New Ireland international women’s coach, Gene Muller, has named two squads for events in Ireland and Germany over the coming weeks.
The first tournament to take place is a four nations invitational in Essen, Germany from 25 – 27 June. This tournament will give Ireland a great opportunity to compete against some of the top sides in the world - Australia, India and of course hosts Germany.
Just three days later on 30 June, Ireland will take on Australia in a triple header in UCD, Dublin.
Muller named a squad of 18 for the four-nations, which includes the uncapped Nicola Evans, and a squad of 19 for the Australian test series, which sees Louisa Healy in for Mary Goode and the uncapped Sinead McCarthy included.
Commenting on his selection, Muller said: ‘The panel for these two events features two new additions, with Nicola Evans and Sinead McCarthy being selected. We are delighted to have secured these fixtures and our players are exited at the prospect of competing against this calibre of opposition.
‘Australia and Germany are traditional powerhouses in women's hockey and will be a stern test for us. India are the Commonwealth games hosts and are gearing up for the World Cup later this year.They are an emerging force in Asian hockey.’
Ireland squad for the four-nations event in Essen, Germany from 25-27 June:
Emma Clarke (Leicester; 67 caps); Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney; 144); Lizzie Colvin (Loreto; 31); Eimear Cregan (Catholic Institute; 165); Nicci Daly (Loreto; 2); Nicola Evans (Railway Union; 0); Mary Goode (Bray; 67); Emma Gray (Hermes; 12); Michelle Harvey (Pegasus; 32); Lisa Jacob (UCD; 67); Shirley McCay (Dragons; 85); Audrey O'Flynn (UCC; 8); Julia O'Halloran (UCC; 48); Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins; 59); Niamh Small (Loreto; 27); Emma Smyth (Railway Union; 26); Alex Speers (Dragons; 72); Nikki Symmons (Loreto; 136)
Ireland squad for the Australia series event in UCD, Dublin from 30 June – 2 July:
Emma Clarke (Leicester; 67 caps); Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney; 144); Lizzie Colvin (Loreto; 31); Eimear Cregan (Catholic Institute; 165); Nicci Daly (Loreto; 2); Nicola Evans (Railway Union; 0); Louise Healy (Loreto; 49); Emma Gray (Hermes; 12); Michelle Harvey (Pegasus; 32); Lisa Jacob (UCD; 67); Sinead McCarthy (Cork Harlequins; 0) Shirley McCay (Dragons; 85); Audrey O'Flynn (UCC; 8); Julia O'Halloran (UCC; 48); Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins; 59); Niamh Small (Loreto; 27); Emma Smyth (Railway Union; 26); Alex Speers (Dragons; 72); Nikki Symmons (Loreto; 136)
