Today, Ireland's Senior Women's Squad will make the trip to Amsterdam for their EuroHockey Nations Championship campaign which begins this Saturday 22nd August.
"We have trained very hard for this tournament. The players and staff have been fantastic especially during the last 3 months of intensive training. The players are all healthy and fit going into the tournament." Commented Coach Gene Muller earlier this morning.
Ireland (15th) will face some of the world's best in their pool including Germany (3rd), Spain (7th) and Scotland (22nd) with whom they have enjoyed a close rivalry with over the years. The two Celtic Nations have competed against each other 128 times; Ireland has secured 48 wins, 35 draws and endured 45 losses to the Scottish which will mean their second match of the tournament on Sunday 23rd will no doubt be a close affair.
Coach Muller is very much aware of the challenge that lies ahead but is clear about Ireland's objectives "The first aim is to retain A division status in Europe."
With all the months of training, practice matches and recent internationals Muller has the right to show confidence in his side "We are in a very tough pool with Germany, Spain, and Scotland and we will be tested in all of these matches. I am confident that if we perform well, we will stay in the A division. If we are playing well, we can challenge for World Cup qualification by making the semi finals of the Europeans."
Pool A offers no easier competition with The Netherlands (1st), England (8th), Azerbaijan (13th) and Russia (23rd) all vying for semi final spots which will guarantee an automatic qualification to the World Cup as a top four finisher.
Ireland's campaign starts this Saturday against Germany, followed by Scotland on Sunday before they take on Spain in their final pool game on Tuesday (25th). The classification and finals will take place on the 27th and 29th August.
Lauren Barr Ballymoney
Emma Clarke Ulster Elks
Bridget Cleland Ballymoney
Lizzie Colvin Loreto
Eimear Cregan (Capt.) Cork Harlequins
Roisin Flinn UCD
Megan Frazer Ballymoney
Mary Goode Bray
Emma Gray Hermes
Michelle Harvey Pegasus
Lisa Jacob UCD
Shirley McCay Ulster Elks
Cathy McKean Loreto
Cliodhna Sargent Cork Harlequins
Alex Speers Pegasus
Emma Smyth Railway Union
Emma Stewart Armagh
Nikki Symmons Loreto
Staff: Gene Muller; Sally Ann Fanagan; Denis Prichard; Karen Coughlin; Rudi Wortmann; Ian McKeown
Match Schedule
No Venue | Euro Nations Championship Women Pool B (National Ladies) | Match Report(s)
No Venue | Euro Nations Championship Women Pool B (National Ladies) | Match Report(s)
No Venue | Euro Nations Championship Women Pool B (National Ladies) | Match Report(s)
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