Hook Hockey

Irish U-16s set for English triple date

Ireland’s preparations for the EuroHockey Youth Nations U-16 championships continues this weekend as the boys and girls follow up games Austria with a three-game series each against England in Lilleshall.

Both sides will travel with 18 players with a wealth of Leinster-based talent on either side. For the girl’s, three of the Alexandra College first team panel which won the Kate Russell will feature with sharp-shooter Anna Roopnarinesingh joined by the midfield mechanations of Amber Gleeson and defender Rachel Gray.

Sara Quill, who has featured for the Corinthian first team at times this term, and Sarah Patton – recently returned from European club duty with Hermes – also bring high level experience.

Dual-star Elena Tice impressed last weekend against the Austrians at left-back and has an interesting pedigree as the world’s second youngest cricket international, having made her Irish senior debut at just 13 and 272 days.

Hermes’ Jenna Volpert and Old Alex’s Emma Duncan – sister of Railway Union’s Jeremy – both have Leinster club connections but play in the Isle of Man and South East school Kilkenny College, respectively, for their school’s hockey.

On the boy’s side, nine of Leinster’s interpro winning side make this weekend’s selection with a quartet of Wesley’s U-16 schools Junior Cup side included.

James Carr missed out on making the blues team last October but has impressed coach Miles Warren and his support staff throughout the season to earn his call-up along with Sandford Park’s Hugh Lavery for the goalkeeping slots.

Neil Byrne is one from outside the school’s system called up, the St Colmcilles student – where Irish women’s international Aine Connery taught last year – picking up his formative skills with the Glenanne underage setup. The combative skills of Andrew Ramsay, meanwhile, are from the Avoca/Newpark nexus.

Luke Madeley returns for a second year and is among a group of three Three Rock players, along with Darragh Walsh and Ben McCrea, included, while St Andrew’s provide Jordan Larmour, Carr and Jazze Henry.

The Lisnagarvey conveyor-belt continues to produce, too, in big numbers as Ulster skipper Matthew Sullivan is part of the panel along with Jack Wilson, Jack Henderson and Sean Murray from the Comber Road club.

Electric Ireland under 16 Girls: Aisling Cronin (Loreto Wexford), Emma Duncan (Kilkenny College/Old Alex), Edel Nyland (Ursline Convent, Thurles/Catholic Institute), Clodagh Moloney (Crescent Comprehensive/Catholic Institue), Eimear Ryan (Laurel Hill Colaiste/Catholic Institute), Amber Gleeson (Alexandra College/Old Alex), Jenna Volpert (Isle of Man/Hermes), Rachel Gray (Alexandra College/Old Alex), Anna Roopnarinesingh (Alexandra College/Old Alex), Sara Quill (Wesley College/Corinthian), Elena Tice (St Gerards), Sarah Patton (Loreto Dalkey/Hermes), Ayeshia Mc Ferran (Larne Grammar/Randalstown), Kathryn Edgar (Tandragee JH/Lurgan), Emma Kernoghan (Ballymena Academy/Ballymena), Ruth Maguire (Larne Grammar/Ballymena), Zoe Wilson (Ballyclare High/Randalstown), Naomi Costley (Lurgan College/Lurgan)

Match schedule for Electric Ireland under 16 Girls
Saturday, June 2: England v Ireland 6pm
Sunday, June 3: England v Ireland 3:30pm
Monday, June 4: England v Ireland 12pm

Under 16 Boys: James Carr (St Andrews/Monkstown), Hugh Lavery (Sandford Park/Pembroke), Luke Madeley (Wesley/TRR), Matthew Sullivan (Friends/Lisnagarvey), Peter McKibbin (Regent House), Ben McCrea (Wesley/TRR), Darragh Walsh (Wesley/TRR), Sean Murray (Wallace/LIsnagarvey), Jazze Henry (St Andrews/Monkstown), John McKee (Banbridge Academy/Banbridge), Alex Burns (Midleton/Cork C of I), Simon Wolfe (Ashton/Cork C of I), Jack Wilson (Wallace/Lisnagarvey), Jack Henderson (Friends/Lisnagarvey), Andrew Smyth (Drumragh/Cookstown), Jordan Larmour (St Andrews), Neil Byrne (St. Colmcille’s/Glenanne), Andrew Ramsay (Newpark/Avoca)

Match Schedule
Saturday, June 2: England v Ireland, 6.30pm
Sunday, June 3: England v Ireland 5:30pm
Monday, June 4: England v Ireland 12pm