Cregan forced to call time on Irish career

Eimear Cregan was yesterday hailed a “true legend of Irish sport” after announcing her retirement from international hockey due to injury. Cregan, the Irish women’s captain and record caps holder, has suffered from a degenerative, arthritic condition in both knees for the past six years. The determination to continue playing despite that huge obstacle was part of what made her leadership material for Gene Muller’s side, and the South African yesterday was dismayed expressed his dismay at the news. “I am very sad Eimear is retiring from international hockey. It was a privilege to work with her over the last few years. She is a true legend of Irish sport. I loved watching her play hockey,” he said. “She was exciting, powerful, and unpredictable. She always led by example and took her role of captain very seriously. My hope is that her legacy of motivation and passion will continue to live on in the team. I wish her only the best for the future.”

The Limerick native won 171 caps and scored 26 goals in an over a 10-year international career, which began in 2001 when she earned her first cap against Wales, aged 19. Known for her destructive dribbling and superb 3D skills, the forward racked up 100 caps in six years and last in the summer of 2010 passed Rachael Kohler’s international caps record at the Four-Nations tournament in Essen, Germany. Cregan said: “For the past six years, I have managed to play through the pain barrier to overcome this degenerative condition but, unfortunately, I am no longer able to train at the appropriate level required for international competition. “It is with deep sadness that, in consultation with medical staff, I have had to consider the long-term implications of continuing to train and compete at this level and have been forced into retirement.” Following vice-captain Bridget Cleland’s retirement in December, Irish coach Muller will now have to plan without 320 caps worth of experience as he hopes to build toward this year’s European Championships. Cregan nonetheless yesterday backed the squad, who have been training  intensively together on a near full-time basis in Dublin since October as part of a central preparation programme (CPP), to achieve their ultimate goal of Olympic qualification. “To the members of the Irish senior women’s hockey squad, I wish you all the very best in your quest to qualify for the Olympics in 2012,” she said. “I have no doubt that if all of you  continue to work as hard as you are doing right now you will achieve that goal and I will be supporting each of you every step of the way.” Irish international team-mate Shirley McCay yesterday penned a moving tribute to Cregan on her blog, McCay Matters, highlighting her bravery and commitment in the face of crippling injury problems. “I am so proud to say I have played with Creggie for my entire international career. I can vouch for the rest of the girls on the squad when I say I am gutted she has been forced to retire,” McCay wrote. “Quitting is something she was never any good at, and I know for sure how devastating this decision has been for her. She is a true legend of the game, and a huge hole has been left in the heart of Irish hockey. “We will miss her banter but I am sure she will never be far from the side-line, supporting us all the way. A special person and a special player. Cregan’s departure increases her former Munster team-mate Áine Connery’s chances of earning a full-time place in the CPP, where she is currently included on a “probationary” basis. However, no official announcement on this – nor the identity of the Irish team’s new captain – has yet been made by the IHA. To read Eimear Cregan’s last major written interview, given to The Hook last summer, click here. To read my Irish Examiner tribute to Cregan, written around the time she broke the Irish caps record, click here. To read fmore quotes from Cregan and tributes from the IHA and ESB, click here.