HOCKEY:ARGUABLY THE most influential Irish player in modern times, Stephen Butler, has announced his retirement from Irish hockey.
The 30-year-old, along with Glenanne and Ireland colleague Graham Shaw, has bowed out of the Ireland squad as it faces into a European Championship next summer and a possible, if improbable, 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Both players have been central to Ireland’s campaigns over the past decade and Butler particularly has been a first choice in the Irish midfield since he was first capped 11 years ago at the age of 19. Since then he has participated in all of Ireland’s major tournaments at European and World level and became the country’s most capped player and greatest goal-scorer.
Astonishingly, he has an average score of almost a goal for every two international caps, or, 79 goals from 163 outings for Ireland, which includes five hat-tricks. He also scored twice against former Olympic champions Pakistan in a 2-2 draw and twice against Germany in Ireland’s first win against the former Olympic and World Champions.
A schoolboy player with Blackrock’s Newpark, Butler’s first major trophy was the All-Ireland School’s cup but he made his international debut when Ireland coach John Clarke capped him against Japan in Dublin in 1999.
In his debut match he played right back, but when selected for the European Nations Cup in Padua, and with less than 10 caps to his credit, he quickly replaced Robbie Taylor at centre midfield.
Defying any serious injury he has played in almost every international game since.
“Without question the biggest disappointment was not qualifying for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when we went to New Zealand. We’d really set our minds on that and coming so close, it was definitely the hardest,” he said yesterday. “Winning the European Trophy in Rome was a changing point for the team and personally a very good tournament (he won player of the tournament) and also winning the schools tournament with Newpark.
“It was a tough decision letting go, but I think it’s right. The commitment is so much I need to get on with other things in my life. We talked about London but it is just a step too far. Hockey is at another level now. I’ve loved it. It has been a great experience and I got great support from my parents all the way. But if it feels right, it is right and that’s how I feel.”
Shaw first played for Ireland in 2002 against Wales and went on to win 151 caps, most of them in midfield with Butler. He was also vice-captain of the team and like Butler will continue to play club hockey with Glenanne.
