Versatile Emma Buckley looks set to win first Irish cap in Germany

Emma Buckley looks set to continue a trend of young Ireland senior debutants as the Mount Mercy College student is poised to win her first cap next week.

The 18-year-old Cork Harlequins goalkeeper will need to take some time out from her Leaving Certificate studies to potentially make her Ireland debut against Germany in a pair of test matches in Dusseldorf.

It’s the latest in a meteroic rise for the Cork native, who was an intercounty and interpro soccer and camogie player as well as a highly-ranked taekwondo practicioner before belatedly turning to hockey as a goalkeeper just four years ago, while in second year.