Sport

Strong Irish teams have great expectations in Europe

Ireland's side which goes into action in the European Women's Team Championship at Frankfurt this morning is the strongest ever…

Tue Jul 08 2003 - 01:00

Ireland's side which goes into action in the European Women's Team Championship at Frankfurt this morning is the strongest ever, according to captain Mary McKenna and coach David Kearney.

"They are a team of winners," said McKenna. "This year the team has been picked on results, not past records, and that is how it should be."

Only two members of the line-up - Beaverstown's Martina Gillen, the Irish champion, and Claire Coughlan from Cork - have played before in European senior championships, while Tricia Mangan from Ennis has experience of the home internationals.

Possibly the surprise inclusion in the side is Strabane's Helen Jones, who amazingly wins her first cap at the age of 45 following a series of good results. She won the Ulster title this summer and reached the semi-finals of the Irish Championship.

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"I have been knocking on the door for years and now I have finally made it," said Jones. "I am absolutely thrilled - it is just great to be here."

Coach Kearney, who has been in the post for 18 months, shares McKenna's optimism about the class of 2003.

"It is a good side, probably the strongest ever. They are all playing well and we are optimistic about the outcome."

Ireland have won this title twice - at Hermitage in 1979 and four years later over the Royal Waterloo Course in Belgium - but last night in Frankfurt there was a real feeling of expectancy in their ranks.

There is a premium on accuracy on this tight, tree-lined course, but the Irish seem to have taken to it well and in practice they have looked impressive.

The first two days are taken up by strokeplay as the battle is on for places in the top flight of eight. Ireland missed out last time but should have little difficulty this week in making at least the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the European Boys Team championship begins this morning at the Astoria Club in the Czech Republic. Ireland's team consists of Gareth Shaw from Lurgan, Cian McNamara from Limerick, Athenry's Michael Mulryan, Aaron O'Callaghan from Douglas, David Rawluk of The Island and Pat O'Brien of Fota Island.