Jermyn: Belgian offer too good to turn down

John Jermyn admits he has surprised even himself by opting for another foray into club hockey on the continent, after signing up to play with Belgium’s Royal Pingouin Nivellois for next season.

The 30-year-old Cork man reached the inaugural EuroHockey League final during a stint with Holland’s HGC in 2008 but had since returned to hometown club Church of Ireland and focused on his job as a solicitor with Ronan Daly Jermyn. But the newly-promoted Pingouin – Penguins in English – have agreed a deal with the decorated Irish international which will see him fly to Belgium on weekends for matches only, allowing Jermyn to continue his law career in Cork. Jermyn, who needs just two more goals to overhaul Stephen Butler as Ireland’s all-time top goalscorer, admitted the Belgian offer was too good to turn down, while Cork C of I yesterday said they “wish John all the best and look forward to following his progress with his new club”. Many of Jermyn’s international colleagues play full-time in the semi-professional continental leagues in Holland, Belgium and Spain, although Mitch Darling is heading in the opposite direction, moving home to link up with Three Rock Rovers again after stints with Dutch sides Den Bosch and SCHC.