Munster’s O’Flynn earns maiden call-up for new ‘super camp’
A new three-day Irish hockey camp aimed specifically at addressing the psychological and nutritional needs of elite players is to get underway this weekend at Jordanstown in Belfast.
It is hoped the ‘super camp’ venture will be accommodated on a four-monthly basis into the national programme, with the Irish women’s squad the first to try it out from Friday to Sunday.
UCC's Audrey O'Flynn, right, has earned her first call-up to an Irish senior women's squad. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell
According to the Irish Hockey Association’s high performance director Dave Passmore, the camp will differ from the regular two-day Irish get-togethers, where the emphasis is on tactical and technical components.
Players will have access to nutritionists, sports psychologists and time management consultants during the camp, as Ireland begin a new cycle aimed at qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.
“The super camp is an excellent idea, ensuring the essential elements of broader development of an athlete are prioritised and given specific attention,” said Passmore.
“This idea was generated from the women’s evaluation process, and will also be developed within the men’s programme.”
Irish senior women’s coach Gene Muller also gave the idea a thumbs up, but stressed that there is plenty of room for the players to improve.
“This camp is the start of our international preparation for 2009,” he said. “We are currently working with a group that has good potential. They are talented and ambitious, but we need to address areas in which we can make imporvements.”
The squad selected to attend the camp contains a few notable returnees and one new face. Chelmsford’s Ciara O’Brien returns after missing the summer’s Setanta Sports Trophy and Celtic Cup competitions, while Ballymoney’s Lauren Barr and Stephanie Quinn and Rachel Mulligan of Armagh get their first call-ups in more than a year.
UCC’s Áine Connery gets another deserved chance after hitting five goals in as many games for Ireland A over the summer, while her club team-mate Audrey O’Flynn is included for the first time after impressing Muller in last week’s open Irish trial.
However, another UCC star, Julia O’Halloran, is a notable absentee from the squad, having reportedly decided to concentrate on final-year college commitments.
Irish senior women’s squad for three-day camp in Jordanstown: L Barr (Ballymoney), E Clarke (Ulster Elks), L Colvin (Loreto), A Connery (UCC), E Cregan (Cork Harlequins), M Frazer (Ballymoney), M Goode (Bray), E Gray (Hermes), M Harvey (Pegasus), L Healy (Loreto), L Jacob (UCD), S McCay (Ulster Elks), K McConnell (Pegasus), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), C McKean (Loreto), B McKeever (Ballymoney), H Moffett (UCC), R Mulligan (Armagh), C O’Brien (Chelmsford), A O’Flynn (UCC), S Quinn (Armagh), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), N Small (Loreto), E Stewart (Armagh), A Speers (Pegasus), N Symmons (Loreto).
Post Author:
alangood
6 Replies to “Munster’s O’Flynn earns maiden call-up for new ‘super camp’”
I can’t understand the scheduling of matches by the ladies Branch. Harlequins ladies are being penalised for having 2 players on the Irish squad & have to play CofI without them How does this help hockey? This could also impact on qualification for the IHL next season. Would the Irish coach want his players with a non IHL team?
ucc is missing three players and a coach and could hvae been four if julia o halloran hadn’t dropped out. the clubs should be allowed to schedule the matches midweek to enable international players to play. however it does give fringe players in a club the opportunity to get more game time in the first division and thus developing them as players. having said that, the quality of the games on show are reduced as a result and then maybe leading to less spectators. the ci quins match will not have cliodhna sargent or cregan which will be a huge boost to ci. clubs are in a way being punished for developing international standard hockey players cause they will rarely get to use them.
There is no way clubs should be asked to play in league matches when players are mssing due to Irish training sessions. This makes a farce of the league and should not be allowed to happen.
It is very surprising & disappointing that there isn’t any hockey on the Examiner today (Friday).. I would have thought the double header in Farmers Cross between Quins & CofI (mens & ladies) would have generated a lot of interest.
there was hockey on the examiner on friday, it had a photograph next to the article
This week’s hockey appeared in the Examiner on Saturday – still in time for the matches, but a day later than usual nonetheless. The weekend preview will usually appear on Fridays, as it does in the Times, but it may sometimes change day for one reason or another, such as space constraints.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
I can’t understand the scheduling of matches by the ladies Branch. Harlequins ladies are being penalised for having 2 players on the Irish squad & have to play CofI without them How does this help hockey? This could also impact on qualification for the IHL next season. Would the Irish coach want his players with a non IHL team?
ucc is missing three players and a coach and could hvae been four if julia o halloran hadn’t dropped out. the clubs should be allowed to schedule the matches midweek to enable international players to play. however it does give fringe players in a club the opportunity to get more game time in the first division and thus developing them as players. having said that, the quality of the games on show are reduced as a result and then maybe leading to less spectators. the ci quins match will not have cliodhna sargent or cregan which will be a huge boost to ci. clubs are in a way being punished for developing international standard hockey players cause they will rarely get to use them.
There is no way clubs should be asked to play in league matches when players are mssing due to Irish training sessions. This makes a farce of the league and should not be allowed to happen.
It is very surprising & disappointing that there isn’t any hockey on the Examiner today (Friday).. I would have thought the double header in Farmers Cross between Quins & CofI (mens & ladies) would have generated a lot of interest.
there was hockey on the examiner on friday, it had a photograph next to the article
This week’s hockey appeared in the Examiner on Saturday – still in time for the matches, but a day later than usual nonetheless. The weekend preview will usually appear on Fridays, as it does in the Times, but it may sometimes change day for one reason or another, such as space constraints.