HOCKEY:Louisa Moore, a member of the South African Olympic training squad, has switched allegiances to be included in the 26-player panel named by Irish coach Gene Muller yesterday, writes Mary Hannigan.

Moore, an Irish national who is relocating to Dublin in the New Year, had been named in the South African squad to play Ireland in Stellenbosch and Cape Town next month but withdrew this week.

"Louisa is a 23-year-old striker and the national camp will afford her the opportunity to compete for a place on the national team," said Muller, who will take the squad on a 10-day tour of South Africa during which they will also play the Dutch under-21 side twice.

Muller must reduce the panel to 18 for April's Olympic qualifier in Canada.