Gene Muller today announced his squad to compete in the inaugural Champions Challenge II in Kazan from June 21-27.
The 18-player panel features 13 of the players who lined out against Germany in May. The three who do not travel to Russia are Louisa Healy, Rachel Mulligan and Ciara O’Brien while Lizzie Colvin, Megan Frazer, Mary Goode, Shirley McCay and Alex Speers all come back into the fold.
Ireland, as world number 15, are the second highest ranked side in the competition behind India and feature in a group with Malaysia (24th), Russia (23rd) and the Ukraine (18th) in Pool B. Pool A consists of Belarus (26th), Canada (19th), India (14th) and Belgium (20th).
The group travel out to Kazan on June 17 where they take in a holding camp for three days before getting into action on June 21 against the hosts.
Speaking about the event, Muller believes his charges will be trying hard to impress with the main focus of the year – the Europeans – on the horizon.
“The champions challenge II tournament will provide us with some much needed tournament experience. The tournament is open with many teams of similar ranking all wanting to progress up the world rankings.
“Critically the tournament comes at an ideal time in our preparation for the European Championships. I expect us to play well as the players have worked hard this year.”
Squad:
Lauren Barr (Ballymoney), Emma Clarke (Ulster Elks), Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney), Lizzie Colvin (Loreto), Eimear Cregan (Capt, Cork Harlequins), Roisin Flinn (UCD), Megan Frazer (Ballymoney), Mary Goode (GK, Bray), Emma Gray (GK, Hermes), Michelle Harvey (Pegasus), Lisa Jacob (UCD), Shirley McCay (Ulster Elks), Cathy McKean (Loreto), Alex Speers (Pegasus), Niamh Small (Loreto), Emma Smyth (Railway Union), Emma Stewart (Armagh), Nikki Symmons (Loreto)
Staff:Gene Muller; Sally Ann Fanagan; Denis Prichard; Karen Coughlin; Rudi Wortmann; Ian McKeown
Match Schedule (times given as GMT)
Sunday, June 21: Ireland v Russia, 3pm
Monday, June 22: Ireland v Ukraine, 1pm
Wednesday, June 24: Ireland v Malaysia, 7am
Friday, June 26 & Saturday, June 27: Classification/Finals
2 comments:
How can the Irish Hockey defend sending a management team of 6. While other irish teams are been told to raise money. Do they know the money will run out so start looking at costs now.
some interesting selections!
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