One of Irish hockey’s most influential coaches has added his voice to the growing dissatisfaction within the sport with Irish senior women’s coach Gene Muller’s plans to base the national squad in Dublin on a full-time basis.
London native Mick McKinnon, who guided Armagh to six successive promotions before masterminding Railway Union’s first Leinster league title win in 100 years last term, says he is firmly opposed to Muller’s plan to centralise 20 or so athletes in the run-up to the 2011 European Championships.
A top-four finish at that tournament would secure automatic Olympic qualification, and Muller has been busy negotiating with players from Munster and Ulster about potential moves to Dublin, though no policy has yet to be officially put into place.
Mick McKinnon: believes centralisation plan could turn IHL into "a farce". Picture: Adrian Boehm
McKinnon is a former Irish Hockey Association (IHA) employee, having worked as the national body’s first coach development manager from January 2007 to September 2008, as well as spending six years in charge of the Ireland U18 girls side.
However, he argues that Muller’s centralisation plan could have ruinous consequences for club hockey.
“Centralisation basically further diminishes club hockey, which I already suspected was viewed with low regard by Irish Hockey,” he said.
“This would be fine if the IHA’s junior age groups were responsible for developing these players, but as someone who has been involved in these, (I believe) they do not. They merely enhance the talent that the clubs produce.
“Most clubs’ ambitions are to win the Irish Hockey League (IHL) or Irish Senior Cup (ISC), and not to produce players for the national team – that is merely an off-shoot.
“It is no good saying that the players can still play for their home teams; training nine times a week in Dublin and playing in Ballymoney or Cork is not a viable option. Also, it is ridiculous to say that player who don’t centralise won’t be prejudiced against.”
McKinnon added that while his Dublin-based Railway side could potentially benefit from an influx of players to the city, he said he’d be againsy such moves, as they would reduce the IHL to “a farce”.
In a week which saw Basketball Ireland wind up both its men’s and women’s national teams due to a financial crisis, both McKinnon and Belfast Harlequins coach Paddy Grimes have questioned the wisdom and expense of a centralisation plan for Irish hockey in the current climate.
“If centralisation is the way forward,” said McKinnon, “why centralise to the most expensive place to live in Ireland? I would like to stress that this is not an Irish hockey rant. I have been very supportive of Irish hockey in the past and intend to be so in the future.
“There are a lot of good people working for the organisation as both employees and volunteers, but this policy would dis-enfranchise a number of the volunteers in the provinces. If you take away clubs’ ambitions, you take away the enthusiasm of many of the volunteers who have produced the players that they currently want to centralise.”
Grimes described the plan as “a massive monetary investment” that he doesn’t believe is needed.
“Irish Hockey is, in my opinion, on a crash course to disaster. People must get a reality check and have some realism about where our game is at, and where we can get to in manageable time-frames.”
Muller will no doubt be keen for his side to do their talking on the pitch at the Celtic Cup in Nice, France next week, the squad for which is likely to be announced in the coming days.
Post Author:
alangood
6 Replies to “McKinnon blasts centralisation plan”
MICK,I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY.I WOULD ALSO MAKE THE POINT THAT A PAID COACH OF THE IHA SHOULD NOT BE FLYING KITES ABOUT IHA CLUB POLICY.HE IS PAID TO COACH AND NOT TO INTERFERE WITH CLUB TEAMS.I CALL ON THE IHA MANAGEMENT TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM MULLERS COMMENTS AND IF THEY DONT THEY SHOULD BE UOTED OUT BY THE CLUBS ASAP.
Should Ireland withdraw from International Hockey competitions ala basketball. It appears that M McKINNON and P GRIMES are of the view that the current crop of players are perhaps not able in their words to deliver in time frames; we need a reality check;and realism as to where our game is at.
It is interesting to note Micks take on the clubs ambitions and to mention the players selection or elevation to be selected for their country as merely an offshoot. I would feel that it is an honour to be selected to play for your country. This selection also reflects on the clubs. Irish hockey on a crash course to disaster??
We have a very succesful IHL competition in both ladies/gents in only its 2nd year.The format to get to these competitions and final tournament is well received and is producing exciting games.
Practice makes perfect and to quote the boy roy FAIL TO PREPARE ….There is a route via the European Championship for a top 4 finish and entry to the Olympics.Do the clubs wish the National team to put their best foot forward.
I afraid Pat is getting carried away with his comment. The coach is
perfectly entitled to make the suggestion re centralisation. His job
is to qualify the ladies for the 2012 Olympics. If he reckons that
centralisation is necessary then so be it. I would be of the same opinion
if I was in his shoes. To suggest he is interfering with club teams is
ridiculous and for the call for the IHA management to distance themselves
is laughable. Get a grip.
I agree totally with Mick and Pat. This is an idea that cannot be allowed to get off the ground.
If a school produces a player that ‘may’ and we say ‘may’ make it at Irish level they will have to either get a job or a university in Dublin. Who is going to pay for this, Ireland are asking the players to pay to play at times now.
Having seen this system in use in other countries, do you think it fits in with our social structure or out look on life.
Because if these players are having problems with their education even in the middle a term they are removed from a program and sent home, if they are not doing well on the pitch they are cut from the program.
As a parent I would not let my children enter this type of program. I would as most parents would want them to get an education and a career, as hockey will never give you a living wage. The programs have to be very black and white any hint of failure in either education or on the pitch means you have to be cut immediately and another player brought in.
Lastly why would a school/club invest in a sport/ player if they are going to be taken to Dublin to play and only come back after Ireland has no more use for them. Personally I think that the clubs would slowly disappear, schools will stop the sport. Plus if dropped after giving the sport so much at a young age the player give up, they do not play for local clubs they just move on and out of the sport.
Having spent many years in the game I would walk away as the aim as a volunteer is to produce players for the school, the club and if they are good enough Munster.
ANON March 5 9.45
Why limit them to the inter provincial tier. As things stand schools and clubs like most sporting outlets are breeding grounds so to speak for players to develope their talents and graduate where possible to International Level.This current discussion about centralisation appears to be geared towards the anomoly wherby there are 4 possible qualifiers in this instance.Again as per the IHA WEB SITE it is only at the investigation stage.Should it not be explored as per ANON 4 MARCH. Would be nice to see and support any Irish team m/f in London 2012.
We all seem to be missing the point here.
1. Even if there is centralisation, it’ll only not even be for one year.
2. International players are never allowed to play league hockey during the build up to major tournaments (as is the case with the WCQs), so a Cork club player will miss their league games anyway.
3. It is likely that all club players will be released to their clubs for IHL and ISC games.
4. The ”travel” that people talk about is therefore a maximum of three weekends for IHL and whatever rounds the club get through in the ISC. Plus I’m sure players would want to get home occasionally.
5. It is unlikely that players would move and play for Leinster clubs. Firstly most players would not want to do this and no one in the country would support strengthening the Leinster clubs, except maybe the Leinster clubs!
6. What if the players themselves want to do this? Should we stop them because of our desire for them to serve their club? Surely representing their country is far more of an honour.
If it can be done in an effort to qualify us for an Olympic games and the knock on effect it would have for the sport (Cricket has had huge interest in the past two years), then it sohuld be done.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
MICK,I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY.I WOULD ALSO MAKE THE POINT THAT A PAID COACH OF THE IHA SHOULD NOT BE FLYING KITES ABOUT IHA CLUB POLICY.HE IS PAID TO COACH AND NOT TO INTERFERE WITH CLUB TEAMS.I CALL ON THE IHA MANAGEMENT TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM MULLERS COMMENTS AND IF THEY DONT THEY SHOULD BE UOTED OUT BY THE CLUBS ASAP.
Should Ireland withdraw from International Hockey competitions ala basketball. It appears that M McKINNON and P GRIMES are of the view that the current crop of players are perhaps not able in their words to deliver in time frames; we need a reality check;and realism as to where our game is at.
It is interesting to note Micks take on the clubs ambitions and to mention the players selection or elevation to be selected for their country as merely an offshoot. I would feel that it is an honour to be selected to play for your country. This selection also reflects on the clubs. Irish hockey on a crash course to disaster??
We have a very succesful IHL competition in both ladies/gents in only its 2nd year.The format to get to these competitions and final tournament is well received and is producing exciting games.
Practice makes perfect and to quote the boy roy FAIL TO PREPARE ….There is a route via the European Championship for a top 4 finish and entry to the Olympics.Do the clubs wish the National team to put their best foot forward.
I afraid Pat is getting carried away with his comment. The coach is
perfectly entitled to make the suggestion re centralisation. His job
is to qualify the ladies for the 2012 Olympics. If he reckons that
centralisation is necessary then so be it. I would be of the same opinion
if I was in his shoes. To suggest he is interfering with club teams is
ridiculous and for the call for the IHA management to distance themselves
is laughable. Get a grip.
I agree totally with Mick and Pat. This is an idea that cannot be allowed to get off the ground.
If a school produces a player that ‘may’ and we say ‘may’ make it at Irish level they will have to either get a job or a university in Dublin. Who is going to pay for this, Ireland are asking the players to pay to play at times now.
Having seen this system in use in other countries, do you think it fits in with our social structure or out look on life.
Because if these players are having problems with their education even in the middle a term they are removed from a program and sent home, if they are not doing well on the pitch they are cut from the program.
As a parent I would not let my children enter this type of program. I would as most parents would want them to get an education and a career, as hockey will never give you a living wage. The programs have to be very black and white any hint of failure in either education or on the pitch means you have to be cut immediately and another player brought in.
Lastly why would a school/club invest in a sport/ player if they are going to be taken to Dublin to play and only come back after Ireland has no more use for them. Personally I think that the clubs would slowly disappear, schools will stop the sport. Plus if dropped after giving the sport so much at a young age the player give up, they do not play for local clubs they just move on and out of the sport.
Having spent many years in the game I would walk away as the aim as a volunteer is to produce players for the school, the club and if they are good enough Munster.
ANON March 5 9.45
Why limit them to the inter provincial tier. As things stand schools and clubs like most sporting outlets are breeding grounds so to speak for players to develope their talents and graduate where possible to International Level.This current discussion about centralisation appears to be geared towards the anomoly wherby there are 4 possible qualifiers in this instance.Again as per the IHA WEB SITE it is only at the investigation stage.Should it not be explored as per ANON 4 MARCH. Would be nice to see and support any Irish team m/f in London 2012.
We all seem to be missing the point here.
1. Even if there is centralisation, it’ll only not even be for one year.
2. International players are never allowed to play league hockey during the build up to major tournaments (as is the case with the WCQs), so a Cork club player will miss their league games anyway.
3. It is likely that all club players will be released to their clubs for IHL and ISC games.
4. The ”travel” that people talk about is therefore a maximum of three weekends for IHL and whatever rounds the club get through in the ISC. Plus I’m sure players would want to get home occasionally.
5. It is unlikely that players would move and play for Leinster clubs. Firstly most players would not want to do this and no one in the country would support strengthening the Leinster clubs, except maybe the Leinster clubs!
6. What if the players themselves want to do this? Should we stop them because of our desire for them to serve their club? Surely representing their country is far more of an honour.
If it can be done in an effort to qualify us for an Olympic games and the knock on effect it would have for the sport (Cricket has had huge interest in the past two years), then it sohuld be done.