Galway hope to find perfect blend for European Indoors

Galway’s ladies travel to Lousada, Portugal for this weekend’s European Indoor Club Champion’s Challenge with a squad which coach Richard Malone describes as “the ideal blend of youth and experience”.

His squad will be led by former outdoor international Tara Browne – adding another chapter to an incredible career which saw her previously take on Europe with Hermes in the outdoor game.

Speaking of her inclusion Malone said " I'm delighted Tara has decided to take on this challenge, its another unique achievement for her in her career and its great us the other players in the club who can draw on her previous European experience."

Browne was one of the key members of the squad that won the ladies Indoor Cup in 2008 with a 3-2 win over Railway in the final.

That day Evan Murphy netted twice early on with Grainne Black making it 3-0 in jig time. Emer Lucey pulled two back but Browne (pictured, below left) was instrumental at halting the onslaught to claim the title at the very first attempt.

Her presence is augmented by the experienced former Pembroke player Emma Glanville while the club’s impressive youth structure is also well represented in Malone’s initial 18-player panel.

Irish underage players Freddie Timmins, Tara Melvin, Lynsey Trainor, Emily Molloy and Jessica McNickan have been named.

Belgium-based Ciara Murphy could yet link up with the side but probably the most surprising inclusions are the two youngest members of the squad Michelle and Elaine Carey, Michelle who was part of the team that claimed the national championship last year is now joined by her younger sibling Elaine who will just turn 14 prior to the tournament.

They begin their six-team group, looking for a top two placing, with a double-header on Friday, facing Serbia’s HK Bask and Denmark’s Slagelse. Saturday sees games against Wales’ Howardian LHC and the hosts AD Lousada. The final group, early on Sunday, is against the Turksih side, Cankaya Bld SC.

You can follow the club’s progress and send on your best wishes during the tournament at Galway club’s excellent microsite, click here

Galway Squad: Tara Browne, Michelle Carey, Grainne Black, Emma Glanville, Freddie Timmins, Grace Melvin, Tara Melvin, Lynsey Trainor, Jessica Mc Nickan, Eavan Murphy, Ciara Murphy, Deirdre Joyce, Emiliy Molloy, Maeve Faherty, Claire Heskin, Alison Hynes, Elaine Newell, Elaine Carey
Manager: Kathleen Melvin
Stand-in manager: Gillian Trainor
Coach: Richard Malone
Assistant Coach: Maeve Faherty

Schedule:
Friday, February 20
12pm: HK Bask vs Galway,
4pm: Slagelse vs Galway
Saturday, Febraury 21
1pm Howardian LHC vs Galway
4pm AD Lousada vs Galway
Sunday, February 22
11am: Galway vs Cankaya Bld SC