Success for King's Park hockey coach

John Gray, a P6 teacher at King’s Park Primary School has been named the Ulster Hockey Union Player of the Year.

The Lisnagarvey defender was also shortlisted for the Irish Player of the Year award, making the final four.

He said: “I’m surprised I won because I’m 34 now and the oldest one on the team. Personally, it’s a great honour and I never thought I would win it.”

John has had an excellent season, scoring a more than impressive 13 goals from left-back as Lisnagarvey powered their way to the final of the All-Ireland Cup, a run which included beating Dublin’s Corinthians 6-5 after extra time in a dramatic semi-final.

Although they lost the final, it can still be considered a very successful All-Ireland campaign for the club.

This season was his 18th year with the club, during which time he has won 10 All-Ireland titles and played in various European competitions in Switzerland, Austria and Spain.

John is originally from Lisburn but now lives in Belfast and has been teaching in Lurgan for the last seven years, and has been coaching the P5-7 pupils hockey team, hoping to create a few stars of tomorrow.