Munster four in Muller’s plans

Four Munster players have been included in Gene Muller’s Ireland training squad as they begin their build-up to next April’s World Cup qualifier in Chile.

While the Cork Harlequins duo of Eimear Cregan and Cliodhna Sargent are established squad members at this stage, the inclusion of UCC’s uncapped defender Audrey O’Flynn and the return of club-mate Julia O’Halloran to the panel was less predictable.

43-times capped O’Halloran has re-claimed her place after a one-year break from the international scene due to study commitments, while College captain O’Flynn has been rewarded for a stallar year that has seen her emerge as one of the country’s most dangerous short corner threats.

Julia O'Halloran: back in Ireland fold after a one-year absence due to study commitments. Picture: Adrian Boehm

She is one of four uncapped players included – alongside Leinster trio Niamh Atcheler, Nicci Daly and Helen Stevenson – while Louisa Healy, Rachel Mulligan and Niamh Small are others who are back in contention.

Muller will trim his squad to 18 for April’s assignment in South America, and Cregan – if fully fit – is the only Munster player guaranteed a place. Sargent and O’Flynn are likely to be battling with Lauren Barr and Michelle Harvey for two centre-back slots, with veteran Ballymoney defender Bridget Cleland a shoo-in.

Who O’Halloran is competing against depends on what plans Muller has for her. Much of her Ireland career has been spent up front, but she plays midfield for College. Both areas are extremely competitive, with the team’s totems, Cregan and Nikki Symmons, first on any team-sheet.

The squad also features a number of players currently enjoying hockey experiences outside Ireland. Megan Frazer – a cousin of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson – is included following an impressive start to her career with the University of Maryland Terrapins, with whom she netted a hat-trick against Penn State in just her third game for the club.

Emma Clarke has helped Leicester to the top of the English hockey league – they have a 100% record from ten games -  while Alex Speers and Shirley McCay have been part of the Dragons’ run to third in the Belgian national league.

The selection comes following a series of training days – most recently last Sunday – and will now see Muller and his team work with the panel over a series of training camps both at home and abroad over the coming months.

Muller believes there will be a serious battle among the players to pin down one of the final 18 places for Chile: “I am delighted with the quality and depth of the squad we have selected to prepare for the World Cup Qualifier in late April 2010. We will have our work cut out for us to perform well against Australia, Chile, Scotland , Malaysia and Mexico.

“The competition in the squad to make the tournament 18 will be fierce and this bodes well for us.”

Ireland (15th) ranked second in their group will compete against Australia (5th), Chile (16th), Scotland (23rd), Malaysia (22nd) and Mexico (36th). Only the winner of which will secure a spot in the 2010 Hockey World Cup.

Ireland women’s training squad: Niamh Atcheler (Hermes), Lauren Barr (Ballymoney), Emma Clarke (Leicester), Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney), Eimear Cregan ( Cork Harlequins), Lizzie Colvin (Loreto), Nicci Daly (Loreto), Roisin Flinn (Old Alex), Megan Frazer (University of Maryland Terrapins), Mary Goode (Bray), Michelle Harvey (Pegasus), Louisa Healy (Loreto), Lisa Jacob (UCD), Shirley McCay (Dragons), Rachel Mulligan (Armagh), Audrey O’Flynn (UCC), Julia O’Halloran (UCC), Cliodhna Sargent ( Cork Harlequins), Niamh Small (Loreto), Emma Smyth (Railway Union), Alex Speers (Dragons), Helen Stevenson (Railway Union), Emma Stewart (Armagh), Nikki Symmons (Loreto)