Ireland National Team Director John Cavanaugh, appointed three coaches who will assist Ireland Head Coach Jeff Dowling at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague next May, and issued a “last call” for players who want to tryout at the Team selection camp in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Oct. 29-31.
Dan Leidl (Westover, WV), who has extensive experience as a coach and player for Ireland teams, will assist Dowling on defense. Tom Howe (Rutland, MA), once a teammate of Dowling,will assist on offense, and Geoff (Abe) Conn (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) will round out the staff as assistant coach for video. All three are members of the Irish Lacrosse Foundation.
Dan Leidl’s past experience with Ireland lacrosse includes playing for the men’s national team at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Championships, serving as head coach of the 2008 and 2009 women’s national team at the European Championships and World Cup, and serving as an assistant coach for Ireland’s last national indoor team which competed at the World Indoor Championships in Canada. “Dan was an obvious choice,” said Dowling. “His experience and his passion for the game coupled with his sports psychology background will be a huge benefit.”
Howe, who has coached hockey and lacrosse for 22 years, was an assistant coach with the Boston Blazers professional indoor team in 2008-09, and coach of the New England Select Lacrosse League U15 team this year. “He has a diverse background as a player and a coach” said Dowling, “and is an
extremely knowledegable and dedicated individual.
“Like Dan and Tom, Geoff is very passionate and very knowledgeable about lacrosse, and has a keen eye for the small details that can help win games.”
Players seeking information or a registration form for the selection camp later this month should contact John Cavanaugh at JTCAV@aol.com or John Frame at irishboxlax@gmail.com.
