IRELAND HOCKEY STAR Mitch Darling is calling time on his international career.
The 30-year-old has amassed 183 caps for the Green Machine — scoring 51 goals — since making his debut against England at the age of 18 in 2006.
The forward went on to become a key player for Ireland — winning a European bronze medal in 2015, while appearing at the Olympics Games the following year and the 2018 World Cup.
He also enjoyed club spells in Belgium and the Netherlands, before returning to his local club Three Rock Rovers in 2016.
“I want to thank the coaches who contributed significantly to my development during the early years from Wesley College and Three Rock Rovers,” Darling said.
“I’m eternally grateful to the Irish support staff and management, both past and present, who went above and beyond to help us perform on the pitch.
“As a player I think I really flourished under the tutelage of Paul Revington and Craig Fulton; incredible men and detailed coaches that revolutionised both the game and the players in Ireland.”
“Thanks to everyone who has supported the team over the years, the supporters undoubtedly helped propel the team to where they are today,” he went on.
“Thank you to Hockey Ireland and all the sporting bodies who supported us during the years. A huge thank you to my wife Erika, Mum, Dad, my brothers and sister for their unconditional support all along the way.
Finally, I just want to wish both the men’s and women’s teams all the very best for the upcoming qualification for Tokyo 2020.”
Head coach Alexander Cox added: “I want to congratulate Mitch on an amazing international career with The Green Machine. He has had an important influence on the successes that the team has enjoyed over the last 10 years.
“Not only because of his outstanding qualities as a player, but also as a great person in the group, we will miss him. As a new chapter in his life starts, I wish him all the best with his family and professional career.”
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Thats a pity. Two teams from the west/north west getting relegated doesnt help keep the league nationwide.
Congratulations to St pats for staying up. That was a great win last week v cork and a fantastic draw today
@smithers: well done pats ccfc
I felt sorry for Galway until I heard they had voted to make it a ten team league. Not smart seeing the club is broke.
Disappointed Sligo couldn’t have finished on a victory against the worst team but its all about survival, can’t complain
Great that pats survived
Very hard luck Galway. Supporters are behind you 100%. Sort out some off field issues and we’ll be back.
Well done pats
Well done to sligo ,doesnt make sense a 10 team league stupid from the fai
@ryan o sullivan: I’m a harps fan but well done to the teams that stayed up. It’s a long season so no hard luck stories. The FAI, they’ll be happy two out of the three are from the West/North West cuts down on the travel for the teams that matter most to them. They would of preferred Sligo to Drogheda but two out of three ain’t bad i suppose!
@ryan o sullivan: yep
@ryan o sullivan: apparently the majority of clubs voted for it. Why??
@ryan o sullivan: makes no sense , as a neutral i dont follow any team but i cant see how making a 10 team will do any good, id be more inclined to see a 15 team league with 2million for the prize winner work out , if the fai werent such stingys fuks
@ryan o sullivan: 10 team league driven by clubs, unfortunately broadening the league just makes the standard worse. The idea is that a smaller league would be more competitive. Not a fan of the FAI but this one came from the clubs.
Galway United have been a shambles for a long time now! Bring back Don…
Go on you saints ⚽️
Two relegation’s on the bounce for Keggan. That must suck.
Galway will rise again. It has a good fan base in the city.
Hard to take. Strange season, very little between 5th and 11th placed teams.