward who is running flat out into the circle, and knowing the right moment to leave David slide and take him, or even jumping so I don’t feel the pain of being taken out by my own goalkeeper!”

At 23 years old, their best years are still ahead of them, but Munster hockey hopefully hasn’t seen the last of its most famous twin exports. The duo have made a point of representing Munster at interpros whenever possible; the three kings clearly lie close to their hearts.

“Wearing the Munster jersey has always been a great source of pride to us and will always remain so,” says Conor.

“We were very fortunate to begin our club hockey with Cork Harlequins and were exceptionally lucky to be part of such a wonderful team and club. If our careers bring us back to Cork, then playing for Quins would definitely be our first choice.”

Thanks to Paul Sharp of Sharppix for kindly providing his excellent feature shots of the Hartes to Southern Fried Hockey. For more about his photography, visit his official website here

The 18-year-old Laurel Hill Coláiste schoolgirl is currently in the midst of her Leaving Certificate, but it won’t be long before she takes on a whole different challenge on the American east coast.

Barry, who is also preparing to conquer Europe with the Ireland U18s having claimed a Four Nations title in Cork last summer and represented her country at the Youth Olympics in Singapore, says an Irish connection to the Richmond Spiders hockey team got the ball rolling earlier this year.

Rebecca Barry in action for Ireland U18 at last year

Bangor, Co Down native Ryan Elliott is the side’s assistant coach and made the initial contact via email. Barry eventually got through some red tape to sit the American SAT exams in Waterford last month – hardly an ideal distraction during her final state exam preparations – but achieved the requisite marks, and is excited about opening a new chapter in both her personal life and hockey career.

“It was a tough decision to make but to be honest, the minute I heard about this I was feeling positive about it,” she told Southern Fried Hockey. “I know it’s such a cliché but it truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“The thought of moving to the States in three months is a bit daunting, considering the furthest most of my friends are going is probably Dublin – I’ve never even been to the States! But at the same time, I’m very excited about it. It will certainly be quite a change from second level education here in Ireland, but I have no doubt on my mind but that it will be a massively positive life experience.”

Barry is now one of the first names on Ger O’Carroll’s Catholic Institute teamsheet, having been nurtured through the ranks at Limerick HC until she was 15. An exciting, tenacious attacking player with well-honed 3D skills and an eye for goal, she made major contributions to Institute’s superb Munster double-winning season last term.

However, she admits things are set to ratchet up a notch on the training and technical sides of things once she lands on American soil.

“As far as my development as a hockey player goes, I really believe that is determined on how hard I am willing to work while I am over there,” she says.

“I know that the team trains together three times a week and plays two matches a weekend. Each player also has to do strength and speed work twice a week, and a couple of weekly video sessions.

“Due to all this, I especially hope my technical and tactical knowledge of the game – and the physical aspect to my game – will greatly improve. I’ve been told I will essentially be a professional athlete for the first half of the year, and then a professional student!

“The professional level of the sport over there really is unparalleled. The Spiders have a full-time management team, physiotherapists and strength coaches. Richmond are currently one of the top 25 teams in the country and they play against teams that are full of junior internationals from around the world and America.”

While Barry is ploughing a particularly unusual furrow, she had a couple of contemporaries to call on for advice; former Ballymoney girl Megan Frazer (University of Maryland) and fellow Limerick girl Kate Collins Smyth (formerly University of New Hampshire, now with Old Alex) were both able to provide a few tips.

Barry also cites her family and friends – as well as Irish Hockey Association high performance director Dave Passmore, Laurel Hill Coláiste principal Aedín Ní Bhriain and her staff – as vital fonts of wisdom in making her decision, which she admits will curtail her senior Irish international ambitions in the short-term.

“I know by going to America I am taking myself out of the Irish hockey circle and by not playing in the Irish Hockey Leage, realistically, I could be out of the picture for a number of years,” she admits.

“It is most definitely a risk as far as playing for Ireland again in the near future is concerned, but I plan on working hard to achieve my goals. It goes without saying that the dream is to play for the seniors, but at the same time I believe (going to America) will help me in maybe achieving this one day. The goal is to become a stronger, more knowledgeable and all-round better player upon my return from America.

Richmond Spiders: One of the top 25 sides in the US

“To be honest, it was a major factor (in my decision). I weighed up the pros and cons and asked other people’s opinions on it; I spoke to Dave (Passmore) as he has been a major person in my development as a hockey player over the past two years. He was honest with me, as always, and pointed out the possible advantages and disadvantages.”

Before she heads off into the Atlantic sunset, Barry signs off with some more positive thinking regarding the opportunity she and other Irish players have been given to further themselves in the US.

“It’s great that players involved with Irish hockey are being offered opportunities like this. It gives them a chance to gain life experience while improving there playing ability at the same time.

“Their knowledge of different styles of hockey will be improved, so upon there return into Irish hockey circles they can add this knowledge that they gained to the always improving standard in the country.

“It is almost a professional sport as far as training is concerned over in America, this standard just cannot be matched in Ireland at the moment, unfortunately.”

Gene Muller: "“The tournament format does not reward consistency. The first three matches just determine pool ranking but there’s not a top two and a bottom two."

It is the first of a series of high profile tests for the country in the coming week, pitted also against Spain and Azerbaijan in the group stages before moving into the knock-out stages.

But it is the India tie – and their unique approach to the game – which is currently occupying his focus, promising an expansive game to counter the ‘five-five’ formation his opponents are likely to implement. Ireland fell last summer 6-0 to India but Muller says that is not a likely outcome this time around.

“I’m really looking forward to playing India. We had a disaster last time. It was bizarre, we had an even amount of circle penetrations and more corners than they did but they beat us considerably. It’s the one that is most in our mind. It’s fun playing them, it’s the way hockey should be played.

“Five designated attackers, the rest designated defenders. It’s exciting and fun to play, fast and extremely skilful. I just hope we’re not mesmerised by it. We still have to play well.

“You make a mistake if you don’t play some form of expansive hockey against them. If they play that expansive, they’ll be open to counters.

“The balance of structure and looseness is critical. If we’re too structured, we won’t generate quality chances and they will pick you off.”

It’s a bold statement of intent for what can be seen as coming out party, a debuting of what has been going on in the cocoon of the central participation programme over the winter months.

The trade-off for the increased training meant a marked reduction in international fixtures. How Muller’s side gels on the pitch remains to be seen but he is happy with how his side is entering the competition.

“We arrive at this tournament at a much better stage than ever before, physically, technically, tactically. I’m more comfortable with where we are at. Certainly, there is an expectation we will play well because we have trained hard enough to deserve to play well.

“Whether that’s enough, you don’t know. We’re close to the bottom of the rankings [of the eight teams involved]. Five of these teams went to the last World Cup, they’re good teams, generally well prepared. They are so close, you need to play well or you will get beaten.”

And he adds that it is a far cry from the difficulties endured in Ireland’s last world level competition – the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in Chile.

A tournament beset by issues, most notably the ash cloud which meant the team’s travel, four games and acclimatisation to a 20 degree temperature shift within seven days was a severe test.

Ireland captain Alex Speers with her counterparts Khatira Aliyeva of Azerbaijan, Lauren Crandall of the USA and India's Saba Anjum. Picture: Sportsfile

Muller says it was the “toughest tournament he ever coached in” but says the lessons learned have underpinned his strategy ever since, believing serious overhaul of the prior structures were a must.

“In Chile, I really felt I had pushed the team too hard in preparation. The team was tired arriving there, there wasn’t much flow when we were over there.

“Having said that, the turning point for this group of players came in the game against Chile over there. We won 3-0 and the players just willed themselves to turn things around, even being fatigued. To me, I will always remember that game. Something happened there that changed the mind of the players. Do we want this to continue or to change it?”

After hours in the UCD gym and training away from the public’s gaze, the Irish team now have the chance to express themselves.

Moreso, the format of the Champion’s Challenge means they are guaranteed a quarter-final place even if they were to lose all their group games. It is a structure which Muller does not see the logic in, placing undue influence on each side’s fourth game in the competition.

“The tournament format does not reward consistency. The first three matches just determine pool ranking but there’s not a top two and a bottom two.

“Everyone gets to play a live game four. You could have disastrous three games, win one game and be in the top four. You could also be fantastic going into game four and then have an off day and end up in the bottom four. It’s difficult with this tournament format to attach a result to it because consistency doesn’t necessarily lead to an outcome.”

He also questions why this is the format for this second tier event but the world’s elite are not using a similar format.

“There must be a reason why they’re not doing this at the Champion’s Trophy. The reason, I imagine, is that the top teams would not accept it.

“It’s probably to create more life [in the classification matches] but I’m not sure that is a strong enough argument. I can’t see it staying for important events in the future.

“We could benefit or be done in by it but at least we know that going in. I don’t really want to make waves around it because it is what it is.”

Cork girls Julia O'Halloran, Audrey O'Flynn and Cliodhna Sargent pose with the Champions Challenge trophy. Picture: Sportsfile

Nonetheless, the quality of opposition is a huge draw and Muller says that while the calibre of opposition may cause his side a few problems, their presence could not come at a better time.

“I am delighted we’re playing a home tournament, against quality opposition. It will be ideal preparation for us for the Europeans.

“These teams will exploit our weaknesses but with enough time to address them. Had the distance between the two tournaments been further apart, you lose lessons; too close there’s not enough time to fix things. It couldn’t be better for us.

“We’ll be exploited at this tournament. It’s the nature of the game, the opponents and coaches are good enough to test us on many different levels. In some ways, they will be doing us favours.”

** To hear the full interview with Gene Muller from the Champion’s Challenge I media day, click the ‘Listen’ button on the following link.

***Interviews and article kindly provided by Stephen Findlater and reproduced with permission from The Hook.

The 24 players involved in the scheme, which will see Dublin become the sole base for an intensive, 10-month training regime, were namedyesterday at the launch of the programme.

Muller wants his elite players at his disposal in the run-up to the 2011 European Championships, knowing that a top-four place would secure automatic Olympic qualification.

The South African has had to bat off criticism from a number of club coaches, who believe the cost will be prohibitive in such austere times, and forecast ruinous consequences for club hockey.

Irish internationals (back row) Julia O’Halloran, Audrey O’Flynn and Lisa Jacob and (front row) Shirley McCay and Nicci Daly with national coach Gene Muller at the launch of the central preparation programme (CPP) at ESB in Dublin yesterday. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

But addressing such concerns, Muller, speaking exclusively to the Southern Fried, insisted that ongoing failure to secure a seat at international hockey’s top table would have bigger implications for the sport here.

“My true belief is that if the national team does not begin to do better, we’ll be facing a much bigger problem for hockey in Ireland in the future, than the loss of players to a national programme,” he said.

“Given the current funding structures, with so much emphasis on performance, Ireland must address the way in which national teams prepare and perform.

“International hockey is becoming so much more competitive, and I think Ireland needs a systemic change. We’d done things a certain way for such a long time, but it just wasn’t enough, because we were having difficulty closing the gap (to the top nations) — and the gap was getting bigger.

“We’ve gone down a route that 10 other countries have gone down in the last few years, and I think that’s inevitable, given the way the international game is going.”

While Muller said he sympathised with clubs losing players to the programme, he argued that of the five moving to Dublin, the majority were in “transitional periods” of their lives, having finished college.

“I can’t just say that it’ll have no impact whatsoever – the reality for a province like Munster is that three players are moving,” he explained.

“But it would hardly be a positive indictment of a league to say that three players leaving will destroy it. We’re talking about a small amount of players. You can of course push the angle that this is bad for a league, but if you’re resourceful or creative, you could see that as a possibility to develop more or new players.

“Historically, players leave leagues all the time; I fail to see that two players from Ulster and three from Munster would have an adverse effect on the league.

“With the regional (Irish training) system, and the fact we were preparing for national events on a piecemeal basis, player availability for clubs was lower than it will be now in a fully centralised system. The number of matches will increase, taken against the last two or three seasons.

“Obviously, the issue for the clubs then is who the player chooses to play those matches for.

“When we discussed this with the team, we said ‘if your circumstances permit you to do it, then it could be an advantage to do so. But we’re an amateur sport, and there are things that are more important to players, such as the ability to have a job, or be near family and friends.

Irish players (l-r) Julia O'Halloran, Audrey O'Flynn, Nikki Evans and Cliodhna Sargent share a joke at the launch of the CPP at ESB HQ in Dublin. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

“From talking to those players who can (centralise), they see this as an opportunity, not a sacrifice. But I can understand how some players could see it as a loss, and those players have decided not to move.”

His view is backed up by one of the five players to move to Dublin, Cork native Audrey O’Flynn, who is ending a successful soujourn at UCC to begin a new stage of her career with Leinster kingpins Hermes.

“Some critics are saying the CPP will be detrimental to the Munster league, because it is going to lose players to the programme,” O’Flynn told Southern Fried.

“But of the three Munster-based players leaving the league, myself and Julia (O’Halloran) were finishing university, so may have been leaving Cork anyway, while Sinead (McCarthy) has only been playing in Munster for a year.

“It would’t say much for the quality of the league if three players leaving would have such a big impact on it.”

Muller admitted he found it perplexing that the CPP plan has drawn criticism for the effect it may have on club hockey, while more than a dozen of the men’s national side have decamped to foreign pastures – leaving Paul Revington with a logistical headache, as he told The Hook this week -  with little negative reaction.

“If you’re a men’s hockey player, and you’re good enough, you can make quite a good living overseas, and it’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said.

“But I find it perplexing that there’s criticism of an idea – which I think is quite progressive and bold – to improve a national programme. It’s one not just driven by me, it’s driven by the IHA and driven and fed within the team.

“You’ve a group of players who have agreed to it, and are no longer happy with the lowest-common-denominator kind of thinking, who want to excel.

“So I do find it perplexing that one stream is really criticised, and the other stream is not.”

Regarding the cost of the CPP venture, Muller said the Irish Hockey Association will be able to run the CPP programme within their budget, adding that the scheme would not be a runner without the sponsorship of ESB.

He stressed that “nominal” contributions will only be made to the five athletes moving to Dublin – “they certainly won’t be making money from this,” he added -  a move that has buy-in from thesquad.

Ceasing training operations in Cork and Belfast, eliminating the cost of assembling players for training or matches and participating in less games at home and abroad will further offset expenses, Muller added.

Critics of Muller’s reign have pointed to a lack of progression in recent years as reason not to back the CPP plan under his stewardship.

Members of the Irish squad pose with chief executive of sponsors ESB, Padraig McManus, at the company's Dublin headquarters. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Muller’s best result in tournament play thus far has been matching Ireland’s best-ever finish of fifth in the 2009 European championships, while picking up two bronze medals — but failing to earn a shot at qualification — for both the Olympics and the World
Cup.

However, he argues that that would remain Ireland’s lot, unless changes such as the CPP are made.

“The Europeans are by far the most critical event Ireland plays in; we have survived, when many teams have faltered and been relegated,” he explained. “In some ways, we still punch above our weight.

“You’re always going to have critics or detractors, but there’s a pig-headedness in me, which thinks we will overcome that. The people who are criticising are just not optimistic enough to create conditions for success.

“We have played nine or 10 matches this year against teams who are in the top 10 in the world; so we’re not hiding our players, we’re educating them and exposing them. You’re bound to lose many of these games, but it’s where you end up is critical.

“We live with out results, we keep plugging away, and the accumulation of that, I believe, is an Irish team that will qualify for major
tournaments in the future.”

The Limerick native is set to become the most capped Irish hockey player of all time, in either the men’s or women’s code; she has 165 to her name, one shy of the record set by fellow Munster woman and former Cork Harlequins team-mate Rachael Kohler.

Ireland’s senior women kick off their Four Nations campaign against Australia in Essen, Germany tonight (7pm), with skipper Cregan set to equal Kohler’s tally of 166 — a record since 2003 — if she plays.

And she is almost certain to overtake that mark in the games against India and the hosts over the weekend.

Eimear Cregan's superb 3D skills are a big part of her game. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But the free-scoring Catholic Institute player wasn’t always destined to leave a hook-shaped imprint on the sporting landscape.

Typically prodigious in almost every sport she had a crack off, Cregan had looked set to be a GAA star. A niece of legendary former Limerick player and coach Eamonn Cregan, camogie seemed set to be her calling — she’d first picked up a hurley at age three.

But, as she recalled this week, her introduction to hockey almost didn’t happen at all.

“I absolutely hadn’t a clue of the rules and I was from a big GAA family. My friend asked me to come down, gave me a stick and shinguards and the minute I picked up the stick I absolutely loved it,” she recalled.

“A lot of it would transfer over from the ground hurling. I loved the smaller skills, the dodging and so on, from the very start. I didn’t have any expectations, I just went out to enjoy it and it went from there.

“I always wanted to play for Ireland and that drives you on. But it does take a lot of hard work and commitment.” You do put certain things on hold in your life; you miss a lot of parties but you get to play for your country and see the world. We’ve been so lucky and I feel so privileged.”

She made her international debut while studying at the University of Limerick — where she also won an Ashbourne Cup in camogie — in 2001, aged 19.

When an U21 tournament was cancelled due to foot and mouth, then-Irish coach Riet Kuper gave Cregan her chance in the senior setup, and she hasn’t looked back.

She cites scoring a hat-trick against Korea in 2005 and partaking in the 2002 World Cup as her career highlights. But she is is determined to create more memories in the future.

“We’re a young team, we were obviously disappointed with our performance in Chile (failed World Cup qualification campaign) but it’s so good to have a month off and then be able to play in a high quality tournament.

“We’re constantly improving. I don’t think I’ve played with a squad which has been so tactically aware and technically aware due to the teaching of (coaches) Gene Muller and Denis Pritchard. We can adapt to different situations.

Cregan is hopeful the Irish team will have more reason to celebrate in the future. Picture: HockeyPress Argentina

“This team, as long as we stay together and keep improving, we really are focusing on getting an outcome from every tournament to build to getting that fourth in Europe in August 2011 where we’ll be a serious force to be reckoned with.”

Considering that modern-day exceptional talents now make their senior international bow as young as 15 or 16, the fact that Cregan stands on the cusp of such a remarkable achievement at just 28 years of age is proof of her outstanding talent and superb consistency in terms of form.

Had she not been so troubled by injury in recent years, Cregan would have reached this landmark even sooner.

Possessing superb 3D, mid-air skills that are all-too-rare in the women’s game — as well as never-ending determination — she stands out at all levels. And like all great forwards, she has the knack of scoring crucial goals at important times.

The best of these, for me, came in Cork Harlequins’ final Irish Hockey League pool game at home to Armagh in April 2009. Quins were leading 3-1 but needed a fourth strike to give them an all-important bonus point, in order to make the semi-finals.

But with 45 seconds remaining, up stepped Cregan, picking up the ball 40 yards out and careering past three players, before cracking the ball into the bottom corner from the top of the circle, despite being off-balance.

It was just one of hundreds of memorable career moments for Cregan; all of Irish hockey hopes she has plenty more to come, but she isn’t taking anything for granted.

“If I’m honest, I know it sounds a cliché but I always take one game at a time. Obviously, you take each test series as it comes and because I was out injured and had surgery in September, I had to work very hard behind the scenes to get back.

“At that stage, my aim was just to get to Chile and play as well as I could there so now its an absolute bonus to go to Germany and hopefully get my 166th cap.

“I’ve been very lucky to get into the squad, selected by Riet Kuper, and to play in a World Cup and four European championships. I do still take one game at a time and every game as a bonus and never take being selected for granted. It’s just another game, but I’m obviously honoured and delighted.”

Quotes courtesy of, and with sincere thanks to, Stephen Findlater. Check out The Hook today (Friday) for his full interview with the Irish skipper.

Prior to his departure to the Melville City club in Perth, Herbert sat down with Southern Fried to explain the rationale behind his move, citing a recent incidence of being laid off as a primary motivating factor.

“With my recent job situation, I decided I’d like to move out there for a while,” explained the 24-year-old Irish international. “I said I’d look at some hockey teams, sent around a few emails, and Melville got back to me and offered me an opportunity, so I basically jumped on it. I just decided it’s my time to go.

Andy Herbert: hoping to star in his new role with Melville City HC in Perth, Australia. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“It’s a cliché, but because of the downturn, players are looking at their situation. Jobs might come first before hockey for people now, as they reassess their situation.”

Melville helped source three player sponsors for Herbert, which have helped with his flight and accommodation costs and no doubt sweetened the deal somewhat.

Having some Irish caps to his name – he made his senior debut at the Celtic Cup in 2009 – no doubt helped grease the wheels in that sense, but Herbert says he has the approval of national coach Paul Revington to make the move down under.

“He gave me very positive feedback and advised me to go,” said Herbert. “He said it was a great opportunity, especially in light of being laid off, and that he couldn’t hold me back, and he wished me luck.

“A big part of my decision was to have his blessing. I’d always have a regret if I turned my back on the Irish team, and it was something I didn’t look lightly upon.

“I think he (Revington) views people going abroad, experiencing new things and possibly playing at a higher standard than the Irish Hockey League as a positive thing. You can only become a better player as a result.”

The talented midfielder is the latest in an increasing stream of internationals trying their hand abroad. On the men’s side alone, Mitch Darling, Phelie Maguire and Eugene Magee are all based in Belgium, with Stephen Butler soon to join them.

The path down under is also well-worn; Herbert’s former C of I clubmate Jonny Bruton spent time at Fremantle last season, the club where Mick Maguire and Peter Blakeney of Three Rock Rovers also made a big impression.

Blakeney even earned a call-up to the Western Australia regional side, the SmokeFree WA Thundersticks, who compete in the Australian Hockey League, an achievement which Herbert would love to emulate.

Herbert's former C of I tesam-mate Jonny Bruton, has just returned after a year in Australia, which included a stint in Perth with Fremantle hockey. Picture: Adrian Boehm

He spoke to each of those players when making his decision, and was partially swayed by Phelie Maguire’s recommendation of the talents of coach Peter Freer, who recently pitched up at Melville following a period with Fremantle.

While acknowledging that the Melville’s's help in securing sponsorship places a certain amount of pressure on him to perform – “but that’s a challenge I’m looking forward to” – Herbert is determine to enjoy his soujourn, wherever it takes him.

He’s had a mixed start, winning his debut game 2-1 before losing 5-0 the following week. The club currently lies in mid-table, but Herbert says he’s happy to take things as he finds them.

“I’ll play until the end of the season (October) then reassess the situation, depending on what might crop up with me,” said Herbert, who has a Commerce and Italian degree, as well as a masters in Corporate Finance and Accounting, both from UCC.

“Travelling would appeal quite a lot, but I don’t think I’ll be staying in Perth. I also see myself working in London at some stage.”

And what of the side he leaves behind? Cork C of I have endured a serious turnover of top-quality players, with a trio of internationals in Herbert, Bruton and Adam Pritchard heading out the exit door in the past 12 months.

Herbert admits he’s a bit worried about the future for a side who have arguably under-achieved in national terms, given the talent at their disposal until recently.

“After every season we kinda say to ourselves, ‘hard luck, next year is our year’. And another year seems to go by… it was kind of the same this year, but people are leaving now and we (C of I) cant really say that anymore,” he explained.

“But in saying that, there’s a lot of young guys coming through. There were five or six schoolboys all pushing very hard for places this year, and often getting them.

“Also, with the youth in the club, the U15 and U16 internationals, they might still be too young for IHL, but there’s definitely something positive there.”