WOMEN'S HOCKEY ROUND-UP:FOUR MONTHS ahead of the World Cup Qualifier in Chile, Irish coach Gene Muller has named a squad of 24 who will begin preparations for the tournament after Christmas with a series of training camps and internationals against as yet unnamed opposition.
Four uncapped players have been included in the squad, which must be reduced to 18 for the qualifier. Railway Union goalkeeper Helen Stevenson is rewarded for her exceptional form as she replaces the unavailable Emma Gray.
Hermes teenager Niamh Atcheler has also received a call-up, as have Nicci Daly, who joined Loreto from Glenanne during the summer, and UCC’s Audrey O’Flynn.
Four of the squad play outside Ireland: Emma Clarke (Leicester), Shirley McCay and Alex Speers (both at Dragons of Belgium) and Megan Frazer, cousin of Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson, who is on a sports scholarship at the University of Maryland.
The Railway and Loreto contingent in the squad, seven in all, will meet in a crucial Leinster League game tomorrow, three days after both sides made it seven wins out seven with comfortable victories.
Railway beat Trinity 5-0, with Kate Dillon and Nikki Evans scoring two apiece, while Loreto trounced Glenanne 7-0. Nikki Symmons got a hat-trick.
Something, then, has to give at Park Avenue, with third-placed Hermes, five points behind the leaders, hoping to take advantage if they can beat Old Alexandra at Milltown.
Pembroke Wanderers, second from bottom of the table, host Trinity at Serpentine Avenue.
IRISH TRAINING SQUAD:R Mulligan, E Stewart (both Armagh), L Barr, B Cleland (both Ballymoney), M Goode (Bray), E Cregan, C Sargent (both Cork Harlequins), S McCay, A Speers (both Dragons, Belgium), N Atcheler (Hermes), E Clarke (Leicester), L Colvin, N Daly, L Healy, N Small, N Symmons (all Loreto), R Flinn (Old Alexandra), M Harvey (Pegasus), E Smyth, H Stevenson (both Railway Union), A O'Flynn, J O'Halloran (both UCC), L Jacob (UCD), M Frazer (Univ of Maryland).
FIXTURES
Leinster League – Division One – Tomorrow: Pembroke Wanderers v Trinity, Serpentine Avenue, 12.45; Railway Union v Loreto, Park Avenue, 3.0; Old Alexandra v Hermes, Milltown, 3.15.
Munster League – Division One – Tomorrow: Church of Ireland v UCC, Garryduff, 12.0; Ashton v Univ of Limerick, Ashton, 12.30; Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, Farmers Cross, 3.15.
