Ireland captain Kohler retires from international arena

RACHEL KOHLER, Ireland’s most capped hockey player and the captain of the side which claimed sixth place at the recent European championships in Barcelona, has announced her retirement from the international side.

The 29-year-old Cork Harlequins player said last night that she felt the time was right for her to step back “after ten wonderful years with the Irish international side.”

Kohler’s decision came as something of a surprise. The Irish ladies team will next year attempt to qualify for the Olympic game in Athens at a qualifying tournament and it had been anticipated that the Irish captain would at least continue until then.

Riet Kuper, the national coach, was disappointed to hear the news. “I am very sad to lose such a fine hockey player but understand her decision. She has been an outstanding athlete to work with both as a player, a captain and as a person.”

Tributes also came from John Smyth, the Irish Hockey Association President. “Rachel’s dedication and enormous contribution over the past ten years has won the admiration of all involved in Irish hockey and she will always be an outstanding role model for the aspiring internationals of the future,” he said.

Kohler said that the decision to retire was a “huge and difficult” one for her.

“I just feel that now is the right time for me to step down. It is not a rash decision and not one I have rushed. It is just that after such a long time with the team, it was time to step down.

“It has been a huge privilege for me to play with and captain Ireland. It has been an honour. but, the physical and mental demands of playing international hockey take their toll and place many other demands on your life and your work.

“It would have ben wonderful to go to the Olympic qualifiers in New Zealand next year, but I feel the time is right for me to step down now,” she said.

She added, however, that there were still many other challenges available to her in hockey and she was looking forward to playing with her club and trying to help them qualify for European competition next year.

Harlequins President Pat Dawson commented: “Ireland’s loss is our gain as a club and we are delighted by that.

“Rachel has been a wonderful ambassador for her club and her country and she will be sadly missed on the international scene.”