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Ireland have announced the Under 15 Girls squad which will take place in the prestigious Malvern Festival next month. The Irish will play three matches in the competition, with Surrey, The Netherlands and Gloucestershire their opponents.
The Irish will play three matches in the competition, with Surrey, The Netherlands and Gloucestershire their opponents.The Irish will play three matches in the competition, with Surrey, The Netherlands and Gloucestershire their opponents.
“The introduction of a national U15’s team, and entry to the Malvern Festival, will give these girls an opportunity to challenge themselves against strong opposition,” said Head Coach Rob O’Connor. “It’s a very exciting time for girl’s cricket at the moment with playing numbers increasing ,and a consequence the standard has improved right across the country.

“I am delighted to see players from different areas of the country selected for the final squad. This is a reflection of the hard work that is being put in by the provincial development officers and coaches.”

Anna Kirk from Clontarf skippers the squad, with Saintfield’s Cara Murray her deputy. Pembroke have four representatives – Hannah and Louise Little, Orla Prendergast and Cliona Tucker. Merrion’s Sadbh Breslin and Emma Paul are also included along with Malahide’s Lara Maritz.

The North West region have three players in the selected squad, with Eglinton’s Zara Craig, Alana Dalzell of Bready and Mollie Devine of Fox Lodge.

O’Connor highlighted the squad’s preparations for the tournament saying: “The players completed an intensive training programme over the winter, which included skills, Strength & Conditioning, video match analysis, and discussion groups with some of the Performance squad. The Malvern Festival will be an excellent opportunity for them to show off their talent, and develop their game even more.”

Ahead of the Malvern tournament, the squad will take part in a two-day training camp at YMCA on the 25th and 26th July where they will play matches against the NCU and NW U17 inter-provincial squads.

IRELAND U15 GIRLS SQUAD
Anna Kirk (Clontarf) (Capt), Cara Murray (Saintfield) (Vice Capt), Sadhbh Breslin (Merrion), Zara Craig (Eglinton), Alana Dalzell (Bready), Mollie Devine (Fox Lodge), Hannah Little (Pembroke), Louise Little (Pembroke), Lara Maritz (Malahide), Emma Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Cliona Tucker (Pembroke).

Coach: Rob O’ Connor, Manager: Rachel Delaney.

Fixtures – all at Malvern

Tue 2nd August: Ireland U15 vs Surrey U15
Wed 3rd August: Ireland U15 vs Netherlands U15
Thu 4th August: Ireland U15 vs Gloucestershire U15


Cara Murray U15G Vice Captain in action
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