Mark Tumilty agrees Irish contract extension to stay on as men's hockey coach

Ireland men's head coach Mark Tumilty has agreed a four-year contract extension taking him to the end of 2028 and the LA Olympics, should they qualify.

The extension comes on the eve of the side’s Olympic campaign that begins with a clash with gold medal holders Belgium on 27 July.

The County Down man was appointed head coach in September 2019 and a month later they missed out on the chance of reaching the Tokyo Games after a controversial umpire review denied them against Canada.

"I am delighted to be leading the squad into the LA cycle," Tumilty said from Paris.

Ireland's men's hockey team will compete in an historic venue at #paris2024 and one that has a special resonance in this country, reports @joestack_ky#rtesport pic.twitter.com/bmIF8xg2Qk

I feel this squad has still plenty of room for development and I am really excited to be working with them for another four years.

"What's more, the organisation is in a much better place to support the squad as we look to become a top eight nation in world hockey."

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