Thursday, November 27 – Dublin: The Ireland Women’s Hockey team has been officially announced by head coach Gareth Grundie ahead of their upcoming debut in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Dublin.
After back-to-back silver medals in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, the IRL Women gained promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League for Season 7, the most elite annual hockey competition, where they will be pitted against the top nations in the world. The side begin their campaign on home soil when they meet Belgium [#3] and England [#8] in the Sport Ireland Campus from December 9th to December 14th in front of a sold-out crowd.
Alongside the Women’s competition, three Men’s teams will also compete in Dublin with 2025 European Champions Germany [#2], Belgium [#3] and England [#8] also getting their campaigns underway.
The Ireland line-up sees Elizabeth Murphy and Holly Micklem maintain their place in the Irish net, with the former’s reputation as one of the World’s top keepers growing with every appearance.
In front of them Roisin Upton will once again marshal the defence with fellow Munster native Caoimhe Perdue also named. Alongside them are the ever-present figures of Hannah McLoughlin, Ellen Curran and Sarah McAuley whom are all enjoying great seasons thus far in Europe, with Belfast Harlequins’ Katie Larmour, Loreto’s Lisa Mulcahy and Caitlin Sherin also named.
In midfield, captain Sarah Hawkshaw will lead the side. She will be flanked by Michelle Carey, Charlotte Beggs and Christina Hamill. Mia Jennings is also named in the squad and is expected to make er senior international debut in Dublin, with Jessica McMaster also returning to the squad and set to make her first appearance in a major competition at senior level.
Up front, the ever-present figure of Katie Mullan leads the line as she hopes to reach the exceptional milestone of 250 senior caps should she play in all four matches. Alongside her is young Mikayla Power, Sarah Torrans and Niamh Carey who will all undoubtedly make an impact to Ireland’s attacking efforts.
Speaking after the announcement, head coach Gareth Grundie said:
“The group is very excited to get their FIH Hockey Pro League campaign underway. They have put in a lot of hard work to make it to this point, but now we have to show these top sides what we are made of and stake our claim amongst them.
The prospect of beginning this next phase on home soil is one that we are truly relishing. The response of the hockey community has blown us away, we are very excited to hear their voices on the sideline.”
IRL Senior Women’s Squad:
Charlotte Beggs
Niamh Carey
Michelle Carey
Ellen Curran
Aoife Glennon
Niamh Gowing
Christina Hamill
Sarah Hawkshaw (C)
Mia Jennings
Emily Kealy
Katie Larmour
Sarah McAuley
Hannah McLoughlin
Jessica McMaster
Holly Micklem
Lisa Mulcahy
Katie Mullan
Elizabeth Murphy
Caoimhe Perdue
Mikayla Power
Caitlin Sherin
Sarah Torrans
Roisin Upton
FIH Hockey Pro League Dublin – Fixtures
Tuesday, December 9th
MEN: Germany vs Belgium @ 11:30
WOMEN: England vs Belgium @ 14:00
Wednesday, December 10th
MEN: England vs Germany @ 11:30
WOMEN: Ireland vs Belgium @ 14:00
Thursday, December 11th
MEN: Belgium vs England @ 11:30
WOMEN: Ireland vs England @ 14:00
Friday, December 12th
MEN: Belgium vs Germany @ 11:30
WOMEN: Belgium vs England @ 14:00
Saturday, December 13th
MEN: Germany vs England @ 11:30
WOMEN: Ireland vs Belgium @ 14:00
Sunday, December 14th
MEN: England vs Belgium @ 11:00
WOMEN: Ireland vs England @ 14:00