Ulster’s Katie Mullan believes “the time is right” for her to step away from the Ireland captaincy after wearing the armband for the national team for the last eight years.
The long-time skipper, 30, has confirmed she will be handing over the role to somebody else, however she has confirmed she will be available for selection despite relinquishing her title.
Under Mullan’s leadership, Ireland qualified for the Olympics for the first time by reaching Tokyo 2020, while they also made it to the World Cup Final in 2018, winning the silver medal which saw them named RTÉ’s Team of the Year.
A renowned leader, the Co Derry native played her initial club hockey for Ballymoney and would go on to make her international debut in 2012, before being named captain in 2017 after previously captaining Ireland at underage level, too.
As well as being a respected team-mate, Mullan has been widely credited with bringing through the next generation of Irish talent as well through her inspirational performances.
However, now she has decided to hand over the armband to someone else, claiming “the greatest privilege and honour” of her life has to come to an end after eight remarkable years in the job.
“Captaining Ireland has been the greatest privilege and honour of my life. For eight unforgettable years, I’ve always focused on what’s best for the team and this decision is no different,” said the Coleraine woman.
“I believe the time is right for me to pass on the armband. I’m not ready to retire from playing, as I feel I still have much more to give to the Irish shirt. It’s an exciting time ahead.
“Whilst I have been blessed to lead the team on some of the most historic days in Irish sport, the role has presented many challenges and moments of isolation. I am incredibly grateful to my support network for being there through the thick and thin: my parents, Brian and Cathryn, my four siblings, and granny Joy, my number one fan.
“The role has given me the unique opportunity to build strong relationships within the hockey community and with our team sponsors, all of whom are committed to supporting women in sport which is reflected in their continued help on and off the pitch.
“Thank you to our CEO Anne McCormack, Hockey Ireland, all the coaches and support staff I have worked closely with during my time as captain, including Gareth Grundie for his support since taking up the head coach position in recent weeks. It is great to have so many good people committed our sport.
“Nothing has made the role more special than the players, and those driving change in our leadership groups. Each day it is the girls that have inspired me to be better, to do more. They empowered me to give everything I had to it, and I will be forever grateful to them for that.
“I am incredibly passionate about the future of hockey in Ireland and the legacy we can build. In 2018 we witnessed the potential for the sport but we are still some distance off realising it. In my next chapter I endeavour to continue helping drive the sport to new heights.”