Kuper names 20-strong squad

IRISH ladies hockey coach Riet Kuper has named a squad of 20 to travel to America next month as preparations intensify ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland from March 19-28.

Most of the squad which finished sixth in the European Nations Championship in September are included, the most notable exceptions being former captain Rachel Kohler and Karen Bateman, both retired from international competition.

Lynsey McVicker, vice-captain of the European squad in Barcelona, has been appointed captain, replacing Kohler, while Jenny Burke takes over the vice-captaincy.

Kuper has included five uncapped players in the squad, including Deirdre Casey, Nicky McCaughern and Kristin Farrell who were all part of the U21 squad, while Pamela Orr from Randalstown and Loreto’s Orla Ryan are also selected.

The trip to America from January 9 to 18 will see the Irish team play three internationals against the US.

The squad will be based in Palo Alto, San Francisco, playing and training at Stanford University.

Joan Morgan, executive secretary of the IHU, is to take over as team manager from Annette Fortune.

The squad is:

S. Beaney (Belfast Harlequins), E Bromell (Catholic Inst,), J Burke (Hermes), D Casey (Church of Ireland), L Caulfield (Hermes), F Connery (Hermes), E Cregan (UL), K Farrell (Waterford), N King (Old Alexandra), K Maybin (Pegasus), N McCaughern (Ballymoney), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), B McKeever (Ballymoney), L McVicker (Ballymoney), C O'Brien (UCD), J Orbinson (Portadown), P Orr (Randalstown), A Platt (Ballymoney), O Ryan (Loreto), N Symmons (Loreto).

Management Team - Manager: Joan Morgan; Assistant Manager: Julie Dwyer; Coach: Riet Kuper; Assistant Coach: Sally Bell; Physiotherapist: Beibhinn MacCann; Strength & Conditioning: Phil Moreland; Nutritionist: Ruth Wood Martin; Psychologist: Tadhg MacIntyre.