BY LEE MAGINNIS
WITH gruelling match and training schedules for their clubs and schools, studies and work commitments, on top of travelling to Bray for trials, Northern Ireland has a superb number of young women who have just been named on the Hockey Ireland U18 and U16 Pathway squads. A massive congratulations to every one of them, and also those who have made the regional training panels. Those on the panels could yet get called up to the squads.
Portadown Ladies Hockey Club are flying high in the Ulster Premier League and the Irish selections illustrate why the Mid Ulster club’s young squad is doing so well.
Evie Girvan is the league’s top scorer and she is named in the Irish U18 squad alongside club-mates Rebekah Lennon, Ruby Johnston, Emma McEntee, Emily Adamson and Katie Herron. Evie Thompson, Lara Wilson and Leah Gilbraith made the Regional Training Panel.
The other Northern Irish selections are Scarlett Taylor, Evie Duncan, Caitlin Gribbin, Nieve Caldwell, Anna McRoberts, Erin Pim, Lola Henderson, Anna Wilson and Lucy McCafferty with Stella Wylie and Joni Cunningham making the Regional Training Panel.
Moving on to the Irish U16 squad, Portadown Ladies Hockey Club are again well represented. There is a name familiar to readers of Local Women Sport, Brianna Gregg, who has been featured for multiple sports including hockey, athletics and triathlon.
Indeed, Brianna was the recipient of the Editor’s Choice trophy at the 2023 Local Women Sports awards and it’s great to see her progressing on strongly.
Brianna was selected alongside her club-mates Sophie Tate, Lucy Megaw, Maisy Hannath, Mikayla Elizabeth Stevenson with Grace Adamson making the Regional Training Panel.
The other U16 selections are Leah Callaghan, Maggie Scott, Ellie Costelloe, Holly Givan, Charlotte Betts, Alana Thornton, Ruby Caddoo, Katie Lesley and Katie Dolan.
A really strong showing for Northern Ireland.
