Harte calls time on incredible career in green

David Harte has officially announced his decision to retire from international hockey after almost 20-years in the Irish net, encompassing two Olympic Games and a EuroHockey Championship bronze.

Speaking about the decision, the 2016 EHL winner with SV Kampong said: “After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that the time is right to step away from international hockey.

“I earned my first senior cap for Ireland back in 2006, and what followed has been a journey I could never have imagined. Pulling on the green jersey and representing my country has been the greatest honour of my career, and one I never once took for granted.

“Over the years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have competed on some of the biggest stages in our sport — European Championships, a World Cup and Olympic Games.

“This was made even more special doing so shoulder-to-shoulder with my twin brother Conor. I’m proud of how far Irish men’s hockey has come during that time and hopeful that I have played a small part in that progress.

“While this chapter comes to an end, my love for the game remains as strong as ever. I leave competing internationally with immense pride, lifelong memories, and deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent Hockey Ireland for so many years.

Thank you for everything — forever grateful, forever proud.

Having come up through the ranks of Bandon Grammar School and Cork Harlequins, David Harte made his Ireland Senior International debut in August 2006 at the age of 18 in a Celtic Cup match against France, beginning an incredible international career that spanned 247 caps.

Harte went on to become one of Ireland’s most important and influential hockey figures, manning the Irish net through the team’s biggest moments of the modern era.

One of just two players to represent Ireland at two Olympic Games, Rio 2016 and Paris 2024, he captained the side during their historic bronze medal at the 2015 EuroHockey Championships in London.

Alongside his team accolades, Harte was also recognised as FIH World Goalkeeper of the Year on two occasions, winning the award in 2015 and 2016.

He is playing this season in the German Bundesliga with Uhlenhorst Mülheim.

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