Hockey: Harlequins score coup with Black signing

CORK HARLEQUINS have scored something of a coup with the signing of Irish international midfielder Mark Black who previously played with Cork Church of Ireland (Cork C of I).

Black has been out of the game for nearly a year with a cruciate ligament knee injury. He is understood to be close to returning to full competitive action in the near future but wants to play his club hockey with Harlequins.

The move was confirmed last night by Cork C of I secretary Barry Crowley, who said they were very disappointed to be losing a player of Black’s talent.

“We have qualified for the European Club Championships this year and we had hoped that after his return for injury, Mark would be part of that squad.

“However, his brother is a big player for Harlequins and his dad is also involved with them and Mark himself has done some coaching with one of their ladies’ teams, so it is not that much of a surprise he has made this move,” Crowley said.

He added that he expected to receive a letter from his opposite number in Harlequins early next week requesting the player’s release to them. The transfer will be a formality once this request has been made.

Black’s brother Jason, one of the stars of the Irish men’s team at the European Championships in Barcelona last year, is the club captain at Harlequins and the Black family business also sponsors the club’s senior men’s team.

Harlequins’ President, Philip Shine, last night welcomed the development, saying: “Mark is a wonderful player and I am absolutely delighted to have someone of his calibre joining the club.”

Black will fit into one of the strongest club midfield outfits in the country and will also help Harlequins in their ambition to win the Irish Senior Cup and qualify for the European Club championships for the second time.