UCD pair get chance to shine as Muller names Irish squad
Following a disappointing European championships campaign, Ireland are Belgium-bound next March for their last shot at Olympic qualification.
Preparation time is therefore in short supply, but the team’s sponsors, ESB Electric Ireland, have helped fund this trip to South America, in which Ireland will play in two high-quality four nations tournaments also featuring India and South Africa.
However, Muller is without some leading lights for the trip; Cork woman Julia O’Halloran has stepped away from the national panel, while Emma Clarke, Nikki Symmons and Emma Smyth are unavailable and Lisa Jacob is also absent.
That gives chances to Anna O’Flanagan — Leinster’s top scorer so far this term — and Niamh Atcheler, who have been key fulcrums in UCD’s hugely impressive start to the campaign, which has seen the students topple IHL and Irish Senior champions Pegasus, Munster’s top dogs Catholic Institute and Loreto in the Leinster league.
Nicci Daly and Slough’s Hannah Bowe — sister of Irish rugby international star Tommy — are also back in the line-up, as is Nikki Evans.
Muller said: “Now that we know we are in the Belgium qualifier in March 2012, our preparation time is short, and the two Four Nations tournaments come at the right time for us in our preparation cycle.
“We are leaving behind more than 300 test caps worth of experience with Emma Clarke, Emma Smyth, and Nikki Symmons unavailable.
“While there are no new caps in the team, these tournaments do give us a chance to see less experienced players like Niamh Atcheler, Anna O’ Flanagan, Hannah Bowe, Nicci Daly, Miriam Crowley and Nikki Evans against top class opponents before settling on our Olympic qualifying team.”
IRELAND senior women’s squad for Four Nations tournaments, Argentina (club/caps): N Atcheler, H Bowe, A Connery, L Colvin, M Crowley, N Daly, N Evans, E Gray (GK), M Harvey, S McCarthy, S McCay, A O’Flanagan, A O’Flynn, C Sargent, N Small, A Speers (capt), P Smithwick (GK) C Watkins.
