Hobbs: New coach must help Ireland make next step

Experienced Irish hockey international David Hobbs believes the new Ireland coach’s biggest challenge will be to help the team take “another couple of steps forward” by qualifying for a major tournament. Despite jumping six world ranking places – from 24th to 18th – in four years under Englishman Dave Passmore, Ireland have failed to qualify for either an Olympic or a World Cup. Their most recent bitter pill came last February, when they narrowly missed out on reaching the final of their Olympic qualification tournament, defeating world number seven Argentina – who they play twice in Dublin next week – 1-0, but failing to get the required two-goal margin. Passmore has since stepped down from the Irish men’s coaching hotseat, to concentrate fully on his role as the Irish Hockey Association’s (IHA) high performance director, but is still combining the jobs until his successor is appointed.

The identity of the new coach is set to be revealed in the coming weeks. The IHA have already interviewed six candidates, a number of which are believed to be foreign-based, and the second round of interviews is set to take place in the next seven days. Cork Church of Ireland midfielder Hobbs, a veteran of more than 100 caps, believes the new man must help them make the jump to major tournaments. “We’ve made huge strides under Dave Passmore in my opinion,” he said. “It may not look like it to some people, but the players know there’s been a huge progression. “We’re maybe one step shy of where we need to be to compete for medal positions and qualification (for major tournaments). The new coach doesn’t necessarily need to be someone who’s going to change our tactics, but we need someone who can drive us on a little bit further. “I have my own ideas as to what that (entails), but anyone coming in will have their own. If he gets us pulling in the right direction, we can improve that little bit and finally make an Olympics and a World Cup.” Hobbs added that Ireland’s failings on the world stage, particularly their tendency to defeat top-class opposition then lose to lower ranked teams, are a constant source of frustration within the squad. “It’s frustrating that we’re slipping at the last barrier. We’re competing really well against the big teams, then when it comes to the match we need to win, that’s where we slip up,” he said. “That’s probably more of a psychological thing than what we’re doing on the pitch, because 90% of what we’re doing is very good and it’s progressed massively. “But once we get over that barrier and get to a major tournament,  I can’t forsee it happening again, and I think the coach who comes in needs to be able to drive us on to do that.” The Irish squad are set to assemble this weekend for a ‘super camp’ that focuses on the psychological and nutritional side of player development, with Passmore set to name the panel for the Argentina clashes next Tuesday.