Having missed out on qualification for the Tokyo Olympics, the Ireland men’s hockey team, including Ballinspittle native David Harte, approached the Paris games with enthusiasm and determination but were unlucky in Pool B, defeated 2-0 to defending Olympic champions, Belgium, last Saturday. David was in top form with a number of big saves that kept his side in the game. The squad lost 2-1 to Australia on Monday morning, however they still have a chance to make it to the knock-out stages. They will face India, New Zealand and Argentina in their upcoming games. Goalkeeper David Harte takes time before the Games to chat to Niamh Coughlan.
A seasoned Olympic athlete, having led his team to their first Irish Olympic hockey appearance in 2016, David’s expertise and knowledge helped shaped the 2024 squad. He was named World Goalkeeper of the year twice and has been a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Athletes’ Commission since 2017.
Throughout his career, he has captained Ireland at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and at the 2018 World Cup. He was named goalkeeper of the year by The International Hockey Federation (FIH) in 2015 and 2016. Currently, he plays for SV Kampong in Utrecht, Netherlands.
David’s hockey career began at Bandon Grammar School, which is where he first picked up a hockey stick. He started playing alongside his twin brother, Conor, and his sister, Emer, who both also play hockey internationally. Around the age of 13 or 14, he began to take hockey seriously. He explored other sports during this time, such as hurling and Gaelic football, but he ultimately chose to focus on hockey to progress in the sport from an early stage.
David progressed through all the age groups at Bandon Grammar School. This progression led him to join the Irish national squads for under-16s, under-18s, and under-21s. He earned his first senior cap at the age of 18 in 2006.
After finishing school, David joined Cork Harlequin’s, where he looked up to Wes Bateman, also a goalkeeper. Although he initially tried playing outfield, experimenting in different positions, he ultimately discovered a passion for being in goal. “You can jump, dive, slide, use your legs – it was more of what I needed from the sport”.
Nigel Henderson also had a massive impact on David’s early career, with his unmatched mental attitude and dedication to the game. “Beyond the hockey world, I’ve always admired Roger Federer for his resilience, poise and grace on the court,” David says.
David is now based in Utrecht, Netherlands, where he has been playing with SV Kampong since 2012. During his time with Kampong, he has won two European Club Titles and was a runner-up in Europe this year after Kampong claimed their first Dutch title in six seasons. Kampong is one of the largest multi-sport clubs in the Netherlands and one of the largest hockey clubs in the world.
“I have always been goal-oriented, focusing on achieving something or pushing myself to the next level. I earned my first cap at 18, and then, around 19 or 20, I had an opportunity to play abroad in Holland. But my father insisted I finish my education first. He once said: ‘You’re not going to do that until you get your qualification,’ or ‘your piece of paper,’ as he described it. And he was probably right”.
David completed his studies at Dublin City University (DCU), earning a Bachelor of Education in Physical education and biology. This qualification also allowed him to teach abroad in Holland in international schools during the early years of his hockey career. “It’s rare to find a job that combines both your passions, but somehow I’ve managed to do that.” In 2010, he moved to Utrecht, where he has been ever since. Although his professional sporting career soon took off, teaching is something he can always return to in the future.
“Moving to Holland as an Irish hockey player was daunting at the beginning. Back then, we were seen as category C players, which meant I had to prove myself. I had a few tough knocks over the years regarding results and whatnot. I thought maybe one season would be it for me, but now, as of September this year, it will be my fifteenth season playing. That gives you an idea of the rollercoaster of highs and lows I’ve experienced. Eventually, you reach a level of high-performance that is very different from the Irish environment. The Dutch can be a lot more blunt and direct, which is both good and sometimes harsh. It makes you more resilient and pushes you forward.”
Since moving to Utrecht, David has picked up Dutch fluently, by immersing himself in the culture and sports environment. “I’m the only foreign player on my team at the moment, so I’m grateful I was able to adapt so quickly. Although I’m currently in the Olympic village in Paris, my Leaving Cert French is really being tested!”
The team trains five to six times a week on the pitch, plus two or three gym sessions on top of that. Saturdays are usually free, while Sundays are reserved for games. In the lead up to the Olympics, the training schedules have intensified, focusing on accuracy and refining the small details. “Being in the Olympic village is a bit different; we train nearly every day with a few practice games against other countries thrown into the mix.”
David says he’ll be approaching the Paris games a little differently from the Rio games back in 2016. “That comes with a good bit of experience, not just age. Having gone through Rio, I realised afterward how we could have done things differently. The Olympics are the pinnacle of any sportsman or sportswoman’s career, but I think it’s important not to put it too high up on a pedestal. At the end of the day, you’re playing the same sport, with the same size goals and the same ball. It’s easy to get lost in the Olympic circus.
Last time, I was captain, so I had a lot more responsibilities and off-pitch distractions such as interviews, photo, and video shoots. Now, I am in a position to focus more on the game itself. We arrived here a few days early, so it’s been good to have the opportunity to settle in and get everything sorted with the lads.”
Outside of hockey, David is a full-time dad to two young girls, Georgia and Ava. “I spend most of my free time with them as I have the luxury to do so. Life is rather sociable and flexible when I’m not playing sports. We travel a lot as a family, which has been great for all of us, though I don’t get home to Kinsale as often as we’d like due to training schedules and commitments. David’s wife, Lyn, is from Belfast, so they aim to split their trips home between the north and south of Ireland. “It’ll be phenomenal to have them come over here to Paris to see the games. Having them there in the crowd will be very special.”
