Harlequins defender Aoife Falvey is the only new cap in Riet Kuper's first Irish squad, named for next weekend's three international friendlies against Scotland in Dundee. Railway Union's Mary Logue has regained the captaincy following Jeanette Turner's reversal of her decision not to retire from international hockey. Falvey is one of three Harlequins players to be included in the squad of 18, along with Rachel Kohler and Karen O'Brien. UCC's Michelle O'Sullivan, Jenny Burke of Hermes and Ards defender Caroline Craig were unavailable for selection due to illness and injury, but will be considered for the Four Nations tournament in Belfield in a fortnight's time.

Judith McKinnon, formerly Chapman, who now plays for Sunderland in the English first division, Kim Mills of Pegasus, Hermes goalkeeper Tara Browne and Old Alexandra forward Trish Conway return to the Irish squad after narrowly missing out on selection for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe last summer, while Hermes's Daphne Sixsmith also gains a chance to add to her six international caps.

"The players have been working very hard and I've been pleased with their performances in training, but now I must see how they cope under pressure in an international environment," said Kuper yesterday. "We are playing a different kind of game to what the players are used to and in some respects our tactical awareness is not up to international standard - we must work hard in the coming matches to improve on that."

Meanwhile in Galway, Pembroke Wanderers II won the Irish Junior Cup finals, securing the title by beating Enniscorthy 1-0.