Teenagers can stake attacking claim

CORK’S Julia O’Halloran is the big absentee from Gene Muller’s latest Irish centralised training panel announced yesterday.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder, an ever-present in the European Championships and Champions Challenge, withdrew from the programme in the past few weeks, just prior to the panel resuming full training mode.

With Jean McDonnell also omitted from the selection, it has opened the door for teenagers Deirdre Duke and Gillian Pinder to possibly stake a claim for a place due to the reduction inforward options in the latest selection. They, along with Leah Ewart, have been added to the panel on a probation basis. Goalkeeper Louisa Healy, meanwhile, is available after two years out in which she focused on increasing her standing in the Gardaí.

After a couple of weeks of fitness testing, the panel resumed full training last week before playing a training tie against the Leinster U16 boys’ selection in Belfield.

It is the beginning of preparations for an Olympic qualifying tournament in the spring which looks likely to be played in Japan in April, though the IHA are still hopeful of bringing the competition to Dublin.

Ireland’s next opportunity to test themselves in a competitive setting is in Argentina this December where they will compete in two four nations tournaments.

IRELAND: Niamh Atcheler (UCD), Hannah Bowe (Slough), Emma Clarke (Leicester), Aine Connery (Hermes), Lizzie Colvin (Loreto), Miriam Crowley (Hermes), Nicci Daly (Loreto), Nicola Evans (Railway Union), Emma Gray (Hermes), Louisa Healy (Loreto), Michelle Harvey (Pegasus), Lisa Jacob (Hermes), Sinead McCarthy (Hermes), Shirley McCay (Old Alex), Anna O’ Flanagan (UCD), Audrey O’Flynn (Hermes), Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins), Niamh Small (Loreto), Emma Smyth (Railway Union), Alex Speers (Railway Union), Nikki Symmons (Loreto), Pam Smithwick (Old Alex), Chloe Watkins (UCD). Probation: Deirdre Duke (UCD), Leah Ewart (UCD), Gillian Pinder (Hermes).