Arlene Boyles to step down as Ireland Women’s hockey team manager this summer

Boyles took on the job in 2017 and guided Ireland to a silver medal at the World Cup and also oversaw Olympic qualification for the first time.

She joined the coaching staff as assistant coach in 2012 after being involved with Ireland A since 2010.

Boys told BBC Sport: “It wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly.

“But with everything that is going on in the world and with the natural stoppage going on in our programme I’d been thinking about it for a while.

“With sticks down and with time to look back it seemed like now was the easiest time to step away when the programme is in downtime.”

Boyles earned 123 caps with Ireland and announced her retirement after the World Cup in Australia in 2002.

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