Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Ireland squad for Wales' series revealed

Ireland's will get a feel for the conditions they will encounter in Wrexham in the Europeans as Paul Revington named his panel for a double-header at the venue next week.

Speaking about the squad selected today, he said: “These games against Wales will provide our squad with another good opportunity to put training hours into test match situations.

"Michael Watt (pictured) returns to action after several months completing his studies in Scotland, while the likes of John Jermyn, Stephen Butler, Timmy Cockram and Geoff McCabe will also play their first international games in 2009 having missed the games against France in March.


"The squad has been working well together and this team will be well tested by a skilful Wales outfit playing on home turf and at the venue of the upcoming Euro Nations Trophy in August.”

Ireland squad: David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), Iain Walker (YMCA), Ronan Gormley (Capt) (Pembroke Wanderers), Tim Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers), Joe Brennan (Glenanne), Conor Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), John Jackson (Loughborough), Graham Shaw (V/Capt) (Glenanne), Stephen Butler (Glenanne), David Hobbs (V/Capt) (Cork C of I), John Jermyn (Cork C of I), Andy McConnell (Three Rock Rovers), Geoff McCabe (Banbridge), Eugene Magee (Banbridge), Timmy Cockram (Lisnagarvey), Mitch Darling (Three Rock Rovers), Alan Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers), Michael Watt (Grange),

Schedule:
Saturday, June 6 (2.30pm) Ireland v Wales
Sunday, June 7 (1pm) Ireland v Wales

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

looks like a decent squad! Hopefully all the players get a good run out!

Anonymous said...

Watkins should be in there.

Anonymous said...

Very strong squad in my opinion but a bit surprised there is no Karl Burns. Is he unavailable?

Anonymous said...

Agree with Watkins comment.Should def be in squad.No surprise regarding Karl Burns.As with most of the defenders they need to learn to hit the ball to international standard, reduce the amount of slap passes they make which are easily intercepted and stop throwing overheads which concedes possession too easily.Only exception to this is J Brennan who rarely concedes possession and should have been in the starting team long ago.

Anonymous said...

What would your team be from that? I'd go with:

Harte
Lewis, Brennan, Harte, Gormley,
Jermyn, Shaw, Butler
Sothern, Magee, Darling

Subs: Jackson, Hobbs, McConnell, Cockram, Watt.

Anonymous said...

watkins in ahead of who?i wouldn't change that choice of forwards

Anonymous said...

I would have to disagree with the comment regarding Joe Brennan. Exceptionally good player but definitely does not give the ball away any less than the other defenders in the squad. Also it should be noted that Karl Burns probably has a better hit than any of the other defenders in the squad.

Anonymous said...

I agree, Watkins in for either Cockram or Watt

Anonymous said...

On the evidence of the Ireland A games, I'd suggest Johnny Jackson must be pretty close to breaking into the team at left back.

The ball pace supplied by Harte and Brennan is immense but I reckon one of those would step out for Jackson.

McConnell's a good rotation player for that middle three too and can move shaw on a bit from midfield.

This side should defo be doing good things in the Euros and back up to A div

Anonymous said...

Who would miss out if Phelie Maguire was available? In my eyes, it would be Geoff McCabe.

Anonymous said...

I think that Brennan has benefited from not being in the squad too early as now he has developed his game to a level where he is capable of leading the defensive line for Ireland. My team would be:

Harte, Jackson, Harte, Brennan, Lewis, Jermyn, Shaw, Butler, Magee, Darling, Southern. Subs: Gormley, McConnell, Hobbs, Cockram, Watt.

I think it seems to pick itself.

Anonymous said...

I'd have Gormley in ahead of Shaw or Butler.

Anonymous said...

I'd reckon all these line-ups will be used in the competitions this summer!

seems Revs has a pretty good squad together with not many arguing for too many changes to the 18, just one or two here or there

Anonymous said...

So 10.37, u'd put the captain on the bench.

Good call...

Anonymous said...

What about Keith Black or David Ames. Black has plenty of pass, whilst Ames has been one of the stand out midfielders in Irish Hockey this season!

Bango said...

not a particularly controversial idea to leave a skipper on the bench - wasn't all the talk a while back of having the captain as part of a group of leaders so if one wasn't there then someone could fill in.

Think the tournament comes a little early for Black who has been on the up of late while for Ames, its a similar case, defo one who will stamp his authority in years to come.

this isn't a finalised squad either for the two majors this summer, do school exams rule Ames out of this weekend?

Anonymous said...

what is the story with gleghorne has he left or what is going on? does anybody know?

Anonymous said...

Not sure about black.He needs to be played in one postition. Seems to be player anywhere as he will do a good job in most positions.

Ames has had a lot of injuries and maybe needs more pitch time with A squad to gain experience.

what does anyone else think?

Stephen Findlater said...

In response to May 27, 2009 2:24 PM, as far as I'm aware there is no real update in relation to Mark Gleghorne from an international perspective.

My understanding is he's still sussing out his options for confirmation whether he can qualify to play for GB and what logistics need to be in place. Until that is sorted out either way, he will remain unavailable for Ireland.

Anonymous said...

Mark Gleghorne has been training with England-FACT

He played in the GB super sixes tournament in order to show himself to the GB and England coaching staff.a half hearted player is no great loss.

Anonymous said...

I have watched videos of IHL and Leinster league matches Karl Burns gave the ball the least of all the defenders named, and harder than most, but its the coaches choice and it must fit in with his style of play.
It would be a shame for Irish hockey if Karl Burns has maybe played his last game for Ireland I for one would go and watch him play and pay for the privilage> i can not say that about many players.

Anonymous said...

steve, heard the new Ireland a womens squad.

apparently holly jenkinson has been called into the team. well deserved in my opinion. the unsung hero of UCDs season.

Anonymous said...

has to be

harte
gormley lewis harte jackson
jermyn shaw butler
watt magee darling

subs: mcconell hobbs sothern cockram brennan

Anonymous said...

Gormley ahead of Shaw or Butler. You having a laugh. Shaw is the best in the country. Ask any of the Irish players. butler is a class act too. Irish team would be los without them. Good Luck Lads

Anonymous said...

Heard jean mcdonnell got called up to ireland a too. She won player of the year at the awards so must be deserved!

Anonymous said...

Harte,
Gormley, Harte, Brennan, Jackson
Shaw, Hobbs, Butler
Jermyn, Magee, Darling

Anonymous said...

Harte
Gormley,Lewis,Brennan,Jackson
Hobbs,Butler,Jermyn
Sothern,Magee,Cockram

Anonymous said...

no ireland a womens team has been officially announced. there were training matches played last weekend among all senior players and some other players were brought in to increase numbers including holly jenkinson and jean mcdonnell.

Anonymous said...

How are so many people leaving Sothern on the bench...the guy had the season of his life and was the country's top scorer. Shouldnt we be giving him his full chance at being in the starting 11 more regularly and capitalising on his outstanding form?