Leinster's Jenny Osborne and Cathy McKean and Ulster pair Shauna Parkhill and Angela Platt took another step towards senior international honours yesterday when they were named in the Irish squad for next month's training camp and matches against Britain, Germany and Spain in Barcelona.
The four are the only uncapped players in Riet Kuper's 21-strong panel which includes all but two (Sarah Kelleher and Sharon Hutchinson) of the squad that played in August's European finals in Germany.
While Kelleher will remain unavailable for selection for the season, Hutchinson - ruled out for now because of work commitments - will be back to challenge for one of the two goalkeeping spots for the Olympic qualifier in March. Pressure of studies has, however, forced the withdrawal of Trinity's Anya Bowers. Platt has been chosen ahead of Loreto's Avril Copeland and Pembroke Wanderers' Nicola King as the second goalkeeper for Barcelona but both have been asked to continue attending training sessions and are not yet out of contention for a place in the Olympic qualifier squad.
Laura Brown is recalled to the squad and is sure to add to her senior caps in Barcelona where the team will play at least six internationals (one against Britain, two against Germany and three or four against Spain) over their 11-day stay.
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