Linda Caulfield has been named the new captain of the Irish women and will captain the team at the Samsung Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Rome.
“Linda will be a great successor to Lynsey McVicker and will have the respect of all the players” Irish Coach Riet Kuper said.
Caulfield was awarded her first cap in 1999 in Belfield against Russia and is the most experienced played in the Irish squad with 115 caps.
“When I captained Loreto Wexford under Kay Gahan it would have only been a dream to go on to Captain Ireland and I am honoured that this has now been realised,” Caulfield said.
The Irish squad are away at a training camp in Spain until today (Wednesday) and return to play two Test matches against Scotland in preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers in Rome in April.
“This is an ideal time to assess the players in matches against Scotland so soon after our training camp in Malaga,” Kuper said.
“We have had four days of intensive training and this is an ideal opportunity for the uncapped players to stake a place in the squad for the World Cup Qualifier.”
Ireland will play Scotland at 16:00 on Saturday, 14 January, and at 12:00 on Sunday, 15 January, with both matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Belfield.
