Olympic CEO has proven past

Men's Hockey/Weekend Preview: Stephen Martin's appointment as chief executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland brings a significant body of experience back to Ireland.

Martin's experience of international hockey is second to none and might be lost on this generation of players who may not have seen him play. Few in world hockey have been as successful as the former Irish captain. Much has been said about the commitment the current international players must put in, and with the World Cup qualifier next spring that is bound to increase.

In the 1980s, Martin was far ahead of his time. And in an interview with the Belfast Newsletter during the summer, he outlined what he had to do to earn an Olympic gold medal in Seoul and bronze in Lost Angeles.

"I'd have three sessions per day, an aerobic one before breakfast, a double at lunchtime with weights and speed stamina or whatever and then technical work in the evening with stick and ball," he said.

"That was Tuesday to Thursday with Friday for travel ahead of weekend squad sessions for either Ireland or Great Britain. Monday was largely rest and recovery day.

"It was all year round. When we went to places like India or Pakistan, the GB team had a travelling chef. We also had a sports psychologist, as well as the best analysis equipment which was around in those days. It was definitely leading-edge stuff at the time.

"Our coach, David Whitaker, is friendly with Sir Clive Woodward and when Woodward became England rugby coach, he talked to him about our methods and adopted a lot of the template which we had set.

"Undoubtedly we had a very good group of players. But talent is only worth five per cent and the rest is down to hard work and trying to perfect preparation."

That maybe taken on board by Glenanne and Pembroke, who meet in this weekend's Stephen Doyle final. Last week's league match between the two was one of the liveliest of the year. A repeat could only benefit the game.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Monday: Wright Carey Cup final - Kilkenny v Three Rock Rovers, Serpentine Ave, 1pm; Stephen Doyle Cup final - Pembroke Wanderers v Glenanne, Serpentine Ave, 2.30pm.