New Ireland Head Coach Derek Ward has named eight Marlay players in his first squad of 32 in advance of the 2011 Season.  After 4 weeks of trials, Coach Ward today announced his squad which will be reduced to 18 over the coming weeks to participate at the European Championships to be held in Bulgaria in July.

Speaking after the announcement President Elect Colum Lavery said “It is always a great feeling to be included in an Ireland squad and to be given the opportunity to represent your country.  It is a great moment for our club to have eight players included in this squad and hopefully we can build on the great history of Marlay providing players to the Irish representative team”.

The squad announcement sees some familiar Marlay players returning to the Ireland set-up but also some new faces with Ruth Davy and Marc Ó Fathaigh receiving their first international recognitions.  Speaking of his inclusion in the squad Marc said “ I am so happy, it’s a good feeling”.

The Ireland squad will continue its indoor training as part of its build up to the 2011 European Championships.

Marlay Players Included in 2011 Ireland Squad:

• Ciaran Columb - Represented Ireland at Euro 2008
• Adrian Crowe - Ireland squad member 2007-08, Ireland Assistant Coach 2008-10
• Ruth Davy - First Ireland Squad
• Michelle Hayden - Represented Ireland at Euro 2010
• Colum Lavery - Represented Ireland at Euro 2010
• Bernard Loughran - Member of training panel 2008
• Marc Ó Fathaigh - First Ireland Squad
• Conor Sayles - Represented Ireland at 2010 World Series