Dublin, 22 May 2025: Hockey Ireland is pleased to announce the Senior Women’s squad set to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina for a two-match series against the USA on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. 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.
The upcoming series provides a valuable opportunity for the Green Army 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.”
Ireland Women’s Squad:
Charlotte Beggs
Michelle Carey
Niamh Carey
Ellen Curran
Niamh Gowing
Christina Hamill
Amy Handcock
Sarah Hawkshaw (Captain)
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
Both matches will be streamed live on Hockey Ireland TV, with coverage starting shortly before the 15:00 Irish Time pushbacks on June 7 and 8.
Saturday, June 7
Ireland vs USA
15:00 Irish Time | UNC Charlotte
Sunday, June 8
Ireland vs USA
15:00 Irish Time | UNC Charlotte