All roads lead to Rome for quartet
Uncapped players Louise Henderson, Zanya Dahl, Sinead Dooley and Katherine Elkins have all been named in Ireland’s squad which will begin preparations for the World Cup qualifying competition in Rome next April.
The retirements of Lynsey McVicker and Jenny Burke and study commitments of Hannah Bowe, Emma Stewart and Deirdre Casey meant coach Riet Kuper had to look for replacements and she was impressed by what she saw at the women’s Interprovincial Tournament this month.
“The squad has been extended with some experienced club and Interprovincial players. In my opinion they are a very solid, experienced and committed group of excellent players, who will work towards one goal – qualification for the world championship,” said Kuper.
Women’s squad: S Beaney, K Smyth (Pegasus); E Bromell (Catholic Institute); C Carey, L Caulfield, F Connery, K Farrell, J Hodgins (Hermes); E Cregan, J Orbinson (Push); Z Dahl (Old Alex); S Dooley, K O’Brien (Railway Union); K Elkin, C Parkhill (Randalstown); M Goode (Cork Harlequins); L Healy, K McKean, N Symmons (Loreto); L Henderson (Pembroke Wanderers); J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins); B McKeever, A Platt (Ballymoney).
Men’s squad: A Barbour (Cookstown); J Black, M Black, S Nicholson (Cork Harlequins); P Brown, M Irwin (Instonians), K Burns, D Hobbs, J Jermyn, M Ruddle (Cork C of I); S Butler, G Shaw (Glenanne); T Cockram, M Raphael, M Robinson, B Waring (Lisnagarvey); M Gleghorne (Loughborough Stuents); R Gormley, J Sherriff (Pembroke Wanderers); C Henderson (Corinthian); G Lennox, E Magee (Banbridge); I Lewers (Annadale); P Maguire (Dublin University).
