Michael Darling (field hockey)
{{short description|Ireland men's hockey international}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox field hockey player
| name = Michael Darling
| full_name = Michael R. Darling
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|7|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| height = 170cm
| weight = 65kg
| position = Forward
| youthyears1 = 199x–2000
| youthclubs1 = Rathgar Junior School
| youthyears2 = 1996–2005
| youthclubs2 = Three Rock Rovers
| youthyears3 = 200x–200x
| youthclubs3 = Wesley College
| years1 = 2005–2009
| clubs1 = Three Rock Rovers
| years2 = 2009–2010
| clubs2 = KHC Leuven
| years3 = 2010–2011
| clubs3 = HC Den Bosch
| years4 = 2011–2012
| clubs4 = SCHC
| years5 = 2012–2015
| clubs5 = Three Rock Rovers
| years6 = 2015–2016
| clubs6 = HC Rotterdam
| years7 = 2016–
| clubs7 = Three Rock Rovers
| nationalyears1 = 2006–2018
| nationalteam1 = Ireland
| nationalcaps1 = 183
| nationalgoals1 = 51
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry|{{fh|Ireland}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|EuroHockey Championships}}
{{MedalBronze|2015 London| }}
}}
Michael Darling (born 3 July 1988), also referred to as Mitch Darling, is a former Ireland men's field hockey international and Rio 2016 Olympian. Between 2006 and 2018 Darling made 183 appearances and scored 51 goals for Ireland. He was a member of the Ireland team that won the bronze medal at the 2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship. He also represented Ireland at the 2016 Summer Olympics and at the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup. At club level, Darling has won the Irish Senior Cup with Three Rock Rovers. He also played for Rovers in the Euro Hockey League.
Early years, family and education
Darling is from Sandyford in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown.{{cite web|url=https://dublingazette.com/sport/olympic-hero-darling-goes-forth-into-irish-retirement/|title=Olympic hero Darling goes forth into Irish retirement|publisher=dublingazette.com|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=7 February 2019}} He is the son of Dr. Michael Darling and his wife, Fiona. He has three siblings – two brothers, Jonny and Chris, and a sister, Katie. Darling is married to Erika.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10035695/|title=Dr Michael Darling RIP|publisher=www.hockey.ie|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=23 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/mitch-darling-ireland-hockey-international-retirement-4477471-Feb2019/
|title=183 caps later, Ireland's Darling announces retirement from international hockey|publisher=www.the42.ie|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=5 February 2019}} He was educated at Rathgar Junior School, where in 2000 he captained the boys field hockey team,{{cite web|url=https://www.rathgarjuniorschool.ie/2018/08/06/congratulations-to-anna-oflanagan-world-cup-silver-for-rjs-hero/|title=Congratulations to Anna O'Flanagan – World Cup Silver for RJS Hero|publisher=www.rathgarjuniorschool.ie|accessdate=21 August 2018|date=6 August 2018}} and at Wesley College.{{cite web|url=https://www.wesleycollege.ie/Sport/Past-Pupils/|title=Past Pupils|publisher=www.wesleycollege.ie|accessdate=13 May 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://dublingazette.com/uncategorized/wesley-trio-in-for-rio/|title=Wesley trio in for Rio|publisher=dublingazette.com|date=14 July 2016|accessdate=15 May 2019}} Between 2006 and 2009 he attended University College Dublin where he became a Bachelor of Civil Law. Between 2011 and 2012 he attended Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam where he completed his master's in International Business Law. Between 2013 and 2015 he completed his legal studies with the Law Society of Ireland.{{cite news|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-darling-8aa35589/|title=Mitch Darling|publisher=www.linkedin.com|accessdate=25 July 2019}}
Domestic teams
=Wesley College=
In 2005 Darling scored the only goal in a 1–0 win as Wesley College defeated a St. Andrew's College team featuring Alan Sothern and David Fitzgerald in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/darling-strikes-for-wesley-1.421933|title=Darling strikes for Wesley|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=23 July 2019|date=10 March 2005}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/schools-hockey-darlings-delight-25994101.html|title=Darling's delight|publisher=www.independent.ie|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=10 March 2005}} He also helped Wesley win the All Ireland Schoolboys Hockey Championship.{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2016/08/olympic-biographies-mitch-darling/#.XToQuPZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402052710/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2016/08/olympic-biographies-mitch-darling/#.XToQuPZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 April 2018|title=Olympic biographies – Mitch Darling|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=3 August 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/11/mens-world-cup-ireland-by-the-numbers/#.XBvV5vZ2ty0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128145020/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/11/mens-world-cup-ireland-by-the-numbers/#.XBvV5vZ2ty0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 November 2018|title=Men's World Cup – Ireland by the numbers|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=20 December 2018|date=26 November 2018}}
After becoming an Ireland international, Darling returned to Wesley as a coach.{{cite news|url=http://hookhockey.blogspot.com/2009/03/minor-schoolboy-final-st-andrews-3.html|title=Minor Schoolboy final: St Andrew's 3 Wesley College 2 aet|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=4 March 2009}}
=Three Rock Rovers=
Darling began playing for Three Rock Rovers at under-8 level.{{cite news|url=http://www.threerockrovershc.com/news/the-pinnacle-of-rovers-representing-mitch-darling-1646077.html|title=The Pinnacle of Rovers Representing - Our very own Mitch Darling is going to Rio!|publisher=www.threerockrovershc.com|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=15 July 2016}} Together with Kyle Good, Darling was a member of the Rovers team that won the 2008 All-Ireland Club Championship and played in the 2008–09 Euro Hockey League.{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/03/blakeney-attempts-to-make-some-lasting-ehl-memories/#.XTxrd_ZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407004715/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/03/blakeney-attempts-to-make-some-lasting-ehl-memories/#.XTxrd_ZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 April 2018|title=Blakeney attempts to make some lasting EHL memories|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=30 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2016/08/olympic-biographies-kyle-good/#.XNm98_ZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402043441/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2016/08/olympic-biographies-kyle-good/#.XNm98_ZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 April 2018|title=Olympic biographies – Kyle Good|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=13 May 2019|date=3 August 2016}} Darling was also a member of the Rovers teams that won the Irish Senior Cup in 2013–14, 2017–18 and 2018–19.{{cite news|url=http://www.threerockrovershc.com/news/irish-senior-cup-winners-1167149.html|title=Irish Senior Cup Winners!!!!|publisher=www.threerockrovershc.com|date=23 February 2014|accessdate=3 December 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1402252/5000/|title=Pembroke Wanderers v Three Rock Rovers - Irish Men's Senior Cup Final Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|date=23 February 2014|accessdate=3 December 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hockey/2018/0408/953029-three-rock-rovers-storm-to-mens-irish-senior-cup-glory/|title=Three Rock Rovers storm to men's Irish Senior Cup glory|accessdate=9 April 2018|publisher=www.rte.ie|date=8 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/05/super-sixth-trophy-for-rovers-who-pay-tribute-to-denhams-influence/#.XQqFCPZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515200913/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/05/super-sixth-trophy-for-rovers-who-pay-tribute-to-denhams-influence/#.XQqFCPZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=15 May 2019|title=Super sixth trophy for Rovers who pay tribute to Denham's influence|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=19 June 2019|date=12 May 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/hockey/goals-dry-up-at-wrong-time-as-garvey-fall-in-second-final-38104365.html|title=Goals dry up at wrong time as Garvey fall in second final|publisher=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk|accessdate=19 June 2019|date=13 May 2019}} Between 2017 and 2019 he also helped Rovers win the EY Champions Trophy on three successive occasions.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10023244/|title=Three Rock Rovers Win EY Champions Trophy|publisher=www.hockey.ie|accessdate=28 November 2018|date=30 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/04/darling-delights-rovers-to-land-ey-champions-trophy-title/#.W_8On_Z2ty0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929060034/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/04/darling-delights-rovers-to-land-ey-champions-trophy-title/#.W_8On_Z2ty0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=29 September 2017|title=Darling delights Rovers to land EY Champions Trophy title|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=28 November 2018|date=30 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/05/hosking-pounces-as-rovers-retain-ey-champions-trophy-with-yet-more-last-minute-drama/#.W_8K9vZ2ty0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510225227/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/05/hosking-pounces-as-rovers-retain-ey-champions-trophy-with-yet-more-last-minute-drama/#.W_8K9vZ2ty0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=10 May 2018|title=Hosking pounces as Rovers retain EY Champions Trophy with yet more last minute drama|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=28 November 2018|date=6 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/three-rock-rovers-retain-ey-champions-trophy-1.3881930|title=Three Rock Rovers retain EY Champions Trophy|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=28 July 2019|date=5 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/05/rovers-winning-streak-continues-with-third-successive-ey-champs-trophy/#.XT3CjfZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081809/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/05/rovers-winning-streak-continues-with-third-successive-ey-champs-trophy/#.XT3CjfZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=8 May 2019|title=Rovers winning streak continues with third successive EY Champs Trophy|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=28 July 2019|date=5 May 2019}} He also played for Rovers in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 Euro Hockey Leagues.{{cite web|url=https://ehlhockey.tv/match/201718-ko16-saint-german-v-three-rock-rovers/|title=2017/18 - KO16 - Saint German v Three Rock Rovers - EHL |publisher=ehlhockey.tv|accessdate=20 April 2019|date=31 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/10/rovers-run-up-biggest-irish-win-in-the-ehl/#.XLyOxvZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007152114/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/10/rovers-run-up-biggest-irish-win-in-the-ehl/#.XLyOxvZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 October 2018|title=Rovers run up biggest Irish win in the EHL|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=21 April 2019|date=5 October 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/three-rock-rovers-fight-back-twice-before-dragons-roar-home-1.3863737|title=Three Rock Rovers fight back twice before Dragons roar home|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=20 April 2019|date=17 April 2019}}
=KHC Leuven=
During the 2008–09 Euro Hockey League, Darling played for Three Rock Rovers against KHC Leuven. The 2009–10 season subsequently saw him invited to play for the Men's Belgian Hockey League team.{{cite web|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2010/08/sothern-joins-irish-exodus-to-europe/#.XPf5pPZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904090503/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2010/08/sothern-joins-irish-exodus-to-europe/#.XPf5pPZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 September 2010|title=Sothern joins Irish exodus to Europe|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=5 June 2019|date=30 August 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.fih.ch/news/irish-squad-for-bdo-world-cup-qualifier-announced/|title=Irish squad for BDO World Cup Qualifier announced|publisher=www.fih.ch|accessdate=10 May 2019|date=22 October 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/8360820.stm|title=Ireland defeat Chile in qualifier|publisher=news.bbc.co.uk|accessdate=10 July 2019|date=15 November 2009}}
=Hoofdklasse=
Darling has also played for HC Den Bosch, SCHC and HC Rotterdam in the Hoofdklasse.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/mitch-darling-retires-from-the-men-s-international-hockey-team-1.3782754|title=Mitch Darling retires from the men's international hockey team|publisher=www.irishtimes.com|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=5 February 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/02/darling-retires-after-sparkling-irish-career/#.XTxpRvZFxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210183746/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2019/02/darling-retires-after-sparkling-irish-career/#.XTxpRvZFxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=10 February 2019|title=Darling retires after sparkling Irish career|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=5 February 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10046038/|title=Get To Know The Green Machine|publisher=www.hockey.ie|accessdate=11 December 2018|date=26 November 2018}} His teammates at HC Den Bosch included Alan Sothern.
Ireland international
Between 2006 and 2018 Darling made 183 senior appearances and scored 51 goals for Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/irish-hockey-olympian-mitch-darling-announces-retirement-902327.html|title=Irish hockey Olympian Mitch Darling announces retirement|publisher=www.irishexaminer.com|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=5 February 2019}}{{cite web |title=Mitch Darling Retires From International Hockey |url=http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10048167/|publisher=www.hockey.ie|accessdate=6 February 2019|date=5 February 2019}} He made his senior international debut in July 2006 against England at the age of 18. He had previously represented Ireland at Under-18 level.{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/D0602070/5000/1/|title=Ireland v England - U18 Hockey International Photos|publisher=www.sportsfile.com|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=14 February 2006}} Darling was a member of the Ireland team that won the 2009 Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hockey/2009/0723/252355-ireland_hockey/|title=Irish men's hockey squad named|publisher=www.rte.ie|accessdate=29 July 2019|date=23 July 2009}} He also helped Ireland win Men's FIH Hockey World League tournaments in 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2012/09/ireland-top-world-league-with-swedish-romp/comment-page-1/#.XURNG25Fxy0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228215911/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2012/09/ireland-top-world-league-with-swedish-romp/comment-page-1/#.XURNG25Fxy0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 February 2020|title=Ireland top World League pool with Swedish romp|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=2 August 2019|date=9 September 2012}} and 2015.{{cite news|url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/03/ireland-add-gold-to-olympic-progression-as-odonoghue-shoots-down-austria/#.XBwMYvZ2ty0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528123459/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/03/ireland-add-gold-to-olympic-progression-as-odonoghue-shoots-down-austria/#.XBwMYvZ2ty0|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 May 2017|title=Ireland add gold to Olympic progression as O'Donoghue shoots down Austria|publisher=www.hookhockey.com|accessdate=20 December 2015|date=9 March 2015}} Darling made his 150th senior Ireland appearance at the 2014–15 Men's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/hockey/ireland-1-0-pakistan-birthday-boy-mitch-dreaming-of-rio-31350339.html|title=Ireland 1-0 Pakistan: Birthday boy Mitch dreaming of Rio|publisher=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk|accessdate=27 July 2019|date=4 July 2015}}
He was a member of the Ireland team that won the bronze medal at the 2015 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship. He also represented Ireland at the 2016 Summer Olympics and at the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup. He made his last senior appearance for Ireland at the World Cup against England.
{{small|Source:{{cite news|url=https://tms.fih.ch/people/2083|title=Michael Darling – Competitions as an Athlete|publisher=tms.fih.ch|accessdate=25 July 2019}}}}
Solicitor
Between 2013 and 2018 Darling worked as a trainee solicitor/solicitor with A&L Goodbody. His colleagues at A&L Goodbody included Cecelia Joyce. Since 2018 he has worked for Allied Irish Banks as part of their corporate legal team.{{cite news|url=https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/Top-Stories/cecelia-joyce/|title=Meet the lawyer who opens the batting for Ireland|publisher=www.lawsociety.ie|accessdate=25 July 2019|date=6 April 2018 }}
Honours
- Men's EuroHockey Nations Trophy
- Winners: 2009
- Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 1
- Winners: 2012 Cardiff
- Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 2
- Winners: 2015 San Diego
- Runners up: 2013 New Delhi
- Men's Hockey Champions Challenge II
- Runners up: 2009
- Men's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier
- Runners up: 2012
- Men's Hockey Investec Cup
- Runners up: 2014
- Men's Irish Hockey League
- Runners Up: 2017–18, 2018–19: 2
- EY Champions Trophy
- Winners: 2017, 2018, 2019: 3
- Irish Senior Cup
- Winners: 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19: 3
- All Ireland Schoolboys Hockey Championship
- Winners: ?
- Leinster Schools Senior Cup
- Winners: 2005: 2
References
{{reflist}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Ireland squads
|bg=green
|fg=white
|list1=
{{Ireland FH Squad 2011 EuroHockey Nations Championship}}
{{Ireland FH Squad 2013 EuroHockey Nations Championship}}
{{Ireland FH Squad 2015 EuroHockey Nations Championship}}
{{Ireland FH Squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Ireland FH Squad 2018 World Cup}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Darling, Michael}}
Category:Irish male field hockey players
Category:Ireland international men's field hockey players
Category:Olympic field hockey players for Ireland
Category:Field hockey players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:2018 Men's Hockey World Cup players
Category:Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club players
Category:Men's Irish Hockey League players
Category:Men's Hoofdklasse Hockey players
Category:Field hockey players from County Dublin
Category:Male field hockey forwards
Category:Irish expatriate field hockey players
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Irish field hockey coaches
Category:Sportspeople from Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown
Category:Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam alumni
Category:Alumni of University College Dublin
Category:People educated at Wesley College, Dublin