COLERAINE woman Katie Mullan insists her retirement from the Ireland women’s hockey captaincy does not spell the end of her hugely successful involvement with the sport.
Revealing her decision, former Ballymoney player Katie (30) stressed she will continue to play for the national team, if selected, and will endeavour to continue helping drive the sport to new heights.
Katie’s announcem,ent in full: “Captaining Ireland has been the greatest privilege and honour of my life. For eight unforgettable years, I’ve always focused on what’s best for the team and this decision is no different. I believe the time is right for me to pass on the armband. I’m not ready to retire from playing, as I feel I still have much more to give to the Irish shirt. It’s an exciting time ahead.
“Whilst I have been blessed to lead the team on some of the most historic days in Irish sport, the role has presented many challenges and moments of isolation. I am incredibly grateful to my support network for being there through the thick and thin: my parents, Brian and Cathryn, my four siblings, and granny Joy, my number one fan.
“The role has given me the unique opportunity to build strong relationships within the hockey community and with our team sponsors, all of whom are committed to supporting women in sport which is reflected in their continued help on and off the pitch. I want to give a particular mention to two sponsors I have built a strong personal relationship with over the years; Park Developments have fulfilled a dual career vision for the team by enabling us to transition to a semi-professional program and SoftCo who saw our potential prior to the 2018 World Cup, bringing a new level of professionalism to the environment.
“Thank you to our CEO Anne McCormack, Hockey Ireland, all the coaches and support staff I have worked closely with during my time as captain, including Gareth Grundie for his support since taking up the head coach position in recent weeks. It is great to have so many good people committed our sport.
“Nothing has made the role more special than the players, and those driving change in our leadership groups. Each day, it is the girls that have inspired me to be better, to do more. They empowered me to give everything I had to it, and I will be forever grateful to them for that.
“I am incredibly passionate about the future of hockey in Ireland and the legacy we can build. In 2018 we witnessed the potential for the sport but we are still some distance off realising it. In my next chapter I endeavour to continue helping drive the sport to new heights.”
Could that mean a future coaching role for Katie, who has been Ireland captain since 2016?
She led the team to a surprise place in the World Cup Final two years later and also played a huge role in the Ireland women team’s first ever qualification for an Olympic Games when they secured a place at Tokyo 2020.
Governing body Hockey Ireland responded, saying Katie has “been instrumental in raising the profile of Irish hockey on the international stage”.
A statement added: “Katie is renowned for her tenacity, agility, and ability to rally her team. Her legacy is likely to endure as both a captain who brought her team to unprecedented heights and a role model who continues to inspire young athletes across Ireland.”
Katie, who has been playing with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the Women’s Hockey India League, won an All-Ireland Camogie title with Eoghan Rua, Coleraine.
More Katie Mullan moments, below
