Dublin – July 25, 2024: Ireland Men’s Head Coach Mark Tumilty has agreed a four-year contract extension taking him to the end of 2028.
The extension, announced by Hockey Ireland, comes as the IRL Men’s Hockey team prepare for their first game of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games versus current Olympic gold medal holders, Belgium on Saturday, July 27th.
Irish-born Tumilty, was appointed Head Coach in September 2019, just a month before the team’s Olympic dream for the Tokyo games was ended following a hugely contentious finish to their two-legged qualifier in Canada.
Speaking from Paris as the team prepare for Saturday’s Olympic start, Tumilty said:
“I am delighted to be leading the squad into the LA cycle. I feel this squad has still plenty of room for development and I am really excited to be working with them for another 4 years. What’s more, the organisation is in a much better place to support the squad as we look to become a top 8-nation in World Hockey.”
Commenting on the extension, Hockey Ireland Chair Trevor Watkins said:
“We are delighted to extend Mark’s contract. Our Men’s group are competing at the highest level of World Hockey, and we look forward to seeing this level of performance continue into the future. We’re all wishing the squad the very best of luck for Paris 2024.”
Currently, the IRL Men’s Hockey Team is World Rank #11 and as Saturday’s Game 1 approaches Tumilty was keen to add: “Right now, my focus is fully on Paris”.