The training panels for the four Irish underage squads have been finalised, as the U16 sides prepare for a European adventure next summer while the U18s build towards their 2010 international schedule.
Eleven Munster boys will be hoping to make the cut at the U18 trials, due to take place on November 22 and December 13, with coach Andy Smyth explaining that he has, for now, trusted the judgement of the various provincial coaches.
“I consulted with the interprovincial coaches and have brought all their recommendations. I feel that they are the people who know the players better at this stage,” he said.
“I had a good look at individuals during the interpro tournament and also at others during the Irish Schools tournament. I will now get a chance to look at these players over at least two hard days of technical, physical and match day assessments.
“At the end of this process we will have a large squad who will take part in some or possibly the entire U18 programme this year. It is about finding the balance between developing those players who are in their final year at U18 hockey and having an eye on the longer term prospects for the U18 A division next year.”
Eight Munster girls are in the reckoning for the girls U18 side, including Dutchwoman and adopted Déise girl Nicole Laarhoven, with five more involved in the girls U16 panel. The boys U16 panel, announced a couple of weeks ago, features eight players from the southern province.
Munster players included in Ireland underage training panels
U18 Boys: Ben Dobson (PBC/C of I); Darren Sweetnam (Bandon GS/Bandon); David Doherty (Ashton/C of I); David Wolfe (Ashton/C of I); Dylan Murphy (GK, Villiers/Limerick); Jack Robinson (Bandon GS/Bandon); Mark Holland (Ashton School/Ashton); Nick Burns (Midleton College/C of I); Peter Catchpole (Ashton/C of I); Roy Harvey (Villiers/Limerick); Stephen Swanton (Ashton/C of I).
U18 Girls: Edwina McGrath (Ursulines Thurles/Quins); Amy Kate Trevor (Scoil Mhuire/C of I); Nicole Laarhoven (Almeerse/Netherlands); Naomi Carroll (St Patrick’s Comprehensive/Catholic Institute); Rebecca Barry (Laurel Hill/Catholic Institute); Yvonne O’Byrne (Mount Mercy/Quins); Sarah Sullivan (Bandon GS/Bandon); Elsbeth Wolfe (Midleton College/C of I); Elaine Donnolly Murphy (GK, Mount Mercy/Quins).
U16 Boys: Richard Lynch (Ashton/C of I); Ben Scott (Bandon GS/Bandon); Scott Sullivan (Bandon GS/Bandon); Peter Swanton (Ashton/C of I); Richard Sweetnam (Ashton/C of I); David Treacy (Ashton/C of I); Gary Wilkinson (Ashton/C of I); Simon Wolfe (Ashton/C of I).
U16 Girls: Acacia Taylor (Bandon GS/Quins); Roisin Upton (Crescent CC/Catholic Institute); Antonia McGrath (Ursulines Thurles/Quins); Leanne Mullins (Ashton/Quins); Emma Dobson (Scoil Mhuire/C of I).
