Masters Home Nations tournament set for Pembroke

Lots of Pembroke players to cheer on in green this weekend with the Home Nations tournament taking place in UCD, Railway and Pembroke. Annie Lawlor will captain the O45’s while Clara Chamberlayne lines out (yes in green!) for the O40’s as vice-captain.

Pembroke will also be represented by Kerry Johnson, Sinead Guilfoyle, Aisling Schutte, Alison Pigot and Orla Bell. Fantastic achievement girls and best of luck this weekend representing your country.

Volunteers

We are looking for some volunteers to help out over the weekend at the various venues – helping to make sure that people know where things are, making sure the TDs have everything they need, helping with car parking in Railway etc. If any of you would like to be involved please let me know when you would be available and if you have a preference for venue.

If you don’t want to volunteer or can’t we’d still love to see you at the side of the pitch over the weekend – it’s amazing how the Masters hockey has grown since we went to Swansea with a squad of 13 just 4 years ago – and you have all helped us to get to where we are today! So, if you do get a chance, call down and say hello.

Tournament preview

Four years after Ireland first participated in the women’s masters home nations in Swansea, with one Over 40s squad of 13, they host the tournament, fielding teams at O40s, O45s and O50s level. The tournament will take place in UCD / Railway /Pembroke on 14th – 16th June.

The O40s and O45s tournament will take place in Pembroke. Ireland’s first match there is Ireland O40s v Wales O40s at 3.30pm on Friday afternoon. The Ireland O45s play Wales O45s at 6.30pm. On the Saturday both teams face Scotland: the O40s at 10.00am and the O45s at 1.30pm. Both teams play England on Sunday – the O40s at 11.00am and the O45s at 2pm.

The O50s/O55s tournament takes place at UCD on the Friday afternoon with Ireland O50s playing Wales O50s at 3.30pm. The Saturday and Sunday matches take place in Railway with the Ireland O50s playing England O50s at 10.30am and then Scotland O50s at 3.30pm. They face England O55s at 1pm on Sunday.

The Ireland O40s are captained by Gillian Garrett, an Old Alex player, who has recently been plying her trade as an umpire but returns to the pitch to lead the Irish O40s in the Home Nations. Ex international Tara Browne is one of the two goalkeepers, with ex international forward Richelle Flanagan also on the squad. Ards defender Lynn Mills brings current playing experience to the team having recently played in both the Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League semi-finals. All 4 Provinces are represented on the team, with Ben Epstein as coach.

The Ireland O45s field an experienced Masters team, many having played at O40s level. Ex international Alison Thompson (Vance) is one of the goalkeepers and ex international Joanne O’Grady brings guile to the midfield. Linda Jenkinson and Tracey Skoyles make for a sound defensive unit while Annie Lawlor (Captain), Joan Dobson (Vice Captain), and Roly Burke bring senior club experience to the midfield. Julie Doak and Kathy Shaw (Johnson) provide a forward threat. Ross Canning coaches the O45s.

At O50s level ex international Maggie Hunter (Browne) joins the squad, commanding the midfield, along with ex international Orla Bell. The O50s have ex international forwards Carolyn Burns (Shankey) and Cathy Walsh, as well as ex international defender Orla Galvin, who along with captain Helen Johnston, provides an experienced defence. Sue Vincent, Dee Wallace and Angie Boran bring pace to the side. Leinster make up the bulk of the squad which is coached by Stuart Malcolm.

Food will be provided at Railway and Pembroke throughout both Saturday and Sunday, with all support welcome.

Ireland O40s: Tara Browne (GK, Galway), Joanne Robinson (GK, Grosvenor), Emma Glanville (Galway), Shelly Lyons (Pegasus), Lynn Mills (Ards), Kerry Johnson (Pembroke), Noreen Dockery (Old Alex), Clodagh McMoreland (Yeats County), Noreen Daly-Gillis (Cork Wanderers), Julie Bell (Belfast Harlequins), Nichola Thompson (Lurgan Ladies), Clara Chamberlayne (VC, Pembroke), Gillian Garrett (C, Old Alex), Alison Gillan (Holywood), Hazel Agar (Old Alex), Caroline Sharkey (Loreto), Ashling Schutte (Pembroke), Richelle Flanagan (Old Alex). Coach: Ben Epstein, Assistant Coach: Deirdre McDermott; Manager: Ailish Langan

Ireland O45s: Sinead Guilfoyle (GK, Pembroke), Alison Thompson (GK, Portadown), Linda Jenkinson (Loreto), Judy Judge (Cork COI), Mairead Lyons (Three Rock Ladies/Barnes), Tracey Skoyles (Naas), Joan Dobson (Cork COI), Jane Salter (Glenanne), Annie Lawlor Capt (Pembroke), Roly Burke (Hermes), Jean Erskine (Newcastle), Julie Fisher (North Down), Julie Doak (Knock), Kathy Shaw (Kilorglin), Alison Pigot (Pembroke), Jacqui Freyne (Clonmel), Claire Bell (Belfast Harlequins), Joanne O’Grady (Suttonians). Coach: Ross Canning; Manager: Nikkey Cullen.

Ireland O50s: Helen Roche (GK, Railway), Orla Galvin (VC, Old Alex), Helen Johnston (C, Railway), Maura O’Neill (Three Rock Ladies), Bronwyn O’Donnell (Loreto), Dee Mooney (Loreto), Maggie Hunter (Lisnagarvey), Dymphna Hill (Cork COI), Pat Stewart (Grosvenor), Orla Bell (Pembroke), Angie Boran (Botanic), Maureen Flavin (Hermes), Siobhan Forde (Galway), Carolyn Burns (Rainey), Cathy Walsh (Cork COI), Dee Wallace (Ballyclare), Sue Vincent (Loreto), Ann Kirwan (Genesis). Coach: Stu Malcolm; Manager: Julie Wilson.