McKinnon steps down from IHA coaching role

The Irish Hockey Association (IHA) has praised the contribution of Mick McKinnon to the development of the sport after he announced his resignation from his post as coach development manager yesterday. McKinnon, best known for guiding Armagh’s ladies to five successive promotions and the Irish U18 girls to two fourth-placed European championship finishes, is stepping down to take up a position as a special needs teacher and hockey coach at the King’s Hospital School in Palmestown. He will officially finish in the post on September 19, though he will remain on in a voluntary capacity as coach of the Ireland U15 development girls’ squad.

The IHA’s national development officer Fiona Mills said McKinnon has had a “huge impact” on coaching education in his 20 months in the job. “Mick’s determination and hard work has developed our coaching pathway to an exciting point, and he is responsible for Irish hockey’s extensive coach education programme,” said Mills, who added that the IHA will be seeking an immediate replacement. “Whilst we are sorry to see Mick leave Irish hockey, we look forward to continuing our relationship with him in his capacity as a hockey coach and tutor. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Association to wish Mick the very best for all of his future endeavours.” McKinnon, who also coaches Railway Union’s senior ladies, said he had enjoyed his time with the IHA: “I feel we have made great strides in the coach education field in the past 20 months, including the significant increase in our tutor pool and the establishment of a Level Three Award. “I would like to wish everybody at the IHA all the best for the future; they have been a pleasure to work with. I still intend to work within Irish hockey circles continuing my work with the national U15’s and in a voluntary capacity.”