New Irish coach Smith vows to hit the ground running

New Irish senior women’s coach Darren Smith has hinted he may veer away from a centralised training system when he takes charge next month.

The New Zealander admits he won’t make any sweeping changes initially, having seen Ireland “head in the right direction” under Gene Muller and interim coach Denis Pritchard.

The girls in green pitched above their ranking to reach March’s Olympic qualifier final — losing to Belgium — and were the surprise packet of the Champions Challenge I in September, finishing third of the eight sides to rise to 14th in the world.