The Irish Women’s squad will travel to Bisham Abbey, London, tomorrow as part of their preparation for Tokyo Olympic Games this summer. A twenty strong squad will travel on the 22nd of April, with four matches against Great Britain scheduled to take place between the 22nd of April and 2nd of May.
All of the games are being played behind closed doors and will not be streamed, both Hockey Ireland and Great Britain Hockey will share the results on social media at the end of each day. The matches will all be uncapped.
The squad travelling is as follows:
| Carey | Michelle | Leinster Midfielder Uncapped |
| Carroll | Naomi | Munster Striker 111 |
| Colvin | Lizzie | Ulster Midfielder 196 |
| Curran | Ellen | Leinster Midfielder 24 |
| Daly | Nicola | Leinster Midfielder 189 |
| Duke | Deirdre | Leinster Midfielder 141 |
| Evans | Nicola | Leinster Striker 198 |
| Hawkshaw | Sarah | Leinster Midfielder 33 |
| Malseed | Zara | Ulster Striker Uncapped |
| Matthews | Hannah | Leinster Defender 147 |
| McAuley | Sarah | Leinster Defender Uncapped |
| McCay | Shirley | Ulster Defender 306 |
| McLoughlin | Hannah | Leinster Defender 14 |
| Mullan | Katie | Ulster Midfielder 193 |
| Murphy | Elizabeth | Leinster Goalkeeper 13 |
| O’Flanagan | Anna | Leinster Striker 207 |
| O’Flanagan | Grace | Leinster Goalkeeper 36 |
| Perdue | Caoimhe | Munster Defender Uncapped |
| Torrans | Sarah | Leinster Striker 26 |
| Upton | Roisin | Munster Defender 76 |
| Watkins | Chloe | Leinster Midfielder 226 |
Notable absences from the squad include Ayeisha McFerran who remains on duty with Dutch Hoofdklasse club SV Kampong. Both Megan Frazer and Elena Tice remain at home managing injuries, while Ellen Curran and Caoimhe Purdue are called up to the squad.
Speaking on the trip announcement, Performance Director Adam Grainger said, “We’re very happy to have been able to travel for these matches. Great Britain are obviously a very strong side so this will give the squad more opportunities to test themselves against challenging opposition ahead of an intense summer of international hockey.
It’s been a challenging process with so many moving parts; the changing restrictions and ensuring we are minimising the risk of COVID to our athletes and their families while also providing them with the best opportunity to perform at the Olympics this summer. The team have been excellent in dealing with the challenges the current situation has presented to their programme.”
Match dates and times:
- Tuesday 27 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 10:00 BST
- Wednesday 28 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 18:00 BST
- Friday 30 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 14:00 BST
- Sunday 2 May: Great Britain v Ireland, 13:00 BST