“This time round, we'll maybe go one further with TN Dragons” – David Harte recalls 2017 Hockey India League final ahead of 5th stint [Exclusive]

David Harte is one of the few overseas players picked for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League who have been part of the competition in the past. The Irish veteran, who guarded the goal for Mumbai Magicians and Dabang Mumbai, is now all set to display his goalkeeping skills for the Tamil Nadu Dragons.

Harte, one of the giants of Irish hockey, looks back at the Indian league with fond memories of the crowd, the stadiums and the "incredible" food en route to a fabulous second-place finish in the 2017 season.

During an exclusive interaction with Sportskeeda, the goalkeeping legend goes so far as to say that there is no place in the world quite like India when it comes to savoring the game of hockey.

"I look back so fondly, especially the last season with Dabang Mumbai, where we went all the way to the grand final, but unfortunately lost out narrowly in that final. Hopefully, we have an opportunity now, this time around, we'll maybe go one further with the Tamil Nadu Dragons," said David Harte, recalling the 1-4 loss against Kalinga Lancers in 2017.

David Harte states unequivocally that the Indian experience is unique and unrivalled for the game of hockey in terms of the stadiums and the "phenomenal" atmosphere.

"You look at the stadiums, the Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi, the one in Bhubaneswar, now, of course, in Rourkela, or Ranchi. I remember seeing that as a small cauldron of atmosphere and almost the feeling of the crowd around you, being on top of you, and at times not even being able to communicate with players 20 metres away from you because of the sound and the noise and everything," Harte explained.

"At times, I used to sit back and just have an opportunity to look around on the pitch at those times, thinking to myself, this is just phenomenal. Of course, the infrastructure, the financial support, and the backing from Hockey India and sponsors and support, yeah, it's like no other place in the world for hockey. The experience is unrivalled," said the 36-year-old double Olympian.

A memorable experience with the Mumbai side during the Hockey India League is one that Harte continues to cherish ahead of a fifth stint at the upcoming tournament.

"I had four fantastic years in Mumbai. My first season with the Mumbai Magicians and then three years after that with Dabang Mumbai. I can only look back with such fond memories. The crowd, the stadiums, the travel, the incredible food, the hotels," he revealed.

The Irish stalwart is keen to be part of the revamped Hockey India League alongside Kampong clubmate Jip Janssen. David Harte lauded the quality of not only the highly experienced Amit Rohidas but also the likes of Mohammed Raheel and Karthi Selvam, who are part of the Tamil Nadu Dragons lineup.

"The essence and the magic of the Hockey India League is that you have the opportunity to be teammates and to rub shoulders with these incredible players from India and from around the world. Playing alongside a teammate of mine from my club as well (Jip Janssen) makes things that bit more special because you get to experience it with somebody who is close to you already as a club teammate for the last number of years," David Harte stated.

"Also, the quality that the group has is incredible. The other goalkeepers I'm going to get to train with and the quality of Indian players like Raheel, Amit and Karthi, for example," said the County Cork-born custodian who has analyzed the Tamil Nadu Dragons team as only an expert can.

David Harte also carries lasting memories of former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who was once his teammate in the Mumbai Magicians side. A final embrace in the heat of Paris reflected the camaraderie between the two hockey greats even as Sreejesh played his last international tournament at the Yves-du-Manoir.

While Ireland bowed out in the group stage, the Indians went on to win a second successive bronze at the Olympics after having beaten the Irish team 2-0 in the group stage.

"We were actually on the same team and that's where I first met Sreejesh properly fo the first time. Everybody would recognise Sreejesh as a phenomenal goalkeeper and a leader of men. That was clear considering the presence he had on the pitch. He had that influence on all the players around him and more so when you played in India, the influence that he had on the crowd and the packed stadiums around him," David Harte observed.

"The way we finished up and embraced each other after the group game in the searing heat in Paris in the most recent Olympic Games brought forth the camaraderie and mutual respect. The best way that I can remember Sreejesh is with his massive beaming smile, although we were both overheated and way too hot to try and see those smiles after that game in Paris," he added with a grin.

"Knowing that daddy had pushed so hard" - David Harte moved to tears after win over NZ in presence of family in Paris

David Harte is proud of the NZ win in the presence of his family in Paris. - Source: David Harte on X

Ireland, who made their Olympic debut in 1908 when hockey was first introduced, had to wait a whopping 108 years to qualify again. Rio 2016 was therefore special for Irish hockey with David Harte and brother Conor playing a big role in getting the Irish to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Ireland earned their ticket to Rio via the 2014-15 Hockey World League Semifinals under the tutelage of India's present coach Craig Fulton. Standing for the national anthem at the Olympic Games alongside twin brother Conor Harte is a moment David can scarcely forget.

"Looking back, there was a bit of a golden period for us under the guidance of Craig Fulton as our coach. Walking out shoulder to shoulder and standing for the national anthem with my twin at the Olympic Games for the first time and being the captain of that side will be something that will stay with me for the rest of my life," said Harte in a tone that echoed his emotions.

David Harte is staunchly proud of Ireland's performance at the Paris Olympics where the team put up a great show against higher-ranked sides like Belgium, Australia and India.

"We can look back proudly. To be very honest, I think we pride ourselves as Irishmen being able to dig in deep, to really have deep defence and really put it up against the opposition. And that's what we did for those five (group) games culminating in that victory against New Zealand," said the two-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year.

The 2-1 win against New Zealand in the last group game of the Paris Olympics in the presence of his family also moved the Irishman to tears by his own admission.

"Looking back at the recent Paris Olympics and having my wife and two daughters in the crowd will be something also that I will cherish and forever hold dear. Because that's an indescribable feeling that only perhaps a parent will actually know," he declared.

"For me, to have tears in my eyes at the end of the last game against New Zealand, knowing that daddy had pushed so hard. For those 5 games and also the years before that, to get to that point and to enjoy that victory over NZ with my family and with my two daughters is definitely probably the best memory of all the years and all the experiences that I've had", David Harte disclosed.

The Tamil Nadu Dragons will open their Hockey India League campaign against Soorma Hockey Club on December 29 at Rourkela.