Interpros come too soon for Cregan

Irish women’s captain Eimear Cregan is the most notable absentee from a strong Munster squad named by coach Paidi Hartnett for the senior interprovincials, to be held on home soil at Garryduff from March 13-15. Cregan has missed the bulk of the season with a foot injury, but hopes she would be fit enough to take part grew when she travelled to Alicante for the Irish squad’s warm-weather training camp earlier this month. However, she has yet to return to action for Cork Harlequins, and despite being given every chance to prove her fitness, will miss the tournament. The 18-strong panel nonetheless features five full Irish internationals, plus three current members of the Ireland A squad. Experienced C of I midfielder Deirdre Casey will skipper the side, while UCC’s Julia O’Halloran is given a chance to prove her leadership credentials by assuming the vice-captaincy.

There are very few bolts from the blue in terms of selection. Catholic Institute goalkeeper Ciara Ronan is rewarded for her good form this term with a place alongside Quins’ Amy O’Neill. Hartnett has given himself plenty of options defensively, naming seven such players. Quins’ Cliodhna Sargent is joined by her club captain Rachel McSharry, alongside UCC pair Audrey O’Flynn and Orla Crowley. C of I are represented here by Melanie Ryan and Jennifer Kenefick, who returned to the club from Railway Union in mid-season, while Pembroke Wanderers’ Karen Hales is the sole panel representative plying her trade outside the province. Munster are likely to boast an all-international midfield, with Casey and O’Halloran joined by UCC duo Hollie Moffett and Aine Connery, who will line out alongside sister Sinéad. The squad is also sure to benefit from the outside know-how of C of I’s powerful Australian fulcrum Michaela Mihailou. Despite the huge hole left by Cregan’s absence, Hartnett has included just three out-and-out forwards in the squad, which suggests the likes of Aine Connery and O’Halloran may be deployed in more advanced roles. UL’s Jen O’Loughlin will lead the line alongside UCC’s Miriam Crowley and Kym Daly of Catholic Institute. Hartnett will be joined on the sidelines by assistant coach Phil Oakley, with Pat Healy and Sandra Hackett – who is due to have an operation to repair her torn cruciate ligament next week – completing the management team. Munster senior women’s squad: C Ronan (GK, Catholic Institute), A O’Neill (Cork Harlequins); C Sargent, R McSharry (Cork Harlequins), A O’Flynn, O Crowley (UCC), M Ryan, J Kenefick (Cork C of I), K Hales (Pembroke Wanderers); J O’Halloran (vice-capt), H Moffett, A Connery (UCC), D Casey (capt), M Mihailou, S Connery (Cork C of I); J O’Loughlin (UL), M Crowley (UCC), K Daly (Catholic Institute). Coach: Paidi Hartnett Assistant coach: Phil Oakley Management: Pat Healy & Sandra Hackett