Ireland's National Women's Coach (Interim) has today announced his 18 for the upcoming Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I tournament taking place in UCD, Dublin from September 29th to October 7th.

Commenting on his selection Denis Pritchard said "Given the calibre of teams involved in this tournament it is a really exciting challenge for this emerging squad. Given the short preparation time the players have been excellent in their application and focus, led well by the more experienced players the younger ones have made a serious impact  and we will enter the competition with a good team spirit and fearing no-one."

This world ranking event sees top teams come to Dublin including recent Olympians South Africa, USA, Belgium and Australia as well as Ireland, Scotland, Wales and India. The tournament is comprised of two pools of four before culminating into a quarter finals play off stage. Pool A sees top seeds Australia compete against Belgium, India and Wales while Pool B pits hosts Ireland against, South Africa, Scotland and the USA.
The Electric Ireland FIH Women's Champion's Challenge 1 will give the teams World Ranking points, while the winner of the tournament will be automatically qualified for the next Women's Champions Trophy.

Ireland Squad
Emma Gray GK (Hermes)
Pamela Smithwick GK (Old Alex)
Sinead McCarthy (Hermes)
Audrey O'Flynn (Hermes)
Niamh Atcheler (U.C.D.)
Michelle Harvey (Pegasus)
Nicola Gray  (U.C.D)
Brenda Flannery (U.C.D)**
Emma Smyth  (Railway  Union)
Nikki Symmons  (Loreto)
Lisa Jacob  (Hermes)
Chloe Watkins  (U.C.D)
Anna O'Flanagan (U.C.D.)
Miriam Crowley (U.C.C)
Katie Mullan  (U.C.D.)
Aine Connery  (Hermes)**
Alex Speers  (Railway Union) Captain
Niamh Small  (Loreto)

** (subject to fitness test)

Reserves (not in order)
Nikki Evans  (U.C.D)
Leah Ewart  (U.C.D)
Naomi Carroll  (Catholic Institute)

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Schedule:
Pool A: Australia; India; Belgium; Wales
Pool B: South Africa; USA: Ireland; Scotland

Saturday 29th September  10.00  India  v Wales
     12.30  Australia v Belgium
     15.00  South Africa v Ireland
     17.30  USA  v Scotland
Sunday 30th September   10.30  Belgium v Wales
     13.00  India  v Australia
     15.30  Ireland  v Scotland
     18.00  USA  v South Africa
Monday 1st October   REST DAY
Tuesday 2nd October   10.30  Belgium v India
     13.00  Australia v Wales
     15.30  South Africa v Scotland
     18.00  Ireland  v USA
Wednesday 3rd October  REST DAY
Thursday 4th October   10.30 QF 1st Pool A v 4th Pool B (Match 13)
     13.00 QF 2nd Pool A  v 3rd Pool A (Match 14)
     15.30 QF 2nd Pool A v 3rd Pool B (Match 15)
     18.00 QF 1st Pool B v 4th Pool A (Match 16)
Friday 5th October   REST DAY
Saturday 6th October   10.00 5/8 Loser Match 13 v Loser Match 14 (Match 17)
     12.30  5/8 Loser Match 15 v Loser Match 16 (Match 18)
     15.00 SF Winner Match 13 v  Winner Match 14 (Match 19)
     17.30 SF Winner Match 15 v  Winner Match 16 (Match 20)
Sunday 7th October   
9.00 7/8 Loser Match 17 v Loser Match 18
     11.30 5/6 Winner Match 17 v Winner Match 18
     14.00 3/4 Loser Match 19 v Loser Match 20
     16.30 FINAL Winner Match 19 v Winner Match 20