Ireland women’s coach Gene Muller will look at the credentials of 31 players in a five-game series against Canada in Dublin next month, having named three senior squads and two Ireland A squads.
Bray goalkeeper Mary Goode returns to a familiar-looking senior set-up after a few months on sabbatical, while UCC playmaker Julia O’Halloran, who is on a year-long break from top-level international hockey due to academic commitments, is included in the A squad.
UCD’s Roisin Flinn is also in that squad after returning from travelling, while there are a number of new faces, including Mel Ryan of Cork C of I, UCC’s Audrey O’Flynn and Hermes starlets Nicola Evans and Niamh Atcheler.
Muller said he was looking forward to comparing players competing for positions, and will finalise the make-up of both squads following the five-game test against the Canucks, who Ireland beat 2-0 and 2-1 in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria in May.
Ireland A squads to play Canada at Belfield
Monday January 12 (2pm): N Atcheler, E Gray (GK), A O’Flanagan, N Evans, C Watkins (Hermes), A O’Flynn, J O’Halloran (UCC), L Colvin, Z Delany, N Small (Loreto), R Flinn (UCD), M Frazer (Ballymoney), M Harvey (Pegasus), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins) M Ryan (Cork C of I), H Stevenson (GK, Railway Union).
Tuesday January 13 (2pm): N Atcheler, E Gray (GK), A O’Flanagan, N Evans, C Watkins (Hermes), A O’Flynn, J O’Halloran (UCC), L Colvin, Z Delany (Loreto), L McInerney (UCD), R Mulligan (Armagh), M Ryan (Cork C of I), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), L Barr (Ballymoney), K Elkin (Randalstown), H Stevenson (GK, Railway Union)
Ireland senior squads to play Canada at Belfield Friday January 16 (2pm): E Clarke, S McCay (Ulster Elks), L Colvin, L Healy (GK), C McKean, N Symmons, N Small (Loreto), K Elkin (Randalstown), R Flinn, L Jacob (UCD), M Goode (GK, Bray), M Harvey (Pegasus), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), H Moffett (UCC), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins)
Saturday January 17 (2.30pm): E Clarke, S McCay (Ulster Elks), L Colvin, L Healy (GK), C McKean, N Symmons (Loreto), L Barr, M Frazer, B McKeever (Ballymoney), M Harvey, A Speers (Pegasus), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), M Goode (GK, Bray), L Jacob (UCD), R Mulligan (Armagh), C O’Brien (Chelsmford).
Sunday January 18 (2pm): E Clarke, S McCay (Ulster Elks), N Small, L Healy (GK), C McKean, N Symmons (Loreto), M Goode (GK, Bray), M Harvey, A Speers (Pegasus), R Flinn, L Jacob (UCD), C O’Brien (Chelmsford), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), B McKeever (Ballymoney), H Moffett (UCC). Unavailable for selection: E Stewart, S Quinn (Armagh), E Cregan (Cork Harlequins)
