Players who may have slipped under the radar of the Irish senior women’s coaching staff are being invited to show Gene Muller and his team what they’ve been missing at an open trial to be held at the National Hockey Stadium in UCD on October 3 & 4.
The open-trial concept was first adopted in Irish hockey in December 2006 in an attempt to unearth some talented gems, according to an Irish Hockey Association spokesperson.
“It was felt that this event allowed for assessment of possible national squad players who had been over-looked for selection to national training camps,” said the spokesperson.
“The format will be mini- games and physical testing. A beep score of 12 is recommended. Players deemed potential national squad players would be given further assessment opportunity at a national camp or regional national squad training sessions.”
The two-day session will adopt a format including mini-games and physical tests, and a bleep score of 12 is recommended for all participants.
Those interested in attending need to complete a registration form, available on request by emailing joan.morgan@hockey.ie, no later than September 15. Players attending must arrange their own travel and accommodation.
Meanwhile, Ireland U15 coach Mick McKinnon has announced a 32-strong panel to participate in a 10-month training programme. The players were sourced through the IHA’s Talent ID programme which ran throughout 2008.
McKinnon said: “We had an extended panel of 65 and the level throughout was very encouraging. Those players not in this list will naturally be disappointed, but can be proud of their efforts and are of an age where they will get plenty of opportunities to make other Irish panels. Each player not selected will receive individual feedback from the coaches. ”
Ireland U 15 girls squad: Poppy Ashmore, Chloe Brown, Elaine Carey, Siobhan Cloake, Amy Cooke, Nessa Cooper-Millet, Rebecca Dillon, Emma Dobson, Jill Edgar, Amber Gleeson, Sarah Hennessy, Kate Holland, Jodie Kee, Gemma Kingston, Kate Lloyd, Orla Macken, Chloe McCann, Kerri McDonald, Antonia McGrath, Saoirse McGrath, Katie McQuillan, Katie Morris, Grainne Mulkerrin, Leanne Mullins, Ailish Naughton, Kirby O’Donnell, Rachel Owens, Orla Patton, Sarah Rennick, Anna Roopnaroesingh, Lucy Sherwin, Roisin Upton.
