IRELAND WOMEN SEVENS have unveiled their 12-strong squad that will bid for Olympic qualification over the upcoming two weekends.

Mulhall in action for Wicklow in 2011. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Director Anthony Eddy has included four players uncapped at this level including captain Lucy Mulhall, who won a junior All-Ireland football title with Wicklow in 2011.

Mulhall in action for Rathdrum RFC against Old Belvedere this season. Noel McMullen / Catch Media Noel McMullen / Catch Media / Catch Media

All four new faces on the scene have GAA pedigree. Louise Galvin and Stacey Flood represented Kerry and Dublin respectively in 2014 while Eimear Considine has represented Clare in both football and camogie.

There will be plenty of experience alongside that quartet when Ireland tog out to take on a pool of Spain, France and Ukraine (from 9.28 Irish time) in Kazan on Saturday: Jenny Murphy, Alison Miller, Claire Molloy and Katie Fitzhenry are among those who have represented Ireland’s champion 15-a-side squad.

Alison Miller and Jenny Murphy celebrate during this year's Six Nations. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

“We have the first test of two this weekend and we have no doubt we will face some tough competition,” says Eddy.

“This is what we have trained for all year and look forward to getting out there and playing.”

As Ireland do not compete in the World Series, this weekend’s European Olympic qualification leg one represents a massive opportunity to stake their claim for a place at Rio 2016.

Claire Molloy during Ireland's World Cup semi-final last year.

The second leg of qualification will be run off in France next weekend (20-21 June) with the overall winner taking one of six regional qualifier places worldwide in the Olympic Games.

There are longer routes to Rio if Eddy’s squad fall short over coming 11 days: a runner-up place in this European qualification will result in a place in the World Repechage which holds the final Olympic place for the winner.

That tournament may also be reached with a top three finish at the European Repechage tournament in Lisbon next month.

Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad (Round 1, European Olympic Qualifiers – Kazan, Russia, 13 – 14 June)

Claire Keohane (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
Lucy Mulhall (TID)* Capt
Stacey Flood (Railway Union/ Leinster)*
Shannon Houston (Blackrock/ Leinster)
Megan Williams (St. Mary’s/ Leinster)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (St Mary’s/ Leinster)
Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/ Leinster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol/ Connacht)
Eimear Considine (TID) *
Louise Galvin (UL Bohemian/ Munster)*
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/ Connacht)

Fixtures

Saturday, 13 June  
11.28 (9.28 Irish Time) Spain
13.22 (11.22 Irish Time) France
16.22 (14.22 Irish Time) Ukraine

Sunday, 14 June  

Play-offs

Originally published at 15.30

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