Matthew Bell into Irish Senior Reckoning

Monday 11th June

The Ireland A squad, under the guidance of U21 Coach Brendon Carolan, has been selected for a two match series against England A. Only 18 will be selected for each game. The 18 for each game will be selected and announced during next week.

Young Bann player Matthew Bell is the biggest benefactor from the decision to include a large selection of the most talented young players in the country.  His outstanding performances for Banbridge last season, coupled with his impressive showing at Irish U-21 sessions in the last few months have seen his elevation to the senior ranks for the first time.  He will be joined by fellow Bann stars Phillip Brown and Bruce McCandless over the weekend.

Senior Coach Paul Revington added This series of games is well-timed in our summer transition phase. We are operating off a large Squad base again, and especially taking into consideration the reintroduction of the U21 program. This coming weekend Squad training will provide another opportunity for these players to fight for a place in the match 16 and combine this with an important window for Team development. The Team is strengthened by the inclusion of John Jermyn and Bruce McCandless who are both unavailable for the Spain Tour due to work commitments but will add their experience and quality to this local series.

The games will be played at the National Hockey Stadium at UCD on Saturday next June 16th at 16.00 and Sunday 17th at 13.00

Game 1 (From)- Sat 16th 16.00
Arneill, Richard (Lisnagarvey)
Bell, Matthew (Banbridge)
Brownlow, Stephen (Glenanne)
Burns, Nick (UCD)
Buser, Daniel (Lisnagarvey)
Crooks, Mark (Cookstown)
Dobson, Ben (UCD)
Doherty, Brian (Beerschot)
English, Peter (Railway Union)
Hobbs, David (Cork Church of Ireland)
Hughes, Ian (Cookstown)
Jermyn, John (Cork Church of Ireland)
Lynch, Karl (Pembroke)
MacDonnell, Peter (Lisnagarvey)
McCandless, Bruce (Banbridge)
Shimmins, Kirk (Pembroke)
Sloan, Stephen (Cookstown)
Smith, Alistair (Bandon)
Smyth, Tim (Cookstown)
Sweetnam, Clinton (Cork Church of Ireland)
West, Stephen (Three Rock Rovers)

Game 2 (From) Sunday 17th 13.00

Arneill, Richard (Lisnagarvey)
Bell, Matthew (Banbridge)
Brown, Phillip (Banbridge)
Brownlow, Stephen (Glenanne)
Burns, Nick (UCD)
Buser, Daniel (Lisnagarvey)
Cole, Stephen (Monkstown)
Crooks, Mark (Cookstown)
Dobson, Ben (UCD)
Doherty, Brian (Beerschot)
Hobbs, David (Cork Church of Ireland)
Hughes, Ian (Cookstown)
Jermyn, John (Cork Church of Ireland)
Lynch, Karl (Pembroke)
MacDonnell, Peter (Lisnagarvey)
McCandless, Bruce (Banbridge)
ODonoghue, Shane (UCD)
Shimmins, Kirk (Pembroke)
Sloan, Stephen (Cookstown)
Smith, Alistair (Bandon)
Smyth, Tim (Cookstown)
Sweetnam, Clinton (Cork Church of Ireland)
West, Stephen (Three Rock Rovers)