Ireland's Senior Women's Hockey Coach Gene Muller today announced his selected eighteen for the Irish tour to New Zealand. Ireland's women's team will travel to Wellington, New Zealand, on 22 February returning home on the 2 March, this short trip will see them compete in four matches, two against China and two against New Zealand as they continue to prepare for their WorldHockey Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Canada in April / May.
Commenting was Coach Muller, ÔÇ£This tour is probably the most important element of our preparation for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament because of the nature of the opponents we are playing. New Zealand and China are both top ten teams and have both already qualified for the Beijing Olympics, we have two Asian teams to play in the Qualifiers so it is very important to get play against these skilful and fast paced teams.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£This tour would not have been possible without our sponsor ESB, we are enormously grateful to them and I feel they have increased our chances of qualification because of this tourÔÇØ, continued Muller.
Gene Muller's selection sees the re-inclusion of Loreto's Niamh Small after South Africa and Munster's Hollie Moffett retain her position after a good performance in Spain. Bridget McKeever also makes her way back into the squad after missing out on the recent trip to Spain due to work commitments.
Ireland Squad, Wellington New Zealand 22 February ÔÇô 2 March:
Mary Goode (GK), Louisa Healy (GK), Roisin Flinn, Eimear Cregan, Emma Clarke, Emma Stewart, Bridget McKeever, Shirley McCay, Jenny McDonagh, Cathy McKean, Julia O'Halloran, Ciara O'Brien, Nikki Symmons, Lisa Jacob, Niamh Small, Clare Parkhill, Hollie Moffett, Louisa Moore.
Match Schedule:
26 February 18:30, Ireland ÔÇô China
27 February 18:30, Ireland ÔÇô New Zealand
29 February 18:30, Ireland ÔÇô China
1 March 14:30, Ireland ÔÇô New Zealand
Source: Irish Hockey Association
