WOMEN'S HOCKEY:AFTER THE Ireland A team produced two fine displays against Canada at Belfield earlier in the week, winning the first meeting 2-0 and drawing the second 2-2, Gene Muller's senior side take on the visitors in three games at the same venue, starting today.
Since Canada lost to Ireland on home turf in the bronze medal play-off at last May’s Olympic Qualifier they have had to rebuild, with several of their more established players retiring following that tournament. Coach Louis Mendonca has, then, included seven uncapped players in the squad he has brought to Dublin, two of them 16-year-olds, with just three of the panel having earned 50 caps or more.
Muller, who was coach of the Canadian men’s team before taking the Irish job, has more experience to call upon, with five of his players – Ciara O’Brien, Bridget McKeever, Jenny McDonough, Cathy McKean and Nikki Symmons – past the 100-cap mark.
There is, though, plenty of youth in Muller’s 20-player panel, with five Ulster teenagers – Rachel Mulligan, Michelle Harvey, Megan Frazer, Lauren Barr and Lizzie Colvin, who is now playing her hockey with Loreto – called up. Muller is, however, still without captain Eimear Cregan who is recovering from a foot injury.
Ireland have a busy schedule in 2009, the main events being June’s inaugural Champions Challenge II in Kazan, Russia — where Canada, Netherlands Antilles, Belgium, China, India, Ukraine and the hosts complete the line-up – and August’s European Championships in Amsterdam, where Ireland have been drawn in a pool with Germany, Spain and Scotland.
In the absence of their five internationals Loreto will hope to maintain their pursuit of Leinster Division One leaders Railway Union when they play Trinity tomorrow, while Hermes will have to be on the top of their form to take the points from Old Alexandra and keep alive their hopes of retaining the title. Railway are at home to Glenanne.
IRISH SQUAD:R Mulligan (Armagh), B McKeever, M Frazer, L Barr (all Ballymoney), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), M Goode (Bray), C O'Brien (Chelmsford), C Sargent (Cork Harlequins), C McKean, N Symmons, L Healy, N Small, L Colvin (all Loreto), A Speers, M Harvey (both Pegasus), K Elkin (Randalstown), R Flinn, L Jacob (both UCD), E Clarke, S McCay (both Ulster Elks).
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today:International (at Belfield) – Ireland v Canada, 2.0.
Tomorrow:International (at Belfield) - Ireland v Canada, 2.30. Irish Hockey Trophy - Quarter-finals: Ulster Elks v Ashton, UUJ, 12.15; Cookstown v Priorians, Cookstown, 1.0; Three Rock Rovers v Catholic Institute, Grange Road, 12.0; Ballymena v Genesis, Ballymena, 2.30. Irish Junior Cup - Second round: Three Rock Rovers II v Old Alexandra II, Grange Road, 2.0; Galway II v UCD II, Dangan, 12.0; Pegasus II v Cork Harlequins II, Queens 1.0; Armagh II v Queens II, Ardmore, 2.30; Randalstown II v Hermes II, Antrim, 2.30; Loreto II v Trinity, Beaufort, 2.30. Leinster League – Division One: Trinity v Loreto, Santry, 10.0; Old Alexandra v Hermes, Milltown, 1.15; UCD v Bray, Belfield, 4.15; Pembroke Wanderers v Corinthian, Serpentine Avenue, 4.0; Railway Union v Glenanne, TBC.
Sunday:International (at Belfield) – Ireland v Canada, 2.0. Irish Junior Cup - Second round: Church of Ireland II v Ashton II, Garryduff, 3.0.
