Former Avoca and Trinity player Johnny Cole (pictured with the Dublin University side that won the Mauritius and Avoca cups in 1977) has been included among a group of four to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the IHA at the ESB Hockey Awards to be held later his month.
As one of the most skillful players of his era, Cole made his international debut in 1977 in Glasgow in a 6-1 win over Poland before representing the country 58 consecutive times, captaining the side on 28 occasions – including playing in two European Cups, the Buenos Aires World Cup and an Intercontinental Cup as well as touring Australia.
On the club scene, he won multiple league titles during Avoca’s golden period during the 1980s when they dominated the Leinster circuit outdoor as well as the national indoor scene.
He subsequently enjoyed successful coaching stints at Pembroke, Glenanne, Corinthian and Avoca as well as leading Genesis to the All-Ireland indoor championship in 1984.
The other three inductees are Catholic Institute’s Marie Bartlett, Pegasus’ Jenny Given (nee Redpath) and Belfast YMCA and Lisnagarvey man John Clarke.
Bartlett became Ireland’s most capped player on reaching her 60th cap in 1982 – playing in two world cups.
Given’s international career spanned ten years and an Olympics during which she was selected to play on a World XI to mark the Golden Jubilee of the IFWHA in 1981, playing against the reigning world champions, Netherlands , an Asian selection and a Caribbean XI.
Clarke, meanwhile, gained 56 Caps playing notably in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, the third European Cup in Hanover 1978 and the Intercontinental Cup 1977 in Rome where Ireland finished in the silver medal position.
10 comments:
Congratulations Johnny, well deserved and on top of his many irish honours he also captained a European team, not many people can have that claim to fame,
Congrats Johnny Nd the other 3 receipients
Jonathan
Congratulations Johnny. Well overdue induction to the hall of fame-what a legend
Johnny Cole = Legend!!
AS
Congratulations Coley, not only a great player on the field but also a fantasic man on this side of the fence. Very deserving and enjoy it mate.
Bacchus
Well done Coley.
Well deserved.
Mags
Congrats Coley, phenomenal achievements and a thoroughly deserved induction.
Many congrats JC. Wonder if your nephews playing currently will ever emulate such achievements. Some say the older Coley plays like you!!!
Congrats Coley, great man!
Sutts
Well done to Jenny Redpath an excellent player and person. Same goes for John Clarke a good player, excellent coach and off the pitch a nice man.
Delighted to see Johhny Cole rightly taking his place in the Hall of Fame. A fantastic player and coach.
Many congratulations Johnny.
A true Avoca legend.
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