His team gets their EuroHockey Club Champion’s Trophy campaign underway this afternoon against Glasgow Western in Wettingen, Switzerland looking to maintain an incredible record in European competition for the Booterstown club.
In six European adventures, Hermes only finished outside the medals in their first attempt back in 1998.
Since then, victories in the B-division in
The highlight, though, came in 2000 when the club achieved Irish club hockey’s best ever finish – third place in the Cup Winner’s Cup A division, trailing only German and Dutch opposition.
And Stewart expects that pedigree to transmit itself to the new generation of players rising through the Hermes’ ranks.
Five schoolgirls make the trip but will be guided by the experience of Jenny Burke, Linda Caulfield, Jill Hodgins and Jenny Kinch; all of whom have plenty of prior knowledge of these events.
Indeed, Burke has been part of the panel for every one of the club’s European adventures though missed out in ’98 due to injury.
His side goes into the tournament, though, without their IHL semi-final game-breaker Nikki Evans (pictured, left) due to exams while Emma Gray misses the Friday game for the same reason. Fiona Connery joins the squad in Evans' stead, the international returning 12 weeks after giving birth to add her wealth of class and experience, too.
The scheduling, as such, is something Stewart is none too pleased about. “I have to say one thing about this tournament. I don’t how it affects other countries but it is too late in the year very late, a really awkward time for anyone who studies. I can’t speak for other teams, some teams might have broken up for indoor but, for us, it’s certainly not great.”
Hermes will need to negotiate a group including
Stewart says of the opposition: “The Scottish team will probably be the rivals but that’s not to degrade any of the other teams. I don’t really know much about them to be honest. Realistically, if we play well enough we should do well. We’ll look after ourselves rather than worrying too much about what they play like until we’re over there.”
The tournament will be the Tasmanian’s swansong with the club and while he remains coy over his future, he says the memories from his time will be cherished for a long time.
“People have asked me why I’m leaving. Well, it’s time to move on.
“I think you can have a voice for four years, it’s time to move on. You don’t want to be stale and boring the players.”
The initial plan was to step down at the end of last season but the team’s progression convinced Stewart to stay for an extra year. The whole club knew quite early [that I would be moving on] but because of the success last year, I wanted to finish off going to
“Initially, I was a bit sceptical going to women’s hockey just for a change because, originally, I was either going to have three years out of hockey or find a new challenge but it’s just been fantastic.
“I’d like to just have a public forum to say the club has been, the word I had in my head was ‘fortunate’, fortunate to be with a team for four years – this sounds a bit braggy but… - a side that has won nine trophies and we hope to finish off with ten.
“But also our seconds and thirds both won cups this year so the club has been really progressive. The coaching and organisation in the background has been superb and you look at the fillies… any club would be so envious to have kids like that coming through.
“Joan Morgan, Joan Moran and Susan Spence… they are just outstanding, absolutely brilliant. Those three ladies and all the other people in Hermes have made my life really good. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Inevitably many will ask whether he has anything lined up in the near future but he says he won’t be making any snap decisions.
“I want to enjoy this weekend and then go as far away from a hockey field as I can for three or four weeks because I’m knackered, mate, it’s been a long season.”
Pool A: Siauliai Gintra Universitetas (LTU), HC Mori Villafranca (ITA), SK Slavia Praha (CZE), Swansea LHC (WAL)
Pool B: HC Ritm Grodno(BLR), Hermes HC (IRL), Glasgow Western (SCO), HC Rotweiss Wettingen (SUI)
Friday, May 29 (3pm, GMT) Hermes v Glasgow Western
Saturday, May 30 (4pm, GMT) Hermes v HC Rotweiss Wettingen
Sunday, May 31 (3pm, GMT) HC Ritm Grodno v Hermes
Monday, June 1 Crossover finals
9 comments:
What about his side kick Gordon???
Flash Gordon!!
Good on you Bacchus great achivements in last couple of years with both Hermes and Sutton Park, you will be missed in Hermes , but i am sure warmly welcomed where ever you turn up... Hope you finish off with another title this weekend !
No Gordie the Goafer!!
who will be coaching hermes next season?
Bacchus, I have umpired numerous games with you on the sideline and have to say you have been a perfect gentleman (well most of the time), a lesson some coaches could do with learning, even umpiring for me at the same time!! thanks for the help!! but never causing offence, I wish you all the best in whatever you now decide to do.
Well done to you Bacchus-you have contributed a huge amount to the development of Irish Hockey at School , club for mens and ladies , leinster and Irish level - despite little or no award? And as the last comment said with great attitude.
I'm sorry but the coach in the others european campaigns was not Rudi Wortmann ? And for the true in Swansea 2007 Hermes lost the crossover against Gintra ...of course !!!
To June 2, 2009 3:04 PM
Apologies, have just checked the EHF website and realised my mistake. Hermes lost in the crossovers to Gintra in Swansea.
From my understanding, Rudi Wortmann and Colin Stewart were working together at the time but Stewart was unable to travel due to schoolwork and Wortmann travelled with the side.
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