Tue 14 Dec, 2004
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Ireland: Francey no.2 again  x10
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| Irish Hockey |
December 6, 2004
Belfast Telegraph, UK
> Page Views 709
Graeme Francey was today named new Irish assistant coach although he is familiar with the job.
The Annadale men's boss acted as number two to National coach Riet Kuper up to and during the 2002 World Cup in Australia.
On that occasion he was forced to give up the post primarily due to work commitments.
But with next year's European Nations Cup tournament scheduled for August he has clearly been able to work around the situation with his day job of a school teacher at Inchmarlo.
He will take up his duties almost immediately as the 30-strong Irish senior training panel are due to have fitness testing sessions and rendezvous in a fortnight's time.
Francey, who replaces Sally Bell in the post, and Kuper will shortly be sitting down to examine their options in terms of the build-up for the summer showpiece in Dublin.
Meanwhile holders Pegasus have been drawn away to Railwy Union in the third round of the Irish Senior Cup.
It's not the toughest of ties for the Belfast side although naturally they would have preferred home advantage.
"We know very little about them but we will do our homework between now and January 22," says Pegasus captain Arlene Boyles.
"All Dublin teams are disciplined and we will be taking nothing for granted and approaching it as we should, it being an Irish Cup tie and anything can happen."
Ards have been drawn at home for the third time in a row after Saturday's win over Knock and they will face another all-Ulster tie against Ballymoney.
The remaining local teams have been drawn away, Victorians travelling to Cork to play C of I, Randalstown facing Bandon in Cork and Coleraine travelling to Dublin to play Clontarf.
There were mixed fortunes for Ulster teams at the weekend with wins for Ballymoney, Victorians as well as Ards while Ballymena, Enniskillen and Civil Service all lost.
In the Senior League Pegasus climbed to five points clear at the top after beating Omagh 2-0 as they prepare for Saturday's showdown with Ballymoney.
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Comments on this article
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Curious
12-07-2004 8:05 am
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Just interested, were any of the Irish players who previously worked under Francy consulted before the decision to bring him back was made?
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Intrigued
12-07-2004 9:48 am
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Curious
Curious - why do you ask this? Graeme is an excellent coach and also tactically works very well with Reit. I'm not sure who the other 3 contenders were so can't comment on whether there was someone more suitable. However, I feel that Graeme has alot of knowledge to pass on to the girls.
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Curious
12-07-2004 1:39 pm
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I'll take your word for it that Graeme is an excellent coach but the evidence of the last World Cup certainly does not suggest that tactically he works very well with Kuper. But maybe that wasn't his fault because I don't think she paid a blind bit of notice to his opinions then. I don't think the other contenders ever had a chance -- I understand there were 2, one of them Kuper doesn't even know, the other she doesn't rate -- but I am worried that Kuper has simply chosen a yes man. I have no other evidence than the word of a relation who was on that World Cup squad! I am also concerned about his dealings with southern players. I know, I know, we're moving in to the same old Ulster v the rest territory here, but I know for an absolute fact that several of the southern players in the squad when he was last involved felt his only interest was the Ulster players and he made it quite clear that's where his loyalties lay. Maybe they were wrong, maybe they were paranoid, but maybe they were right too? I just think his return is a step backwards.
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Interested
12-08-2004 8:06 am
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Curious
I would agree with Curious. Also what track record does GF have coaching ladies hockey. Has he won something I have missed. No doubt there will be the response of how great he is at Annadale but thats mens hockey and where would he be if Andy wasnt there.
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Knowledgeable...
12-09-2004 4:50 am
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Graeme Francey
True that Graeme Francey may be a good tactician but people person he ain't! Surely Riet (who to be fair doesn't concern herself with pleasantries either) should be paired with someone who has some people management skills alongside their hockey knowledge in the hope that more of our talented players will stay in the squad without being put off by the Dutch woman's harsh antics!
When was the last time the Irish Senior Squad comprised of a squad of women who truly are at the top of their game without making do with second choice players in some positions because of more talented players making themselves unavailable for selection?!
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jacphysio
12-09-2004 9:59 am
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Pot-shots from the sidelines once more
It is interting as you read through threads on these boards that apparently there is no-one in the world good enough to take on any position in hockey - in pretty much any country. The english are slating their new coach, Dave Passmore has taken a couple of hits and now Graeme is getting it too. I suppose he would need to walk on water or be able to part the Red Sea before some would be happy - but even then I am not sure.
Let the man have a chance to get working with the squad and suspend your criticism until he has had a chance at a major tournament. I know he was involved in Perth and Barcelona and there were some very good thigns that he achieved there (which most of you wont know about) and there were some things that he learned from. He has learned the difference between the men's and the women's game but he is also not ready to settle for the way the women have played - just because that is how they have always played. As for his people skills - depends on who you ask - but then that goes for all of us now doesnt it?
Put away your swords and allow the new coaching team time to prepare the squad for the Europeans - then you can criticise (I am sure of that).
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Declare yourself!
12-09-2004 7:44 pm
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Fair enough jacphysio but don't you think before you make supportive comments about the Irish coaching staff you should own up to who you are? You're hardly in a position to make critical comments, are you? I know who you are and many others here probably do too but not every one will realise the identity is in the name!
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As above
12-09-2004 7:48 pm
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Knowledgeable, couldn't agree more, your comments tally 100% with what I have heard.
What we have now is a second rate squad made up mainly of players who wouldn't get near selection if our best players would play for Kuper.
Let's just all ask ourselves a simple question - why are so many of the country's best players (Carey, O'Kelly, Magill, Conway, etc) unwilling to play for Kuper?
Isn't it about time someone in the IHA had the BALLS to ask this question?
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Realist
12-10-2004 4:24 am
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The ego has landed
One of the problems in Irish hockey at present seems to be that there are too many supporters/players running around with huge ego's who have been used to being pampered at their clubs, not being asked to put in the really hard work, getting 'easy' Interprovinicial and Irish caps at underage and in some cases Senior level in the past. All of a sudden someone professional comes in, demands more and these players instead of staying and fighting their corner take the easy way out and choose not to play for the coach!! In what other sport do players choose not to play for the coach. NONE that I can think of. Just because Beckham and Ferguson don't get on does Beckham choose not to play. Because Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson don't get on does Jordan choose not too play for the coach. Please don't use the argument that it is different because they are professional athletes. At International level/elite level of any sport players are not or should not be in it for 'something to do on a Saturday'. Have to say that things that need to be looked at include some flexibility in the system to accommodate people holding down jobs or a family and I do feel that a squad of players would know that this is necessary and it wouldnt disrupt a squad as much as people think.Players need to realise that like in business there is always someone else who can be ready to step in to your shoes no matter how indespensible you think you are to any team. Talent alone will not win Ireland anything. Talent needs to have dedication, a good work ethic and a desire to be the best. If the player really is as good as they think and could make the Irish squad the question we should be asking is why would they let something like the relationship with the coach stop them achieving their ultimate goal!!
To respond to 'Declare yourself', at least Jason is prepared to come on and defend someone. That is much harder to do than take pot shots anonymously and with very little evidence.
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Give me a break
12-10-2004 12:31 pm
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Realist - "All of a sudden someone professional comes in, demands more and these players instead of staying and fighting their corner take the easy way out and choose not to play for the coach!!"
You seriously have not got a clue. Your whole post smacks of someone who will defend the powers that be to the hilt, regardless of their failings. Pathetic. It is also quite obvious that you are not someone who has ever had to sacrifice what Kuper's players have been asked to sacrifice. It is therefore so, so, so, so easy to pontificate. Spare me!
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