Irish hockey captain Linda Caulfield has announced here retirement from international hockey career after amassing 151 caps and wearing the green shirt for nine years.
Caulfield commented: 'There is a huge demand on players to increase their time on the pitch and the intensity of their training as we compete at the highest level against semi-pro teams.
'It is excellent to see players committing more time to training, as it is the only way we will enter the top 12 in the world, however, it is very difficult to commit to the training schedule along with the demands of work.
'I have reached a point where I can no longer manage to do both at 100% so unfortunately something has to give.'
Caulfield displayed a distinguished international hockey playing career, breaking into her first international squad at the tender age of 14 when she pulled on a green jersey for the Irish U16s before representing Ireland at U18, U21 and finally senior level.
Linda was also ever present on the South East Interprovincial teams at U16; U18 & U21 level before going on to represent Leinster at senior level.
Linda earned her first cap under coach Riet Kuper aged 20 against Russia in 1999 in the right back position, she went on to be a regular name on the team sheet and three years later earned her first of many milestones when she lined up against England to collect her 50th cap.
Linda was fast becoming a stalwart of the Irish team and moved into playing midfield, her commitment and passion for the game was evident both on and off the field and she duly clocked up her 100th Cap against China in 2005.
