Hockey Round-Up: "If I was a second-hand car you wouldn't buy me, the mileage is too high," said Irish captain Linda Caulfield on Saturday on the announcement of her retirement from international hockey, the 28-year-old from Wexford bowing out with 151 caps to her name.
Caulfield made the "150 club" at the European Championships in August, joining former captains Rachael Kohler, Lynsey McVicker and her Hermes teammates Jenny Burke and Mary Logue as the only Irish players to reach, and pass, that milestone.
The Loreto Wexford "old girl", who will continue to play with Hermes, represented Ireland at every level, from the age of 14 when she was called up to the under-16 squad, making her senior debut under Riet Kuper against Russia in 1999. She succeeded McVicker as Irish captain in 2005 when the Ulster player retired.
"My years of Irish senior hockey have been an incredible experience," she said.
"I have laughed, cried, had moments of sheer exhilaration and real disappointments, but one thing is for sure, it was all character building. Although I am finished with international hockey now, I have memories and moments that will last a life time."
"There is a huge demand on players as we compete at the highest level against semi-professional teams," she said.
"It is excellent to see players committing more time to training, but it is very difficult to commit to the training schedule along with the demands of work. I have reached a point where I can no longer manage to do both at 100 per cent so unfortunately something has to give".
"Linda was great servant of Irish hockey," said coach Gene Muller.
"She is a fierce competitor and a fantastic role model. I have only coached her for a year, but in that short time I grew to respect her presence, dedication and ability. I am pleased that so many of the younger players got the opportunity to play in the same national team as her."
Caulfield's Hermes were the top scorers in the Leinster first division on Saturday, beating Genesis 7-0, with Nicola Evans getting a hat-trick, while Corinthian produced the comeback of the weekend, drawing 3-3 with Three Rock having trailed 3-0 at half-time.
UCD also fought back for a point against Old Alexandra, while Pembroke Wanderers made it two wins out of two when they beat Trinity 4-1.
