Gregg facing selection crux

IRISH coach Terry Gregg is expected to name his squad for August's World Cup qualifying tournament this weekend, but the withdrawal…

IRISH coach Terry Gregg is expected to name his squad for August's World Cup qualifying tournament this weekend, but the withdrawal of goalkeeper Lucy McClements from the panel yesterday leaves him with yet another selection dilemma to resolve.

The unavailability of Sandra O'Gorman and fitness worries over Tara Browne had already caused Gregg some concern but he must now hope that Browne, who had an operation to remove fluid from a disc in the back at the end of April, will be fit enough to join Alison Vance in the squad.

Browne returned to action at last weekend's Irish training session in Belfast where former captain Jeanette Turner also made a surprise return, having not trained with the panel since April. The Pegasus midfielder now looks set to be named in the 16.

Logue is one of 12 players regarded as certain of their places; the others being: Jenny Burke, Carol Devine (both Leinster) Sarah Kelleher, Rachel Kohler (Munster) and Ulster s Turner, Alison Vance, Laura Brown, Caroline Craig, Claire McMahon, Julie Stewart and Ailene Thompson.

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American-based Lynsey McVicker, who made her first international appearance since the 1994 World Cop finals in Vancouver last month, now appears to be in line for a trip to Zimbabwe, while Karen Humphreys's form in Canada may have been enough to win her a place ahead of Caitriona O'Kelly.

Similarly, UCC's Michelle. O'Sullivan impressed Gregg with her displays as sweeper in Cardiff and against the USA. Trish Conway, Judith McKinnon and Tamara Stronge will also be waiting. nervously to hear Gregg's decision, probably on Sunday evening.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times