Cregan on the cusp of caps record

EIMEAR CREGAN admits she has had plenty of lucky breaks along the way as she stands on the cusp of becoming the most capped Irish hockey player of all time.

Ireland’s senior women kick off their Four Nations campaign against Australia in Essen, Germany tonight (7pm), with skipper Cregan set to equal Rachael Kohler’s tally of 166 – a record since 2003 – if she plays.

And the Limerick native is almost certain to overtake that mark in the games against India and the hosts over the weekend. At just 28, Cregan has plenty of time left at the highest level – but the former camogie starlet admitted fortune played its part in ensuring she played hockey at all.

“I absolutely hadn’t a clue of the rules and I was from a big GAA family. My friend asked me to come down, gave me a stick and shinguards and the minute I picked up the stick I absolutely loved it,” she recalled.

“I always wanted to play for Ireland and that drives you on. But it does take a lot of hard work and commitment.” She cites scoring a hat-trick against Korea in 2005 and partaking in the 2002 World Cup as her career highlights.

Ireland’s senior men are also in action this weekend as they defend their Celtic Cup crown at Le Touquet, France, taking on the hosts, Wales and Scotland.

A combination of retirements and resting players has left many gaps in midfield to be filled, presenting David Ames, Geoff McCabe, Andy McConnell and Alan Giles with a chance to establish themselves.

Meanwhile, the make-up of an all-new Ireland U17 girls team – which will compete at the World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August – was confirmed yesterday.

Ireland U16 and U18 coaches, Una McCarthy and Richie Malone respectively, will assist Irish hockey’s high performance director David Passmore in the management of the side.

Fourteen of the 16 participants were confirmed yesterday, while the final two will be named in the coming days. Catholic Institute duo Rebecca Barry ad Roisin Upton and Cork Harlequins’ Antonia McGrath fly the flag for Munster.

The side also includes Greenfields’ Dora Gorman, who currently has more pressing matters on her hands as the captain of the Republic of Ireland U17 soccer side, who face Spain in the final of the UEFA Championships in Nyon tomorrow.

Elsewhere, the Ireland A men’s squad for the Junior Celtic Cup side has been confirmed by coach Graham Shaw, who has included Munster duo Ali Smith (Bandon) and Clinton Sweetnam (Cork C of I) in a squad who are all under 21 for the purpose of this tournament.