Smith names Irish Womens Squad

Irish Women's Coach Darren Smith has named a strong squad for summer training camps and upcoming test matches vs. Scotland & South Africa prior to the squads participation in TriFinance EuroHockey Championships 2013 from August 17th - 25th in Belgium. The Irish coach has selected his panel following extensive review of the Electric Ireland Irish Senior Squad International performances in 2012 & recently in Valencia at World League 2 as well as throughout this seasons hectic Irish Hockey League Schedule.

Smith's squad includes some new and returning faces with Lizzie Colvin, Deirdre Duke and Gillian Pinder all returning to the squad following education commitments abroad while uncapped UCD midfielder Emily Beatty joins up with the Green Army officially for the first time.

Megan Frazer of Ballymoney returns from finishing her college degree at University of Maryland and will be fully assessed over the June period while training & playing with the squad. Six players are also included in a development squad that will have the opportunity to train with the team over the course of the summer.

Speaking to hockey.ie Darren Smith said "I am looking forward to the summer and the opportunity to work closely with both the squads as we prepare for the European Championships in Belgium. There are some new players included which will provide additional competition for places as we aim towards Rio 2016. I am excited to see how well they will fit into the style of play that we will adopt in the coming years. We have some good challenges coming up against Scotland, South Africa, Wales, Germany & Canada and these will provide the perfect environment to work with the team in developing our game."

Smith continued 'With competition for places in the squad so high and the opportunity to integrate some new players into the squad, it unfortunately means that hard decisions are made around other more established players. In particular, experienced International players like Cliodhna Sargent, Sinead McCarthy, Miriam Crowley & Aine Connery who have been fantastic servants to the Green Army and Irish Hockey have missed out on this occasion. As with any performance based decisions, we never close the door on any player returning in the future.'

Ireland will play Scotland & South Africa in Edinburgh on 11th/12th June and will also have additional test matches vs Wales, Germany & Canada later in the Summer with specific match squad details to be published in due course.

Electric Ireland Irish Women's Squad 2013

1. Niamh Atcheler (UCD)
2. Emily Beatty (UCD)
3. Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute)
4. Lizzie Colvin (Loreto)
5. Nicci Daly (Loreto)
6. Kate Dillon (Railway Union)
7. Deirdre Duke (UCD)
8. Nikki Evans (UCD)
9. Brenda Flannery (UCD)
10. Megan Frazer (Ballymoney)
11. Emma Gray (Hermes)
12. Nicola Gray (UCD)
13. Michelle Harvey (Pegasus)
14. Lisa Jacob (Hermes)
15. Shirley McCay (Old Alex)
16. Ali Meeke (Loreto)
17. Katie Mullan (UCD)
18. Audrey O'Flynn (Hermes)
19. Anna O'Flanagan (UCD)
20. Grace O'Flanagan (Railway Union)
21. Gillian Pinder (Hermes)
22. Niamh Small (Loreto)
23. Pamela Smithwick (Old Alex)
24. Emma Smyth (Railway Union)
25. Alex Speers, (Railway Union)
26. Nikki Symmons (Loreto)
27. Chloe Watkins (UCD)

Electric Ireland Irish Women's Development Squad 2013

1. Chloe Brown (Ards)
2. Erika Hinkson (Old Alex)
3. Zara Delany (Railway Union)
4. Kate Lloyd (Railway Union)
5. Vanessa Surgeoner (Pegasus)
6. Sammy-Jo Greer (Ballymoney)

Electric Ireland Irish Women's Squad to play Scotland/South Africa on 11th & 12th June 2013

1. Niamh Atcheler (UCD)
2. Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute)
3. Kate Dillon (Railway Union)
4. Deirdre Duke (UCD)
5. Megan Frazer (Ballymoney)
6. Nicola Gray (UCD)
7. Michelle Harvey (Pegasus)
8. Lisa Jacob (Hermes)
9. Shirley McCay (Old Alex)
10. Audrey O'Flynn (Hermes)
11. Anna O'Flanagan (UCD)
12. Gillian Pinder (Hermes)
13. Niamh Small (Loreto)
14. Pamela Smithwick (Old Alex)
15. Emma Smyth (Railway Union)
16. Alex Speers (Railway Union)
17. Chloe Watkins (UCD)