Frances Lonergan retires from international hockey 

Frances Lonergan has announced her retirement from international hockey. Lonergan, a winner of the International Player of the Year award at the Scottish Hockey Awards, was part of the Scotland squads that competed at Nations Cup in Chile and won the EuroHockey Qualifier tournament in Glasgow. 

The dedicated player reached the decision over Christmas due to an injury and a shift of focus on work commitments after working hard to qualify as a doctor last year. Fran explained, “Work is the big one, I’ve worked hard to become a doctor and I absolutely love my job. I also have a lot of rehab to do on my hip and I’m a 100% commitment type of person, I don’t do things in halves – it’s hard to balance work with the 100% commitment to rehab and getting back to playing at international level. I gave it a lot of thought over Christmas and made my decision.” 

The influential Fran played a lot of games for Scotland, far more than the 16 official caps to her name. 16 is Fran’s lucky number however, and her shirt number, so it seems the perfect number of caps to finish on.  

Fran absolutely loves hockey and will still play domestic hockey for her club. She said, “Hockey has given me so much and I’ve got so much to give back. I enjoy the sport so much and all my friends have been met through hockey. I think if there’s one message I’d like to give is that hockey is such an amazing sport for fun, community, and making best friends. I’ll always be involved in hockey.” 

100% commitment has been the story of Fran’s international career. “I think my career can be described as graft and grit,” she said, “it’s been resilience and fight since I played the youths for Scotland.” Fran was always exciting at youth level for her excellent basic skills, work-rate and determination, but Fran herself never realised how far she could go. Fran explained, “I remember playing B Division with Scotland U21s and thinking I’d played my last game. Lots of people had been called up to the senior squad, but I hadn’t, so I played that tournament and just enjoyed it thinking that was where it was going to end for me. I just had a lot of fun. Then, when I least expected it, I was asked to join the seniors.” 

Following Scotland’s appearance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 new blood was injected into the Scotland Women’s National Team, and Fran was one of the players added to the squad. Fran recalled, “Shep (Gordon Shepherd) called me up and as excited as I was it was daunting stepping up from the juniors. There was a lot more going on at that level, and a lot more expectation. I had the attitude of just trying my best and then see what happens.” 

The Glasgow National Hockey Centre was the venue for Fran’s first cap for Scotland women where she played three back-to-back games against Ireland in a test series. A debut is always is a huge occasion for a player and for Fran it was a memorable day. Fran said, “It was amazing getting my first cap in Glasgow. All my family and friends were there and they were so delighted for me. I spent so much time trying to get there so to get my debut was amazing. I never ever tired of singing the national anthem, and I remember singing it in disbelief as I’d made peace with the prospect of me finishing my journey with the U21s. Every time I sang the national anthem since I’ve been so grateful to do it. Playing hockey for Scotland is such a privilege.”  

Neil Menzies was the interim coach that gave Fran her first caps in the series against Ireland and then against Italy, and was a coach who had worked with her through the Scotland youths and knew her qualities. When a new coaching regime was appointed for the squad Fran found it difficult to find a place in the team with the new direction, and the next few years were difficult for Lonergan. It was six years before she’d earn another Scotland cap. Fran reflected,  “ Sometimes you fit with the way the team is playing and sometimes you don’t, and I had a difficult three years before I started to get test games again when Chris Duncan came in as head coach. I stuck at it and wouldn’t stop trying. I’m so grateful to my team mates as the squad got me through the difficult times, and they gave me the base to help me keep putting the work in.” 

Fran became a key player for Scotland under Chris Duncan and a senior member of the squad. She became a key contributor on and off the field, with a supremely upbeat personality and an approachability that was helpful to young players in the squad. Fran found her feet in the team and took advantage of all the support team and feedback available to her to improve. Not only did Fran make inroads in the Scotland team, she was also studying to be a doctor at the same time and successfully balanced both priorities. She said, “I’m so glad that I didn’t walk away because the rewards were so amazing. I and was constantly travelling between Glasgow and Aberdeen for hockey and studies. It probably shows who I am, if I want something I’ll just keep going until I get it. I’ll make every sacrifice it takes to make it happen. There’s been so many people who have helped me along the way, and I probably get the attitude from my mum.”  

Fran’s next cap finally came in Paris, and it was crowned by a goal for Scotland. Fran described it in her typical fashion, “I was just floating about the D! I picked up the ball and got it on target. I loved this trip for the hockey and the games but I also got to play with so many of my friends- Jenny, Jika, Emily and Millie to name a few.” 

In August 2024 Scottish Hockey hosted the women’s EuroHockey Championship Qualifier at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, and the tournament is one of Fran’s top memories from playing in a Scotland jersey. Scotland won the tournament to qualify for the EuroHockey Championship in front of a full house in Glasgow. Lonergan recalled the experience, “I have brilliant memories from that tournament. Playing at home with all my family watching, and the amazing atmosphere, made it so lovely to be part of. Having gone through the difficult times of not playing, that tournament made it worth it. I had an injury going into the tournament, and thought I might miss it, but I worked hard to be fit and I’m so grateful I was part of it. It’s one of the top memories I have.”  

The next big tournament was Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile. Scotland finished fifth, above ranking, and delivered some notable performances and results in Chile. Fran recalled, “Every opportunity I had to play for Scotland was an honour. To be able to play in Chile at such a high level was an incredible experience. It was amazing to be part of the high standard of hockey but, the best part of the trip is the time I got to spend with the great group of people.” 

Scottish Hockey awards
7th February 2025

Fran was also honoured as being voted International Player of the Year at the Scottish Hockey awards – shortlisted by players and voted for by the public. She said, “It was an honour to be nominated because it was my teammates that did it. That meant a lot to me. I’m told I bring a vibe to the team and training so that’s probably part of why they did it. Then to win was truly unbelievable. It was lovely to be recognised. I’m a team player who did my best for the team, and it’s so nice to be honoured for that.” 

Scotland Women’s Head Coach Chris Duncan paid tribute, saying, “Fran has shown the character that displays what it is to be a Scotland player. Perseverance, belief, dedication and passion, not just in her hockey, but in her career endeavours. She has been a joy in our squad, a brilliant source of energy, and we are delighted to have been a part of her journey and will miss her. She is a wonderful role model, and has created a legacy.”

Fran shared some thank you’s, saying, “I want to thank Kelly Fillingham who played a big part in me getting to where I needed to be – we spent many hours on the pitch working together. Thank you to Chris Duncan for the opportunities and to all the support staff who helped bring the best out of me. I also want to say a huge thank you to all the Scottish Hockey staff in the office – you guys don’t get enough credit for what you do. 

“My family have been so amazing for me throughout all my hockey life. Thanks to my Mum, Dad, Patrick, John-Joe, Julie, Matthew, Sarah and Annie. They have supported everything from Juniors all the way to the Seniors, and I wouldn’t have managed anything without them. I’m so grateful for them. 

“My biggest influence will forever be Derek Forsyth. His constant support, guidance and friendship taught me a lot both on and off the pitch. I wish he could have been there for some of the highlights that wouldn’t have happened without him.“ 

Congratulations to Fran Lonergan from all at Scottish Hockey for a great Scotland career. 

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