THE Irish Hockey Union confirmed yesterday that "after an extensive and thorough review of the position" Cees Koppelaar has been re appointed as national coach. He will thus span a wider era than Jack Charlton in soccer circles.
Taking over from Ray Cantan in 1987, Koppelaar has been in charge of 110 Ireland matches, including the 1990 World Cup in Lahore. In his 100th game on the bench, the Dutchman directed the first Irish hockey defeat of his fellow countrymen in 24 meetings. There followed Ireland's fifth placing in the European Championship in Dublin last August.
Koppelaar's first assignment under his new contract will be the 14 nation World Cup preliminary tournament in Sardinia in October. Then comes a final qualifier in Malaysia and Koppelaar will hold his post if Ireland reach the 1998 World Cup in Utrecht.
To help in achieving these objectives, the IHU for the first time has appointed an assistant conch, former international John Clarke.
. Britain, twice in front through Calum Giles and Rob Thompson, ended up holding out for a 2-2 draw with Spain in the Olympic hockey qualifying tournament in Barcelona yesterday.
