Current Irish international Joe Brennan has taking over the coaching reins at Three Rock Rovers for the 2012/13 season, taking over from Arul Anthoni.
The Malaysian vacated the post three weeks ago, taking up the assistant coach role in his homeland, continuing his association with Paul Revington. But the Grange Road club moved quickly to secure Brennan who has been out of on-field action since the early part of this year due to injury and is looking to use his recuperation time to also boost his coaching experience.
He brings with him a wealth of knowledge, garnered over 69 international caps, notably in the back four in last August’s European championships in which Ireland finished fifth.
On the domestic front, he captained Glenanne for four seasons with whom he six Leinster league titles, three Irish Senior Cups, the All-Ireland league crown, the EuroHockey Trophy and helped his club reached the EHL KO16.
Speaking about the new appointment, he is looking forward to the new challenge ahead with a club who will also see the return of Mitch Darling after three years playing professionally in Europe with KHC Leuven (Belgium), Den Bosch and SCHC (both in the Dutch Hoofdklasse).
“With my knee injury stopping me playing for almost a season and it not looking likely that I will be back playing in the immediate future, it was only natural that I took a step into the coaching side of hockey, which is something I had always wanted to do,” Brennan said.
“Leaving all my friends in Glenanne was very difficult. I have played there for 22 years and we have had wonderful success there so to leave my best friends and family was a tough decision and I would like to thank all those members who have given so much to me and the club throughout the years.
“I am really excited about taking on the Three Rock role though. The balance of senior players and youth in the team was something that really attracted me to the role.
“The potential for the squad to achieve this year is really there and I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch with them. The return of Mitch Darling is also great news for any coach coming into a club.
“I have been very lucky with a strong management group around me in the club and really delighted to say that Brendan Parsons has come on board as assistant coach. Brendan has been a central figure in Glenanne successes throughout the years and its a really positive move for myself and Three Rock to have him on board.
“Myself and Brendan will look to bring technical and tactical knowledge with us as well as a winning mentality and hard working ethic which we look to come across in the Three Rock side.”
Three Rock will open their league campaign on September 15 against Brennan and Parsons’ former team mates in Glenanne Park.
