Ireland: Conway fall-out fails to dampen spirits
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| Ireland |
August 28, 2003
The Belfast Telegraph
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28 August 2003
GRAEME Francey today threw new light on the controversial defection of Trish Conway from Ireland's European Nations' Cup squad before the team headed for Barcelona.
The Old Alex striker 'went public' over her decision to quit the panel saying that coach Riet Kuper 'didn't give her the time of day.'
She claimed she wasn't given enough pitch-time to prove herself and her fitness but the Dutchwoman's assistant was shocked at her decision to quit at the 11th hour, leading to a call-up for Loreto's Nikki Symmons.
"A short time beforehand the girls were told that two of them would be sitting in the stands as you can only name a squad of 16 for each game," assistant coach Francey revealed.
"They were asked did they accept the situation and there were no dissenting voices, so Trish's decision came as a bolt from the blue."
"But I have to say that despite reports to the contrary it's a very happy squad that we are taking to Barcelona."
Ireland are aiming for a slot in the fifth to eighth place play-offs and start their campaign next week with a vitally important double-header.
Monday's opener with Wales is followed by an equally crucial match against Italy two days later.
"It's not often you get two 'must-win' or at least 'musn't lose' games so early on in a tournament," added the Ulsterman.
"But those are matches we'll be aiming to take points from before we meet Germany, Ukraine and England."
"If we get the right results in the two opening games then the match with Ukraine will become pivotal in our ambitions to get into the top six or eight."
"The build-up has gone really well and the girls are in great spirits, so we are looking forward to it."
IRELAND: N. King (Old Alex), A. Platt (Ballymoney), F. Connery (Hermes), L. Caulfield (Hermes), E. Cregan (Univ Limerick), S. Beaney (Belfast Harlequins), R. Kohler (Cork Harlequins) (capt), B. McKeever (Ballymoney), K. Bateman (Cork Harlequins), J. McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), C. McKean (Loreto), L. McVicker (Ballymoney) (v-capt), C. O'Brien (UCD), J. Orbinson (Portadown), N. Symmons (Loreto), D. Sixsmith (Hermes), K. Maybin (Pegasus), J. Burke (Hermes).
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