McDonnell named in Irish squad

JEAN MCDONNELL has been handed the chance to prove her Irish international credentials after she was named in an 18-strong squad for next week’s FIH Champions Challenge I in Dublin.

The 28-year-old Railway Union hitwoman was a relative newcomer to international hockey despite her goalscoring exploits in Leinster, having received her first cap against Scotland just last July. But a maiden international hat-trick in a 6-0 win over an experimental Scottish side brought McDonnell’s tally to five in eight games in green, and appears to have swayed coach Gene Muller’s thinking.

Another to impress at last weekend’s Celtic Cup was Hermes’ Aine Connery, and she has also made the cut this time. Miriam Crowley and Hannah Bowe — sister of Irish rugby international star Tommy — are the two from the Celtic Cup 18 to miss out here, with Nikki Symmons — who could pass the 150-cap landmark at this tournament — and Nicci Daly returning. Both were unavailable last weekend due to Loreto’s EuroHockey Club Champions Challenge II preparations.