Loreto Wexford pair chosen for Ireland in hockey

TWO OF the brightest young talents in Wexford Hockey Club were selected for the Ireland Under-18 and Under-16 teams respectively.

Seventeen-year-old Eibhlin O’Donoghue was named on the Under-18 panel for the European championships to be held in Poland the following month.

And with Maebh Horan from Crosstown selected on the 18-strong Under-16 squad for a tournament in Scotland, it led to double celebrations among their club colleagues.

The talented duo were also team-mates in Loreto (Wexford), with Eibhlin due to sit her Leaving Certificate in 2006, while Maebh had just completed transition year.

Eibhlin, whose regular position was left midfield or left back, had already represented her country in the Under-16 and Under-18 grades over the previous two years.

‘I am elated to be selected on the Irish team and I’m very confident we can do well in the European championships,’ she said at the time of the squad announcement.

‘We have been training for this tournament for almost two years, and we beat Hermes, who are the best team in Ireland, in a recent challenge. That has given the squad a huge boost.’

Maebh was the only player from the south-east region to gain selection at Under-16 level, with the bulk of the players coming from Dublin and north Leinster.

She had played at interprovincial level in that age group for three years on the trot, as well as featuring in the Under-21 grade for the region despite her relative youth.

‘I am really looking forward to playing for Ireland as it will be my first time,’ said a delighted Maebh, who lined out at centre back.

‘It is all down to my coaches, Kay Gahan and Paul Kinsella. I would really like to thank them for helping me to gain international recognition.

‘I have been training really hard with the Irish team, and I’m hoping I can deliver some good performances in Scotland,’ she added.