Nine of the Ireland A panel that played England last week have been included in Rudi Wortmann’s Ireland U-21 selection to play in the women’s Celtic Cup next weekend.

Between the posts, Leinster U-21 pair Rachel Barnett and Niamh O’Connor move into the panel, numbering among ten players in the squad to have worn provincial blue this year.

Among them are Old Alex speed merchants Aisling Naughton and Emily Beatty, both of whom are Leaving Cert students this summer.

Once again, Irish Senior Cup winners UCD provide the nucleus of the team with Nicola Gray, Brenda Flannery, Sarah Greene and Leah Ewart retainied from the A panel.

UCC’s Olivia Roycroft, Catholic Institute’s Naomi Carroll, Loreto’s Hannah Matthews and Hayley Mulcahy and Railway Union’s Orla Fox are the others to stay from the ‘A’ game.

Ireland U-21 women’s panel for the Celtic Cup
Rachel Barnett (Railway Union), Niamh O’Connor (Genesis), Natalie Barr (Lurgan), Nicola Gray (UCD), Brenda Flannery (UCD), Sarah Greene (UCD), 
Orla Fox (Railway Union), Leah Ewart (UCD),
 Ali Meeke (Loreto), Hannah Matthews (Loreto), Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute), Aine Curran (UCC), Aisling Naughton (Old Alex), Olivia Roycroft (UCC), Hayley Mulcahy (Loreto), Emily Beatty (Old Alex)

Coach: Rudi Wortmann

Asst Coach: Alison McNeill

Manager: Sarah Canning

Video: Scott McNeill



Women’s Celtic Cup schedule
Friday, June 22: Ireland vs Wales, 5pm
Saturday, June 23: Ireland v Scotland, 11am