Grundie names Ireland squad for World Cup qualifier

Ireland head coach Gareth Grundie has named a settled squad for his side's upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup qualifiers in March.

The Irish women travel to Santiago, Chile with hopes of securing a third-straight appearance at the world's top hockey competition that began with a silver medal campaign in 2018.

Grundie's side scored a first-ever victory over Australia in Hobart on Sunday which was also Ireland's first win in the Hockey Pro League and the head coach keeps faith with the majority of that squad.

In defence, Amy Handock replaces Caitlin Sherrin for what will be her first major international tournament after captaining Ireland at Junior World Cup, while in attack, Emily Kealy is in for the injured Mikayla Power.

Roisin Upton was named player of the match against Australia and is joined in the defensive unit by by Ellen Curran who found the net in Hobart.

Team captain Sarah Hawkshaw, who also scored against the Aussies, is set to lead from midfield once again with Katie Mullan leading the line in attack.

"We are really looking forward to the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, and while we take confidence from two positive FIH Hockey Pro League stages, this will be a different challenge and one where we must control the tempo and impose our game," Grundie said.

"There is absolutely no room for complacency and we must be at our best to achieve our goal of qualifying. Every game will be tough given the size of the prize up for grabs."

Ireland begin their Group B schedule against Malaysia on 2 March (18:15 GMT) before facing Japan the following day (18:45).

The final group game against Canada on 5 March (18:15) is a first meeting between the nations since Ireland's historic penalty shootout win in Dublin in 2019 that secured a first ever Olympic place for the women's squad.

A top-two finish is required to advance to the semi-finals where they will face either a rematch with Australia or meet either Chile, France or Switzerland.

Victory would book their spot in August's World Cup which is to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands, while defeat and winning a third-place playoff would also be enough.

Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Niamh Carey, Ellen Curran, Christina Hamill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Mia Jennings, Katie Larmour, Emily Kealy, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughlin, Jessica McMaster, Holly Micklem, Lisa Mulcahy, Katie Mullan, Elizabeth Murphy, Caoimhe Perdue, Sarah Torrans, Roisin Upton