Cregan makes hockey history

Eimear Cregan has succeeded Rachael Kohler to become the most capped Irish international hockey player of all time.
Prior to last weekend’s Four Nations tournament in Germany the 28-year-old Castletroy woman needed just one more international appearance to equal Kohler’s record of 166 caps.
Eimear Cregan did so on Friday when Ireland lost 0-4 to Australia in Essen, Germany. Ireland took on the host nation, Germany, on Saturday, but lost 1-3 to the world number four ranked side.
On Sunday afternoon Eimear Cregan played for Ireland against India and won her 167th cap making the Limerick woman the most-capped Irish hockey player of all time - Ireland lost 0-6 to India.
Cregan, who is a niece of Limerick’s 1973 All-Ireland hurling winner Eamonn Cregan, made her international senior debut at the age of 19 in 2001 against Wales.
The Catholic Institute club player had amassed 50 caps by 2004 and reached the landmark 100 caps in 2007.
In the spring of 2008 Cregan was elevated to the role of Irish captain after the retirement of Linda Caulfield.
Among the highlights from her career thus far were a hat-trick against Korea in 2005 and an outstanding performance at the 2002 World Cup.
Meanwhile the make-up of an all-new Ireland under-17 girls team - which will compete at the World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August - was confirmed over the weekend.
The Ireland under-16 and under-18 coaches, Una McCarthy and Richie Malone respectively, will assist Irish hockey’s high performance director David Passmore in the management of the side.
Catholic Institute duo Rebecca Barry and Roisin Upton and Cork Harlequins’ star Antonia McGrath will fly the flag for Munster.

BRIAN MCDONNELL