John McInroy has been confirmed today as UCD’s player-coach for the 2009/10 coming season, making the switch after a successful season with Corinthian, winning the Mills Cup and obtaining an IHL place.
McInroy’s move comes as the men’s club look to emulate the achievements of the UCD women’s setup with UCD Director of Sport Brian Mullins saying of McInroy’s appointment: “We are delighted John has come on board. He brings with him first hand experience of University hockey transformation following his involvement with University of Cape Town and their rise to the South African national club championship in 2003.
“That particular team produced seven senior international players and we see this as being a target for UCD Sport. We are excited about the next phase for UCD Hockey.”
The former Pembroke man will take up an MBA in the UCD-affiliated Smurfit Business School and said of the move: “This was simply an opportunity I could not pass. I believe UCD can become one of the most powerful clubs on this island. The lifestyle of a student-athlete is conducive to developing international sportsmen and truly close-knit teams.
“UCD will become an obvious choice for students wishing to achieve high education standards while also developing themselves as elite level hockey players.”
“UCD will become an obvious choice for students wishing to achieve high education standards while also developing themselves as elite level hockey players.”
Elsewhere on the coaching merry-go-round, Gerry Wheeler moves back into the Fingal hot-seat with Johnny Harte moving back to Bray’s ladies.Former Fingal skipper Brian Scully (pictured, right), meanwhile, has taken up the Weston ladies coaching role and has joined the men’s division two club as a player. Paul Kennedy – last year’s coach at Weston – has returned to St James’ Gate.
50 comments:
Bacchus for Corinthians?
great news for UCD mens hockey!
statement says that he will be there for next season - 3rd senior club in 18 months-- only 7 left for the full deck !!
Any update on Avoca's new coach??
The Bacchus era at Corinthians is long over. It was successful to a point but I'm sure it would feel like a step backwards for both of them.
Good luck to McInroy. Might want to look into getting that 'few years grace' thing lifted if he plans on sticking around there.
How are you supposed to get any sort of consistency as a coach with a rule like that?
The fact that it differs for the mens team and ladies team in the one club is bizarre. Particularly when one is winning a national cup and the other is just trying to finish second from bottom in Div 1 and win the play-off game, whenever they're up there in Div 1...
you must not be letting any comments through if you killed mine. getting quite strict in your drill seargent days.
mad move in my books. people play in ucd for the crac and the religation battles, could work very well or be a disastor waiting to happen
anyone wanting to play sen international hockey in the next 2-3 years and be part of the challenge for a shot at a place at the olympics in 2012 cannot realistically play or stay with UCD as they are a long way from IHL level –this will be a slow burner --perhaps in the next 5-7 years with lots of luck
With UUJ, they got in a pair of big international players - probably on major scholarships. To make this as instant a success, they'd need to bring in some major names...
There is usually loads of good players in UCD who never join the club, some names have been bandied about so will be interesting to see who actually takes the risk and joins come september
Some of the comment above are disgraceful and show a complete lack of respect to UCD. Put your name on them if your gonna criticise.
Firstly, UCD Mens and UCD Womens are not the same club, they're completely separate clubs.
Secondly, who are you to comment on the 'year of grace' if you quite clearly no nothing about it. It states that 'recent' graduates of UCD may play with UCD, therefore if you are five years out of UCD you can still play for them.
Finally, it is pure obnoxious to say that players go to UCD for craic and to finish second last so they can play in the play-off. Players have worked hard to keep the club up so that one day UCD can become the club it has potential to be.
These comments should not even be allowed on this blog. They are damaging to UCD hockey club and its future.
Interesting... I recall hearing the 'the Legend 'Trapper talking to Bakhus years ago in a pub saying that U.C.D. should sort their rules out!!!!
p.s. don't speak for Bakus, e normally did that for himself, you obviously didn't play against him?
more from the IHA website:
Dave Passmore, Irish Hockey Performance Director, echoed these sentiments by commenting that UCD Sport is taking a step towards creating an elite student-athlete hockey environment. "From an IHA perspective we can only endorse positive steps to create a quality environment for potentially elite players to train within quality programs in our universities. The 18 to 22 year old age range, with the time students have to train during the day and facilities at UCD supports development towards elite participation. Hopefully UCD men will follow in the footsteps of the women and other universities such as UUJ and UCC in helping the development of some of our leading athletes.."
Well done UCD!
It's great to see a club steping up and saying "We're not happy with where we are!" and doing something about it. It looks like they are getting some good support from their sports department as well. It's great to see that kind of support going into hockey from a college.
I disagree that it's a slow burner. That's the thing about college sides. It could be instant if the right people come on board. As the previous poster stated there is tremendous talent in UCD if they can attract those players, under john, you could see them in the ihl in 2010/11.
I'm only saying could, so don't go mad at me.
Saw that bit from the IHA - I think they announced this news first if I'm not mistaken.
seems quite odd that they would be the ones to release the information and what business do they have in this situation. UCD appointed a coach with similarly high credentials on paper and there was no fanfare.
it would defo be a great thing for UCD to become more professional and offer an alternative.
the problem as always with student teams is that the clubs who plow money into youth setups will be the ones who lose out.
I agree with 8.10pm.
People need to recognise the potential that UCD has and the positives it has to offer. It has some of the best training facilities in the country and with the right coach in place, this makes it more attractive to players.
It is also unfair to compare them to the women. The ladies have been in the top flight for 10 years, the men only 2. So it is inevitable that they will have some what more work to do.
It is great too to see the IHA support UCD mens and I hope some young talented players recognise the success they could have with UCD.
Any player who has ever played college hockey will surely tell you that they did not regret it. We are not just in it for the craic (Yes the craic is mighty!) , but there's a lot more to it than that! I appluade them for having the drive and the ambition to do better.
Best of luck to John and all the lads this year!
re 10. 12 "under john, you could see them in the ihl in 2010/11." --this is a rather naive comment and shows no appreciation for the standard and commitment required to achieve IHL --any way John is only committed for one season --still I wish them all the best --it is good for hockey in leinster
re: 8.10PM
I said a few years grace, not one. Misquoting to make a point is pretty pathetic.
Where does it 'state' this info you speak of? I just checked the UCD website and although I've only heard the few years grace thing from ex & current members of UCD, the men's website actually states that the only requirement is that you are a student in UCD.
(http://www.ucd.ie/hockey/contacts.htm)
What's with the "therefore if you are five years out of UCD you can still play for them"? How can you come to that conclusion? You're saying recent graduates. Why is it not 3 years or 7 years??
Does anybody know?
How would lifting the rule hinder UCD though?? I can only see positives...more members, more competition for places = better individual performances, coaches can plan with a view to having players around for the same length of times that other clubs have.
re: 9.10PM
I didn't quote him and wasn't speaking on his behalf. Just gave my opinion. That's what we're doing here, right??
I played against Bacchus a few times and then with for a number of years, so know the man & coach very well.
It's a redundant issue now with the appointment of Cronje anyways.
This just shows the gulf in ambition between the two main college clubs in leinster hockey. It'll be a seriously long time before Trinity regain their (rightful?) status as the leading college side. Well done UCD.
- trinity player
I was referring to the misconception held by most over the 'year of grace'. I obviously was quoting you directly. There is a rule that recent graduates may play because we are a university team, funded by the university and for obvious reasons players must have some affiliation with UCD.
And it 'states' this info in our club constitution so I'm not just making it up like you implied.
You call me pathetic but you just quoted from a web page that is so old it quotes our membership in POUNDS!
And the five years is just an example. You are just looking for points to argue now.
No really sure what has changed at UCD... McInroy is a good coach by the looks of things but the club has had access to the high performance stuff for a while, perhpas they just need to use it more!
what they really need is a lot more people on the sideline like a manager, assistant coach and physio. If college supported them with that, then they'd look a more professional outift.
Are UCD womens team funded or part-funded by the college?
What are the main differences between them, apart form the physical ones!!!
Hardly 9.10's fault if UCD don't update there website...
Would it really be so bad if UCD lifted the restrictive rule?
The restriction to UCD students is always going to be a problem in competing against the other clubs. What is the real incentive for players to move to play for UCD if they feel that by the time they improve the standard so that they are good enough to qualify and play IHL they may no longer be able to play themselves for UCD.
It is a good thing the Sports Dep. takes over the appointment of coaches. Last coach only had a contract for only the training sessions.
What is 2.16 talking about?! Have you not been reading the other comments?!
This just shows the pure ignorance people have. You can play for UCD as long as you want after you graduate. Simple as that.
The reason only UCD affiliated players can play for UCD is that the club gets funded by and is associated with UCD and its sports department. Therefore you must have some connection with the college, otherwise UCD sports department would no longer recognise UCD Hockey as a UCD Club.
restrictions restrictions.. whatever. those who play for their university dont really care not being able to attract older players. The restrictions maintain the youthful ehtos of the teams which makes it great craic. Added to this there are all the extra competitions that the college teams get to play in. It isnt all about winning, and college teams prove this year in year out. Fun is also one of the biggest reasons why young players like to pay for their university.
Good luck to UCD but who is realisticaly gonna join them no matter who the coach is. They need to heavily recruit and hope that players dont leave!
Good luck to UCD and McInroy but I hope they spent their money wisely. Press releases are always great and both Corinthians and UCD are playing THAT game. It looked to me as if McInroy was only part of the story at Corinthians last year. How much was him and how much was Doherty's drag flicks, Cronje arriving in mid season and Darley calling the shots in the background? I guess this year will tell. Any way to more interesting things - how much money on YM, Monkstown and Corinthians squeezing Rovers out of the top 5?
There is absolutely no real difference between UCD womens and mens club in terms of "year of grace". Actually, if anything, the offical rule in girls club is more restrictive. As long as you have a UCD tie you'd be pretty welcome. Nobody has ever been asked to leave. It's not a big deal.
it shouldnt matter who you play for in order to realistically play on the irish side. Whether you play for college of for an IHL team or for team like YM, if your good enough to play for ireland you will get picked regardless!
There are plenty of players who played for ireland while still playing for their college sides.
As for passmore now supporting college teams.. seems like a complete turn around from when he first started!
The UCD mens and Womens Clubs are entirely separate. They get funding from the college based on membership numbers as well as some other minor factors, the women getting more funding than the men
I just want to point out the difference Mary Logue made to the women's side this year. Good coaching is the backbone of any side, in particular with the development stages of a young team and players.
I would like to wish UCD men the best of luck for the coming season.
11.05
name a player to play for ireland while in college after the IHL was introduced
I heard nobody's leaving this year. Talking to people invoved in the move. The club itself were the main movers in John appointment. I was told that the sports department and college were brought in as some of his demands were things the club couldn't sanction themselves. Aparently the sports department has started to take far more of an interest since UCD's promotion and some adminstration changes in the club. All the UCD heads seem really energised and determined. Best of Luck to them. It's an exciting time to be a player there. It's something Trinity and DUCAC could really learn from.
When you're playing in the Leinster League it doesn't matter a monkeys who you are playing for. The reason more Irish players are from IHL teams is usually the same reason those teams are in the IHL, because they've got better players. Robbo just got called up for a full cap and Pelow and Brian Doherty got called up to the Development squad this year, all while not playing IHL.
Well said June 9, 2009 10:12 PM.
A lot of people on this blog are forgetting one of the most attractive features UCD has to offer. Not only do they have arguably the best facilities in the country thanks to unlimited access to the High Performance Centre, but it is the ONLY club a player can join for a few years and and then go back to their former club as better players with no hard feelings! There has been a shift in attitude since the appointment of McInroy as head coach, and with the addition of one or two more players, UCD could well become a mid-table team NEXT season. The ability within the squad (considering a number of top quality players have already made the move) already has the potential to outperform the likes of Railway and Fingal. And if people start taking this project seriously, instead of putting it down and discouraging others from joining, UCD could well become a serious development club both for Leinster and Ireland.
I doubt the sports department actually appointed him (despite what might appear in the press statement). I looked at their website and there doesn't seem anyone there you would even know where to start in terms of looking for a coach. I'm sure they helped though. I suppose that's what they're there for.
Advice to UCD Students --watch Coach Carter Video in advance and decide –will the UCD astro pitch lockout be for Mc Inroys undefeated team due to their poor academic results or his academically gifted team who have not achieved any hockey results!!
Passmore recognises the potential UCD has in helping players to develop. Look at the facilities and fitness experties UCD have. UCD sports centre and sports department is top class, no other club has such facilities.
It makes sense for students to join. Those studying at UCD have all these facilities at their doorstep and highly enthusiastic fitness instructors and specialists.
On top of this having John as a coach will provide a great platform for players to develop and become key members of a Division 1 team. Having that resposability brings out leadership qualities that young players would not develo in other clubs
In response to whoever asked...name a college player who has played for Ireland after the IHL was introduced....
Well on the womens side...Shirley McCay and Emma Clarke come to mind!!!
Also a good number of the UCC girls are involved in the Irish A set up and they weren't in the IHL last year, although are now.
And I don't think you would see Lisa Jacob getting kicked off the Irish squad next year if she stays with UCD just bacause she isn't playing IHL.
That was a completely ridiculous comment to make! It completely belittles not only college hockey, but all clubs not in the IHL.
Best of luck to UCD men.
So 7.38pm, same again for the men's college sides please...
After all, that's what we've been talking about here, particularly after it was confirmed that UCD ladies is an open club and in that respect makes it very different to the men's club!!
7.38
don't be silly. this whole thread has been about men. don't start knit picking...
To 12.27, 8.26 and 11.08.
John Jackson and Paul Gleghorne.
But it's a bit of a stupid question, though. There's only one college side in the country competing in their top provincial league and the IHL has only been in a year. It doesn't really prove anything. Before IHL Peter Blakeney and Phelie both got their first caps while playing for their college. Blakeney, in fact, played his best hockey while in ireland for Trinity. I don't think anyone disputes that, it's fact.
When was it confirmed UCD women was an open club? I've had a couple of friends, one being on the Irish Developement squad, seek to join and been turned away as they weren't in the college. It's definately not.
UCD is an open club to anyone in, or has been in, the college so you can play as long as you want once you've been a student there - that's whats meant by open
But isn't it the same for the men. That's June 9, 2009 8:10 PM and June 10, 2009 1:21 PM seem to imply and June 10, 2009 9:41 PM states it.
a bit off point, but it was in the article, is a player like Brian Scully moving to Weston a sign of an improving Div 2, or the result of Fingal not making IHL? Hope div 2 becomes more competitive, cos in the last few years the league has fallen away.
Weston have a bit of work to do their 2nds and 3rds finished last in their divisions and their firsts finished near the bottom of div 2. Hopefully Brian will make a positive impact. On the plus side I've heard their youth system is excellent and they've a nice new pitch. So although the next few years will be tough hopefully the future's bright.
as a weston player of last year, it was just unfortunate. we had alot of injuries during the season many of them long term.i think we are a club in progression which shall be improved this year with the likes of brian joining(hopefully a few more players to be named soon). we have an exellent youth system which is growing every year.. bring on the new season!
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