Carroll part of new Irish wave

Irish interim women’s coach Denis Pritchard has opted to freshen up his panel ahead of next month’s Champions Challenge I by bringing in eight new faces. There has been a large number of changes from the centralised pre-Olympic qualifiers setup, with midfielders Shirley McCay and Lizzie Colvin set to go travelling and English-based Emma Clarke unavailable through work commitments. Nicci Daly has also moved to England for college and so was not considered.

Six of the Ireland U21 side who claimed European gold in Lisbon last month make the step up to the senior panel, including Sarah Greene, Nicola Gray and Leah Ewart from UCD’s Irish Senior Cup-winning side. Catholic Institute’s Naomi Carroll, who scored in every game at the U21 Euros, boosts the Munster contingent while Grace O’Flanagan (Railway Union) and Sammy Jo Greer (Leeds Metropolitan) come in to make it a four-way competition for the goalkeeper’s smock. Steph Quinn (Pegasus) and Zara Delany (Railway) see their rise through the national ranks continue after their involvement with Ireland A during the summer while Katie Mullan is the squad’s bolter, promoted to senior duty having only just finished up with Ireland U18. Pritchard said his side will have eight warm-up games to prove their credentials ahead of the Champions Challenge I, which is being hosted by Ireland and will be held in UCD from September 29 to October 7. “It is encouraging to see young talent coming through to mix it with the senior group,” he said. “Competition for places will add to the intensity of our training. There will also be development opportunities for some individuals outside of this group.” IRELAND senior women’s training panel:  E Gray (GK, Hermes), P Smithwick (GK, Old Alex), G O’Flanagan (GK, Railway Union), S-J Greer (GK, Leeds Met), S McCarthy (Hermes), S Quinn (Pegasus), S Greene (UCD), A O’Flynn (Hermes), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), M Harvey (Pegasus), N Atcheler (UCD), B Flannery (UCD), N Gray (UCD), N Symmons (Loreto), L Ewart (UCD), C Watkins (UCD), A Meeke (Loreto), E Smyth (Railway Union), A Speers (Railway Union), A Connery (Hermes), M Crowley (Hermes), A O’Flanagan (UCD), N Evans (Railway Union), N Carroll (Catholic Institute), N Small (Loreto), L Jacob (Hermes), Z Delany (Railway Union), Katie Mullan (TBC). Not available for selection: S McCay (travelling), L Colvin (travelling), D Duke (College in USA), G Pinder (College in USA), K McDonald (College in USA), E Clarke (work commitments), N Daly (college in England).