Irish team is named

THE Irish selectors have named their team for next month's world championships in Scotland, having had their task made somewhat…

THE Irish selectors have named their team for next month's world championships in Scotland, having had their task made somewhat easier by the unavailability of Michael Watt and Elaine Kiely.

Watt, the Irish number one, informed the selectors some time ago that he would not be available for the championships because his wife is due a baby around that time, while Kiely's second year Commerce exams in UCD also clash with the trip to Scotland.

Michael O'Meara regains his place in the team, after being dropped in March for a triangular tournament in Scotland, and is joined in the line-up by his doubles partner Bruce Topping and Donie O'Halloran.

Sonya McGinn, who was forced to withdraw from the national championships with a recurrence of a knee injury, has declared herself fit and is also expected to compete in the individual world championships.

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National champion, Keelin Fox (18) and Ulster's Jayne Plunkett, a surprise inclusion ahead of Leinster's Caroline O'Sullivan, complete the six-player team.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times