THE expected return of Wildcat star Jillian Hayes to the Iris national women's squad was confirmed this week. Coach Gerry Fitzpatrick makes a total of five alterations to last year's European Championship squad for the up coming Four Countries Championship tournament in Middlesex from May 17th-19th.

Hayes, already a seasoned international with 28 caps, went into a very premature retirement last year after deciding that she could not play under the previous management. However, the appointment of her own Wildcats club coach to take over the national squad cleared the way for her return.

She is one of three players from the league championship winning squad to be chosen, as both Trish Nolan and Geraldine O'Flynn are also in the 10 woman panel. The cup winners Meteors supply two players, Karen Staunton and team captain Karen Hennessy, while there are also two from Naomh Mhuire, Anne Marie Kyne and June Blount.

The consistently good form of Tolka's Rachel Kelly has been rewarded, while two former Tolka players, Suzanne Maguire and Eimeir Howard, both now on scholarship at Fordham University in America, complete the squad.

While there are no new caps, there is still a very fresh and youthful feel to the team, with the average age being under 24. While the team will be without the height of the unavailable Meteors centre Orla Callen, nine of the 10 players are over 5 foot 9 inches.

The loss of another Meteors player, Angie McNally due to other commitments is quite a blow to Fitzpatrick, as the dual basketball and soccer international is the quickest and most penetrative guard in the league. The guard position for the Four Countries will probably alternate between Howard and Flynn, both physically strong and skilful players.

Off guards June Blount and Karen Staunton are three point shooting specialists, while under the boards the rebounding of Hayes and Maguire will be critical as they will be up against taller players, especially against England.