The Irish Hockey Association today announced their women's panel and upcoming schedule in preparation for this year's European Nations Cup in Barcelona.
In a busy year, the Irish team will play 10 friendly games between now and the Nations Cup start, which takes place from September 1st-13th. After that, attentions will focus on preparations for the Olympic qualifier in Auckland, New Zealand next March.
Three of the 10 games will be played in Barcelona from August 3rd against Scotland, England and the Netherlands before competing in the Nations Cup the following month.
There were some squad changes after Jenny Burke announced her retirement from the international scene. The Hermes player gained 124 Ireland caps since making her debut against Russia in 1995. The last time she played for Ireland was in the World Cup in Perth, Australia towards the end of last year. She scored Ireland's only goal in their 1-0 win, coincidentally against Russia.
Trish Conway (Old Alexandra) returns to the squad after an absence of five years.
Meanwhile, Annette Fortune has been appointed as Senior Manager and takes over from Denise McCarthy who has retired. As a former player with Genesis Hockey Club, Fortnue has a wealth of hockey experience having represented Leinster, Irish U21s and the GB & Ireland Under 23 squad. She also holds a Level 2 Coaching Award.
The Irish Senior panel is:
Suzanne Beaney (Belfast Harlequins)
Elaine Bromell (Cork Harlequins)
Linda Caulfield (Hermes)
Fiona Connery (Hermes)
Patricia Conway (Old Alexandra)
Eimear Cregan (Uni. of Limerick)
Mary Goode (Pembroke Ws)
Nicky King (Old Alexandra)
Rachael Kohler (Cork Harlequins)
Katharine Maybin (Pegasus)
Jenny McDonough (Belfast Harlequins)
Cathy McKean (Loreto)
Bridget McKeever (Ballymoney)
Lynsey McVicker (Ballymoney)
Ciara O'Brien (UCD)
Linda O'Neill (UCD)
Jill Orbinson (Portadown)
Pamela Orr (Randalstown)
Angela Platt (Ballymoney)
Daphne Sixsmith (Hermes)
Nikki Symmons (Loreto)
Upcoming Fixtures:
Ireland v England Development Squad - Leicester July 5th (3pm)
Ireland v England Development Squad - Leicester July 6th (noon)
Ireland v Training Camp in Holland - Den Bosch July 16th
Ireland v Holland - Den Bosch July 20th (2.30pm)
Ireland v Scotland - Barcelona Aug 3rd (2.30pm)
Ireland v England - Barcelona Aug 4th (3pm)
Ireland v Netherlands - Barcelona Aug 5th (2pm)
Ireland v Wales - Cardiff Aug 9th (2pm)
Ireland v Scotland - Cardiff Aug 10th (10am)
Ireland v France - Cardiff Aug 11th (11am)