Hockey star Katie Mullan hoping Ireland can qualify for Olympic Games in 2024

KATIE MULLAN remembers the magic of Ireland’s Hockey World Cup final appearance in London in 2018.

But the Portstewart native knew that was never going to be the pinnacle.

Mullan revealed: “It definitely was a highlight but I think you start a journey with Ireland and the Olympics becomes a dream very early on.

“So even though we won that silver medal and it was amazing, what we’ve achieved for the sport and the legacy we created . . . we always wanted to break down that barrier, to be the first team to go to the Olympics.

“So Tokyo was definitely a highlight.”

But restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic meant those Games in Japan also lacked something.

Mullan said: “That was probably the one thing a lot of us felt was challenging for our families, our friends. We all have such incredible support networks and they go through numerous tough days with you and low points and they’re always there.

“And the day we qualified for the Olympics in Donnybrook, I remember the excitement of knowing our families were going to come and enjoy the Olympic experience.

“When that was sort of taken from us, it was definitely one taint on the Olympic experience. So hopefully we can give them another opportunity.”

It is on Mullan’s mind this week as the team head for Monchengladbach in Germany for the European Championships, which are the next step on the road to Paris.

Come in the top six of the eight-team event and Ireland are guaranteed a spot in one of the two Olympic qualifying tournaments in January.

Finish outside the top six and there is a back door to the qualifiers. But, for now, the focus is on Germany.

It is why Mullan’s parents Catherine and Brian will be in Monchengladbach, along with so many other families.

Mullan’s team-mate Róisín Upton added: “I played with Katie since we were 15 and our families are great friends so their absence was felt for sure.

“It probably is extra motivation that we want to get to Paris — we want them to be with us.”

Mullan added: “That’s the beauty of hockey. Our support networks are brilliant.

“They often all travel together, so they’ve formed their own bond.

“The parents’ WhatsApp group is more active than our WhatsApp group.”

NOT GETTING CARRIED AWAY

The flights to Germany are booked. If Ireland go well, flights to either China or Spain for January’s Olympic qualifiers will also be confirmed.

But asked if anyone has got in early and snagged accommodation for Paris next year, Mullan instantly replies: “No.”

There is a lot of work to be done before then.

She continued: “One competition at a time, we’ve a very exciting year ahead for this group and the Europeans is the next big chapter.

“And we’ll go very quickly back to the…