Muller looks to maintain progress

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: With Gene Muller gathering his senior panel for a three-day training camp there's another reduced club programme…

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:With Gene Muller gathering his senior panel for a three-day training camp there's another reduced club programme this weekend, with just two Leinster first division ties scheduled.

"I wanted to hold a camp soon after we returned from South Africa while the competition experience is still fresh," said Muller.

"I felt that we progressed on the tour and I want to spend time actively capturing lessons learned while still preparing for upcoming events."

Several of the younger players promoted to the senior squad recently have been omitted this weekend but only, Muller insists, because he wants to free them for the under-18 squad that takes on England at Belfield next week.

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Their form will be monitored by Muller in those games, with places up for grabs in the squad for next month's trip to France.

"I intend to leave out some experienced players for these matches (against France) as I still need to see some more younger and untried players in competition.

"I am really cognisant of the fact that we need to progress a group of players technically and tactically to have a chance in either the Europeans or the Olympic qualifier in 2008."

"This means exposing more players and increasing their on the pitch time. This takes precedence over the goal of achieving wins in build-up matches.

"As we enter a qualifying event like the Europeans and the qualifier, I want to be confident in the players that are selected."

IRISH SENIOR PANEL:E Stewart, R Mulligan, H Bowe (all Armagh), B McKeever (Ballymoney), C Parkhill (Bowdon Hightown), K Daly (Catholic Institute), C O'Brien, E Harte (both Chelmsford), H Moffet (Church of Ireland), C Sargent, E Cregan, J O'Halloran (all Cork Harlequins), N Symmons (Eintracht Braunschweig), F Connery, L Caulfield (both Hermes), C McKean, L Healy, N Small (both Loreto), S Frey, J Deacon (both Old Alexandra), A Speers, F McIlwaine, J Orbinson (all Pegasus), M Goode, K McComish (both Pembroke Wanderers), E Smyth, E Lucey (both Railway Union), E Clarke, K Elkin, S McCay, G Watters (all Randalstown), A Connery, A O'Connor, M Crowley (all UCC), L Jacob, R Flinn (both UCD), J McDonough (Belfast Harlequins).

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Tomorrow - Division One:Clontarf v Trinity, Clontarf, 12.30; Three Rock v Corinthian, Grange Road, 3.0. Division Two: Diocesan v Genesis, Rathgar, 12.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Glenanne, Ballsbridge, 12.45; Old Alexandra II v Railway Union II, Milltown, 1.15; Loreto II v UCD II, Beaufort, 4.0; Corinthian II v Hermes II, Whitechurch, 4.30. Sunday - Division Two:Glenanne v Railway Union II, Tallaght, 12.0; Diocesan v Corinthian II, Rathgar, 1.0.

ULSTER LEAGUE - Tomorrow - Section One:Ards v Pegasus, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30; Armagh v Belfast Harlequins, Ardmore, 4.0; Randalstown v Ballymena, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Omagh v Ballymoney, Omagh Leisure Centre, 2.30; Victorians v Knock, Queens, 4.0.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times