Irish Women Hockey team captain Eimear Cregan ends her career on medical grounds – Hockey Feature
Eimear Cregan, Captain of the International Irish Women team, announced to retire from the International Hockey in February, 2011 after a long battle with her medical conditions.
The decision of retirement had been taken because of arthritis in both her knees for the past six years of her hockey career. She had been trying to fight out of her pain, but felt victim and got forced towards retirement. Due to her problem she was not
able to match up the calibre required for an international game.
Currently, Cregan held a career record of outstanding 171 matches capped in the Irish outfit over the past ten years. Her hard-work, dedication and excellent performance made her able enough to be counted among Ireland’s most renowned players of all times.
Cregan stated that the difficult decision for retirement was made on the advice of the medical staff. She managed to play through the barriers of her pain, hence trying to overcome her deteriorating health condition, but is no longer able to be trained like
the rest of the women squad. She can no longer meet up the appropriate level that is required for an international competition. She shared her grievances regarding her condition and said that she had to make the decision, considering the long term implications
of her tough training.
The High Performance Director, Dave Passmore spoke of her injuries and how she still managed to go on in her career. He spoke well of the commendable contribution that Cregan had made to the Irish Hockey. He said that it is a depressing loss for both her
squad and herself, being forced into a retirement choice. Not many will ever know how hard she pushed herself for the sake of her career, in spite of the pain she was bearing over the past few years. Her absence shall more be a loss for the Irish hockey, in
general, than the team.
Cregan started out her career in 2001 by winning her first match against Wales at the age of 19. Consequently, she was selected by Coach Riet Kuper to represent Ireland since then. From there onwards, her hunger for the international fame had begun. She
improved herself more and more in every attempt and earned her 100th International against Italy in 2007. Later, she was awarded the title of captain in 2008. In the Champions Challenge II in 2009, Cregan reached her 150th International
against Belgium in Kazan. And now currently she was holding a record of 171 Internationals, until retirement.
The present coach, Gene Muller commented to be sad on the news of Cregan’s retirement. Gene felt privileged to have worked with such a fine player like Cregan, over the last few years. She is undoubtedly said to be a true legend for the Irish Sport.
On the young player’s departure, the President of the Irish Hockey Association (IHA), Herbie Sharman expressed the fact that she will be missed in her absence from the squad for her outstanding commitment towards the Irish Hockey. He further said that it
is hoped that she will continue to be involved in various domestic hockey events through her club in the forthcoming years.
The hockey player expressed her gratitude for all the support she got over the years of her career. She personally thanked various sports bodies like the Irish Sports Council, the Irish Institute of Sport, Olympic Council of Ireland, ESB and the team-kit
sponsors Samurai.
She took time thanking her coach Gene Muller, who had invested great amount of time and effort to bring the squad to a new level.
Lastly, she paid a tribute to her fellow squad members and wished them luck to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
The IHA bid farewell to the great female hockey player by wishing her good luck and good future ahead.
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