Hockey clubs must deal with player migration

Clubs should stop blaming ambitious players for migrating elsewhere and instead look inwards for solutions to one of Irish hockey’s big talking points, according to a highly- respected coach educator.

Mick McKinnon, who guided Armagh from the seventh tier of Ulster hockey to the Irish League and also won numerous national titles with Railway Union, believes clubs that have seen their best talent move to EY Hockey League teams shouldn’t feel sorry for themselves.

The advent of a season-long, 18-game national league last season has seen clubs such as Cork Harlequins women and Lisnagarvey’s men benefit from a major influx of provincial club players who wish to compete at the highest level.