A wee dander with ............. Katie Mullan - Ireland Hockey Captain


The face of Irish hockey was changed forever in the summer of 2018 with the achievements of the Irish Women's hockey team in London at the World Cup. Reaching the final when no one had given them a prayer at the start of the tournament was a momentous achievement and was the talk of the country.  North and South, the Irish were buzzing and Ulster was especially proud of it's daughter and team Captain, Katie Mullan.

Hailing from the northernmost part of our Island, Katie was seemingly someone who could turn their hand to a lot of sports, namely athletics and Camogie for Eoghan Rua, Coleraine where she won an All-Ireland Intermediate title in 2010.   Obviously no slacking was contemplated in her studies where she is a qualified Biomedical Engineer, but Women's hockey in Ireland is still predominantly a semi-professional career rather than given the time to concentrate fully on it.  Katie made her international debut in 2012 and although funding has dramatically improved, the women's game in Ireland still requires a boost in order for the full potential of its star to be realised.

I was watching the semi-final live on Tv in my living room, when the national anthems began.  It would be fair to say 'Ireland's Call' splits opinion in the country, but it serves a purpose. What struck me the most was the faces of Ireland's players.  They were joyous, happy, exuberant. Each girl was roaring out the anthem with a beaming smile on her face, and none more so than Katie Mullan.  These girls were overjoyed at reaching this position and there was no sign of nerves and tension whatsoever. Having followed the Men's Football World Cup at the start of the Summer, the difference was stark.  Other than the aftermath of a goal celebration, the participation itself in the game did not seem to bring positive emotions.

It was clear to see that Irelands Hockey team were thrilled to be there - from the 1st minute to the last, and that, for me was a delight to see.  The qualification for the Olympics and that magical evening in Donnybrook brought the memories flooding back.  I could recall bringing my eldest daughter in to watch the celebrations and show her the elation sport can bring.

Sometimes teams can transcend their sport and come into the national consciousness  - the Irish Hockey Team were ones of those teams and the achievement will live long in the memory.

Talent, allied to hard work but backed up by sportsmanship, is a priceless asset and to a woman, the Ireland Hockey team showed their people what they were made of.

Inspirational!



Photo courtesy of The Irish Times

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