Hockey Ireland: Search for New Men's Coach Begins After Tumilty Exit

Hockey Ireland has initiated a formal recruitment process to find a new senior men’s head coach after Mark Tumilty announced his departure from the role. The governing body confirmed the change on Wednesday, stating that a search for a permanent successor will commence immediately.

Tumilty, a former Irish international, was originally appointed in 2019 on a short-term contract. His position became permanent in 2020. Under his leadership, the team achieved its highest ever ranking in the tournament, finishing in 10th place at the World Cup held in August.

The organization cited Tumilty’s desire to "take a break from the demands of international coaching" as the primary reason for the exit. A formal statement from Hockey Ireland expressed appreciation for his leadership and dedication to the development of the senior squad. "We respect his decision," the statement read, "and wish to express our sincere appreciation for his leadership, dedication and contribution to the development of the senior men’s team."

Neville Rothman, who served as Tumilty’s assistant coach, will assume the role on an interim basis. The board aims to complete the appointment of the new head coach by the end of December. Tumilty stated that coaching the national team has been a "tremendous honour" and that he feels this is the right time to step back after a substantial period of commitment.

Prior to the World Cup, Tumilty voiced concerns regarding the domestic league standard in Ireland. He noted that an increasing number of Irish internationals are moving to clubs in Europe, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands. He had advocated for a longer term strategy to boost standards through improved coaching development and better facilities, specifically targeting pitch quality.