Coach Gene Muller today announced his eighteen to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).The OQT take place in Victoria, Canada from the April 26 to May 4 and presents Ireland with a final chance to secure a berth at the Beijing Olympics next August.
Ireland are currently the second highest ranked team competing, lying 14th in the world. They face Korea (9th), Italy (19th), Canada (23rd) Uruguay (24th) and Malaysia (25th) and must finish in the top two to secure a place in the finals on May 4 for a play-off where the winner takes all and earns themselves the coveted spot at Beijing.
Commenting on the preparation phase, Muller was happy with how things have gone to date “I have been very ha
ppy with our preparation in the build up to this tournament. We have played quality teams like South Africa , Spain , New Zealand , China , and Great Britain in the last 3 months, and produced some quality performances.”“The players have been fantastic in the way that they have approached our preparation, and I feel that we have made good strides. My hope is that the team plays well and does justice to how they have applied themselves.”
The team will compete in one more final series of matches this weekend as part of their preparations when they play hosts to France in UCD, Dublin .
Squad for OQT (clubs/caps):
Emma Clarke (Randalstown, 45), Eimear Cregan (Capt) (Cork Harlequins, 131), Mary Goode (GK) (Pembroke Wanderers, 42), Louisa Healy (GK) (Loreto, 27), Lisa Jacob (UCD, 23), Jenny McDonough (Belfast Harlequins, 102), Shirley McCay (Randalstown, 40), Cathy McKean (Loreto, 96), Bridget McKeever (Ballymoney, 105), Hollie Moffett (UCC, 8), Louisa Moore (Pembroke Wanderers, 11), Ciara O’Brien (V Capt) (Chelmsford, 144), Julia O’Halloran (UCC, 31), Clare Parkhill (Randalstown, 62), Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins, 23), Alex Speers (Pegasus, 35), Emma Stewart (Armagh, 48), Nikki Symmons (Loreto, 93)
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