Kuper drops Ryan and Orr from Olympic qualifiers squad

ORLA RYAN and Pamela Orr were yesterday dropped by Irish ladies hockey coach Riet Kuper, as she announced her squad for the forthcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand from March 19 to 28.

Ryan and Orr were part of the squad which travelled to America last week as part of the build-up to

Auckland, but lost out when the squad was pared down for the event.

As part of their final preparation for what will be a huge tournament for the Irish, the squad of 18 will travel to Argentina on February 2 for a two-week training camp which includes international games against Argentina, Holland and Korea.

This will be followed by a test series against Spain, in Spain. The squad will be based in Cordoba and Madrid respectively for the tour.

Kuper says she will use the trip to provide valuable experience for recently capped Nicky McCaughern, Deirdre Casey and Kristin Farrell who are reported to have acquitted themselves well in the USA.

Lynsey McVicker will captain the side with Jenny Burke appointed Vice Captain. Kuper has been forced to rebuild her side after last September’s European Championships, with the retirement of stalwarts Rachel Kohler and Karen Bateman, and this has allowed the likes of Elaine Brommell, Casey, McCaughern and Farrell to break into the senior team.

Ryan and Orr will remain on standby for Auckland.

Squad: (caps in brackets) N. King , Old Alexandra (15); A. Platt, Ballymoney (35); S. Beaney, B’fast H’quins (7); E. Bromell, Cath. Institute (3); J. Burke, Hermes, v. capt (133); D. Casey, Cork C of I (3), L. Caulfield, Hermes (85); F. Connery, Hermes (11); E. Cregan, UL (47); K. Farrell, Waterford (2); K. Maybin, Pegasus (32); N. McCaughern, Ballymoney (3); J. McDonough, B’fast H’quins (30); B. McKeever, Ballymoney (14); L. McVicker, capt., Ballymoney (125); C. O'Brien, UCD (54); J. Orbinson, Portadown (82), N. Symmons, Loreto (8). Manager: Joan Morgan; Coach: Riet Kuper; Asst Coach: Sally Bell; Physio: Beibhinn McCann; Asst Mgr: Julie Dwyer; Strength, Conditioning: Phil Moreland.