Six return for Munster U18s

There’s a familiar look to the Munster U18 girls this year, with six returnees among the panel named by coach David Egner for next month’s interpros. Unsurprisingly, Egner has turned to the two youth Olympians in his squad – Catholic Institute midfielder Roisin Upton and Cork Harlequins left-back Antonia McGrath – to lead the side. Upton takes on the captaincy mantle, with McGrath deputising. They are re-joined from last year’s squad by Quins schemer Leanne Mullins, C of I starlet Emma Dobson, Bandon’s Vicky Burns and Limerick HC’s Ciara Hayes.

Three of last year’s reserves – goalkeeper Ciara Randles, Rachel O’Hanlon and recent Quins recruit Elisa Buckley – are included in the main panel this time around. Randles is also the sole goalkeeper in the squad. Just five players have stepped up from last year’s U16 squad; Ashton duo Kate Harvey and Shauna Fagan have blossomed into fine Division One players since then, while Acacia Taylor was already established as such at Quins. Alex O’Grady and Pamela Wolfe of C of I are the others to successfully make the jump. The U18 girls interpros are this year hosted by Ulster, and will take place at NICS’ water-based pitch in Belfast from October 22/23. MUNSTER U18 2011: Ciara Randles (GK, Scoil Mhuire/Ashton); Aisling O’Leary (Bandon Grammar/Bandon); Kate Harvey (St Angela’s/Ashton); Vicky Burns (Bandon Grammar/Bandon); Alex O’Grady (Ashton Comp/Cork C of I); Antonia McGrath (Ursulines Thurles/Cork Harlequins, vice-captain); Roisin Upton (Crescent Comp/Catholic Institute, capt); Pamela Wolfe (Midleton College/Cork C of I); Louise Mills (Regina Mundi/Cork Harlequins); Leanne Mullins (Ashton Comp/Cork Harlequins); Shauna Fagan (Mount Mercy/Ashton); Acacia Taylor (Bandon Grammar/Cork Harlequins); Rachel O’Hanlon (Scoil Mhuire/Cork C of I); Emma Dobson (Scoil Muhire/Cork C of I); Ciara Sexton (Loreto Fermoy/Fermoy); Elisa Buckley (Mount Mercy/Cork Harlequins); Ciara Hayes (Laurel Hill Secondary/Limerick HC); Ciara O’Toole (Scoil Mhuire/Ashton). Coach: David Egner; Assistant Coach: Mark Egner; Manager: Eleanor Flood; Assistant Manager: Maria Twomey; GK Coach/Video: Andrew Langford.