Cleland exits international stage

Ireland’s bid to secure Olympic qualification was dealt a significant blow yesterday, after vastly experienced defender Bridget Cleland (McKeever) announced her retirement from international hockey. The demands of combining full-time employment as a teacher in Dalriada School in Ballymoney, Co Antrim with the ever-increasing commitment required for international hockey has prompted to Cleland to end her career in a green jersey after wining 150 caps. A tenacious and brave defender, the 27-year-old made her international debut against Japan in 2003 and became vice-captain in 2009, wearing the skipper’s armband on a number of occasions in the absence of Eimear Cregan.

Explaining her decision to retire, she said it was an extremely difficult decision but it came as a “result of increasing work commitments, family and travelling, I am unfortunately unable to meet the demands of international sport.” Muller yesterday led the tributes for Cleland: “Bridget has been an excellent player and leader for Ireland in the last few years. She was a tough defender, a consistent performer, and a mature leader who held enormous respect within our team. “I have always experienced her as honest, mature, and constructive. I have no doubt that she will continue to be remarkable in her life outside of the national team. I wish her only the best for the future. Her retirement leaves a gap in our team that will be hard to fill.” Irish captain Cregan, who has spent 13 years playing alongside Cleland for senior and underage international sides, added: “Since her international debut, Bridget has become one of the most consistent, determined and tenacious players to have ever worn an Irish shirt. “She has been a fantastic leader both on and off the pitch and has always encouraged all players to strive for success.” Cleland added that, while she is no longer with the team, she will support the team and is fully behind the Central Preparation Programme (CPP), believing it is a plan which give the side a chance at breaking into the elite of world hockey. “Irish hockey is entering an exciting phase with the introduction of the central programme, an initiative of which I fully support. It was evident having played for Ireland for the past eight years that we needed to make a positive change in order to compete at this level.”