O’Flynn set for first Irish cap

UCC skipper Audrey O’Flynn and Loreto’s Nicci Daly are both in line for their first Irish caps after being named in Gene Muller’s 17-strong squad for a double-header with Belgium this weekend.

O’Flynn has made eight Ireland A appearances since breaking into the squad at the start of October 2008. Her clubmate with the Cork students, the 43-times capped Julia O’Halloran, is also in line for a return, following a year’s absence due to study commitments.

Muller said: “The matches against Belgium will be our first competitive international matches since the European championships in August last year.

“I was very happy with our progress in the week long training camp in Spain and the team are looking forward to playing international matches.

Audrey O'Flynn: UCC captain set for Irish debut against Belgium. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“Belgium are an emerging force in European hockey and have recently attained A division status. The matches will be very competitive and good preparation for the World Cup qualifiers in April this year.”

Ireland will play on Friday and Sunday in games currently scheduled to be played in Nivelles, though predicted weather conditions could cause a change in venue.

Meanwhile, Irish senior men’s coach Paul Revington has annouced a squad of 24 players and seven “peripheral” squad members who he will work with over the next six months.

With Ireland’s next major tournament over a year away, the primary focus will be on strength and conditioning as the panel plays out their club commitments for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.

Revington said: “The breakdown of 24 and seven indicates a squad ranking at present (after 2009) but also a willingness to keep the squad open and competitive for 2010.”

Ireland women’s squad to play Belgium: Emma Clarke (Leicester), Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney), Lizzie Colvin (Loreto), Nicci Daly (Loreto), Roisin Flinn (Old Alex), Mary Goode (Bray), Louisa Healy (Loreto), Michelle Harvey (Pegasus), Lisa Jacob (UCD), Rachel Mulligan (Armagh), Audrey O’Flynn (UCC), Shirley McCay (Dragons), Julia O’Halloran (UCC), Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins), Niamh Small (Loreto), Emma Smyth (Railway Union), Nikki Symmons (Loreto).

Ireland men’s central panel: David Ames (Cookstown), Joe Brennan (Glenanne), Stephen Butler (Glenanne), Chris Cargo (Reading), Peter Caruth (Annadale), Timothy Cockram (Lisnagarvey), Mitch Darling (Leuven), Paul Gleghorne (Loughborough), Ronan Gormley (Pembroke), Conor Harte (Pembroke), David Harte (Pembroke), David Hobbs (Cork Church of Ireland), John Jackson (Loughborough), John Jermyn (Cork Church of Ireland), Timmy Lewis (Pembroke), Eugene Magee (Dragons), Michael Maguire (Three Rock Rovers), Phelie Maguire (Leuven), Geoff McCabe (Dragons), Andy McConnell (Pembroke), Graham Shaw (Glenanne), Alan Sothern (Pembroke), Iain Walker (YMCA), Michael Watt (Dragons)
Peripheral squad: Peter Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers), Alan Giles (Pembroke), Andrew Herbert (Cork Church of Ireland), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge), Adam Pritchard (Pembroke), Simon Todd (Mossley), Gareth Watkins (Monkstown)