Local quartet on Connacht hockey squad for interpro games
Four local hockey players have been selected on the Connacht U-23 squad for the interprovincial matches this weekend.
Athlone Hockey Club duo Áine Gallagher and Megan Clinton have been called up to the Connacht squad, alongside Allie and Robyn Heatherington from Glasson.
The Heatherington twin sisters play for Old Alexandra in Dublin, the oldest hockey club in Ireland. In addition, Robyn has been named vice-captain of the Connacht squad.
Connacht will face Munster on Saturday in Limerick and Athlone will play host to the Connacht v Leinster clash on Sunday at the Regional Sports Centre, with push-back for both games at 3pm.
The hockey pitch at Athlone RSC is one of only a handful of FIH (International Hockey Federation) accredited pitches outside of the Dublin area.
Connacht Hockey is campaigning for additional facilities for the sport, and it was highlighted last year that there is only one pitch dedicated to hockey in Galway. All those involved in the sport are hoping for a boost from the success of the Ireland women's hockey team in qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.
Jennifer Hyde, manager of the Connacht U23 hockey squad, said it's "a huge personal achievement" for the players to be selected and a credit to their clubs.
"They have been training throughout the summer months in preparation for the upcoming matches this weekend which are also being used as Irish hockey squad selection matches," said Jennifer, who is also a player and coach with Athlone Hockey Club.
All four local players on the Connacht squad have shown prowess in different sports. Megan Clinton is a talented Gaelic footballer with Caulry and she and was part of the Moate Community School team which reached the 2020 LGFA All-Ireland Schools final (the final was never played due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic).
Allie and Robyn Heatherington were part of the Athlone Town women's squad which played in the Women's National League last season.
Robyn and Allie attended Athlone Community College, while Áine Gallagher studied at Our Lady's Bower and played football for the Athlone school.