Ireland call up uncapped talents for two-game trip to us
The upcoming series provides a valuable opportunity to face high-calibre international opposition as preparations intensify ahead of the EuroHockey Championships in August. The USA and Ireland are no strangers to each other, having last met during Ireland's impressive Silver Medal campaign at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Chile earlier this year.
The squad features a number of players in line to potentially win their first senior international caps. Niamh Gowing (Railway Union) and Katie Larmour (Belfast Harlequins) have been rewarded for standout club seasons with call-ups to the senior squad. Also included is Amy Handcock, the highly rated 19-year-old UCD scholar who has continued to impress since starring for Ireland's U18 team last year. Another exciting inclusion is Jessica McMaster of Ulster Elks, who is named in a senior Ireland squad for the first time since 2017.
The squad also boasts a core of experienced leaders. Captain Sarah Hawkshaw and Róisín Upton return to the fold, both with deep ties to US hockey from their college years at the University of Massachusetts and University of Connecticut respectively. They are joined by the likes of Elena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin, and several other Irish International stalwarts.
Head Coach Gareth Grundie welcomed the opportunity the series presents: 'This is a great early opportunity to test ourselves against a strong USA side as we build toward the EuroHockey Championships in August. Playing top-level opposition away from home is exactly what we need at this stage of our preparations, and it's a valuable chance for both established players and new faces to challenge themselves in a competitive environment.'
Both games will take place at 10:00 local time (15:00 Irish Time) at UNC Charlotte, the home of USA Field Hockey's international programme, and will be streamed live on Hockey Ireland TV.
Ireland Women's Squad: Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Niamh Carey, Ellen Curran, Niamh Gowing, Christina Hamill, Amy Handcock, Sarah Hawkshaw (C), Emily Kealy, Katie Larmour, Katie McKee, Hannah McLoughlin, Jessica McMaster, Holly Micklem (GK), Lizzie Murphy (GK), Elena Neill, Siofra O'Brien, Caoimhe Perdue, Mikayla Power, Caitlin Sherin, Sarah Torrans, Róisín Upton.
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