Joan Morgan, the manager of the Irish women's hockey team, and both assistant coaches, Glynis Taylor and Bernie Heffernan, have announced their retirements from their respective positions. All three cited pressure of work and time constraints as the reasons for leaving the posts they took up in early 1998 after the appointment of Riet Kuper as senior coach.

Kuper, however, is keen to stay on as coach and has already come up with names of possible replacements for the trio, but has yet to speak officially to the newly formed Irish Hockey Association about her future. Taylor's decision, in particular, comes as a surprise after being touted as a likely successor to Kuper but the Belfast PE teacher insists she never had designs on the Dutch woman's job. "I really, sincerely hope that Riet stays on."

The one good piece of news for Kuper is that Peter Darley, who will coach Hermes next season, will stay on as Irish goalkeeping coach.