GINA NILAND, the Irish number one, has been declared fully fit and will lead Ireland's challenge in the Fed Cup in Antalya, Turkey next month. The team shows no changes from that which finished runners-up to Sweden in their group in Belfast last year.
Subsequently the Limerick, player, who is about to take up a prestigious coaching position at Millfleld School in Ennland, was sidelined after an operation on her left foot. She has shown no ill effects in practice and is confident of regaining her best form in competition.
The other three members of thee side are Lesley O'Halloran, Zara Wolselely and Karen Nugent.
Nugent, whose career has been plagued by injury and illness, welcomes the opportunity of competing at this level once more. Wolselely, from Belfast and currently studying at Trinity College Dublin, will be making her debut in the competition.
Ireland stand a rare chance of figuring in the same group as Britain, another of the 26 teams scheduled to assemble for competition on May 5th. The draw will be made on site with two groups of six nations and two of seven. The top team in each group will be promoted to next year's EuroAfrican qualifying group one.
Britain, along with Norway, Portugal and Turkey, are among some of the teams fancied for promotion.
Domestic competition resumes this weekend at Riverview and Westwood in Dublin and at the Tennis Village in Cork.
