Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Fitzgerald, Robinson, Doherty and Giles set for Irish debuts

Paul Revington has announced an experimental line-up for the upcoming Celtic Cup in Scotland later this month with David Fitzgerald, Brian Doherty, David Robinson and Alan Giles all set to make their senior international debuts.


With the Champion's Challenge and European's on the horizon, the Irish manager has named eight uncapped players in his panel of 18 with Johnny Jackson (pictured) the only outfielder remaining from last week's trip to Wales. Nine of the panel are still U-21.
Revington explains his reasoning for the young panel: “The Celtic Cup is placed too close to the Champions Challenge II, which carries major FIH and European ranking significance and as such we have taken the decision to rest several key senior players.

“This squad has several members who have been called up from the ‘A’ side as they move into their final phase of development. The Celtic Cup offers them the opportunity to showcase their qualities on the international stage as they endeavour to secure a place in the full senior squad.”

IHA high performance director, Dave Passmore, adds “It is great to see so many new caps, several who have been working with the ‘A’ set up for some time and others who are new into the system. This demonstrates the strength of the system and it is a credit to the clubs for their development.”

In addition to the quartet of Leinster debutants Paul Gleghorne, Andrew Herbert, Bruce McCandless and Chris Cargo get their first call-up.

Ireland men's squad:
Iain Walker (GK, YMCA), David Fitzgerald (GK, Monkstown), John Jackson (Capt, Loughborough), Brian Doherty (Corinthian), Adam Pritchard (Cork C of I), Paul Gleghorne (Loughborough), Keith Black (Cookstown), Simon Todd (Mossley), David Ames (Cookstown), David Robinson (YMCA), Alan Giles (vice-captain, Pembroke Wanderers), Michael Maguire (Three Rock Rovers), Andrew Herbert (Cork C of I), Peter Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers), Peter Caruth (Annadale), Gareth Watkins (Monkstown), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge), Chris Cargo (Reading)

Match Schedule
Friday, June 26:
(2pm) Ireland v France; (6pm) Scotland v Wales
Saturday, June 27: (12pm) Ireland v Wales; (4pm) Scotland v France
Sunday, June 28: (12pm) France v Wales; (4pm) Scotland v Ireland

For more info, click here.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some of the names in that squad are at best average players.Selection still seems to be very shady.

Anonymous said...

Its about time Paul Gleghorne has gotten his chance to prove himself at this level. Watch this player become a regular for seasons to come!

Anonymous said...

fair play gilesy, long overdue and well deserved!

Anonymous said...

Delighted from a personal point of view for some of the boys up there getting capped. Hope they do well now. I think this shows that the squad system is in a healthy state and should there be injuries to 1st team players we seem to have ready-made replacements who will know the team inside out.

I see only positives from this.

Anonymous said...

Good to see alot of players who have passed thru the U18 and U16 groups , plus some how missed out at the junior ages.

Anonymous said...

well done leinster lads, dohertys just 19 one for the future.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Gilsey and all the best!

Anonymous said...

heard a rumour that only IHL playing players abe being considered for Irish squads,any thoughts to this

Anonymous said...

yes that is true. that is why robbo was picked...

Anonymous said...

Hardly think Cargo, Gleeghorne and Jackson play in IHL!

Anonymous said...

About time Chris cargo got a call up, The english national leagues are better than that in Ireland, more players in the UK should be looked at

Anonymous said...

not true,doherty didn't play IHL this season did he?

Anonymous said...

well done fitzy... well deserved

Anonymous said...

Quite shocked at some of the names in this squad.How a few of those players have been selected only Revington knows i suppose..

Anonymous said...

I think the Irish cause would have been better served by playing some of the less established Irish players from the main squad such as Geoff McCabe, Andy McConnell, Conor Harte and Michael Watt along with the likes of John Jackson, Michael Maguire, Gareth Watkins etc. This would have been much more beneficial than bringing players with minute chances of ever being a main stay of the Irish team and letting them get token caps.