Ireland senior men’s coach Paul Revington received a deserved early Christmas gift yesterday when he was named as one of world hockey’s best coaches for 2011.
Paul Revington: Won three trophies with Ireland, finished 5th in Europe and helped the side rise two places to 16th in world rankings. Picture: Adrian Boehm
The annual International Hockey Federation (FIH) awards are voted for online by players and supporters worldwide, with All Star panels for both the men’s and women’s games named.
Revington was named alongside Australian Colin Batch, who led Belgium to the Olympics, as an All Star coach, and becomes the first Irish coach to claim such an accolade.
It follows a stunning year that saw his young side produce an above-ranking fifth place finish in August’s European championships.
Ireland also annexed the Celtic Cup, Champions Challenge II and INSEP Five Nations — where they were the lowest-ranked side in contention — trophies, with a 5-1 mauling of world number six Korea the individual highlight.
The side also jumped two places to 16th in the world, and will enter March’s Olympic qualification tournament on home soil in Dublin with confidence.
For the full list of FIH All Star players and coaches, click here.
This is a wonderful achievement for Revs, he has a very focused attitude to winning and has galvanised the mens national set-up. I would like to say he is one of the most talented and exciting coaches I have ever seen and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him even if it was for only a short period. I wish Revs and the Irish mens team good fortune in the coming season.
Posted by Stephen P Jackson | December 24, 2011, 5:31 pm