Connery earns Ireland opportunity with call-up to elite panel

ÁINE CONNERY looks set to be given the chance to resurrect her Irish international hockey career, after she was confirmed as a participant in the team’s central preparation programme (CPP) yesterday.

The 12-times capped Kilkenny native, also a noted camogie player with St Lachtain’s, has not seen full international action since seemingly falling out of favour with coach Gene Muller in the 2007/08 season.

Then with UCC, the 23-year-old maverick forward is now a regular goalscorer for Hermes in Dublin, and her impressive club form has been rewarded with a “probationary” place in the CPP, which aims to achieve Olympic qualification for the first time.