Under-21 quartet in senior squad

Four of the Irish under-21 hockey squad that competed in August's European Championships in Belfast have been promoted to the senior national panel, picked this week by coach Riet Kuper ahead of the first weekend training session of the season later this month.

Hermes' Caitriona Carey joins six of her club mates on the panel, with Trinity's Anya Bowers, Portadown's Jill Orbinson and Shauna Parkhill of Randalstown also winning senior call-ups.

Also included in the panel are goalkeepers Sandra O'Gorman (Muckross) and Sharon Hutchinson (Harlequins), both of whom will be available for Irish duty.

Meanwhile, Klara Poloprutska is on the verge of becoming the first overseas player to represent Ulster at under-21 level after she was named in a 20-strong panel picked to prepare for January's under-21 interprovincial tournament in Galway.

The 19-year-old, who joined Ballymoney at the start of the season, has represented the Czech Republic at under-21 and senior level, and played against Ireland in the European Nations' Cup Qualifier in Finland and the Under-21 European Championships during the summer.

Meanwhile, Leinster umpire Karen Eppel, who recently received her FIH umpiring award, has appealed to clubs to put forward people willing to train as umpires, in light of the shortage of available officials for Leinster Senior A and B matches this season. Any one willing to volunteer their services can contact Eppel at 087-2476492.