30 Mar Tennis Ireland announces Fed Cup team
The Irish Ladies team set to travel to the upcoming Fed Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group III event was announced today (March 30th) and has seen Ireland opt for youth over experience as Fed Cup Captain Garry Cahill looks to build for the future after Ireland’s relegation from Group II of the Euro/Africa Zone in 2008.
Following a recommendation from Garry Cahill, and a process of consultation amongst Senior Selectors, involving the consideration of availability and eligibility, which ruled out a number of players the following team has been selected for the forthcoming pool in Malta.
- Rachael Dillon
- Amy Bowtell
- Jenny Claffey
- Lynsey McCullough
Rachael Dillon will make a return to the team after missing out on last years Fed Cup campaign due to Intercollegiate commitements with her college team University of California. With ten appearances under her belt the 21 year-old right hander will be the most experienced Irish player available to Garry Cahill and after contributing to Irelands last Fed Cup promotion in 2007 with victories over Maltese and Moldovan opposition Dillon will be hoping she can repeat this form in 09.
Although the youngest member of the travelling party, this will be Amy Bowtell’s second trip on Fed Cup duty when the 15 year old travelled to Tallinn, Estonia for last years campaign. Although the highly regarded Greystones player will be making her debut at Fed Cup level this year, her experiences from last year will be sure to stand her in good stead during the week.
Newcomers to the Fed Cup environment are Blackrock native Jenny Claffey and Antrim’s Lynsey McCullough. Both players are former members of Tennis Ireland’s National Tennis Academy at DCU and have plently of international experience at junior level. McCullough has also previously represented Ireland during the 2008 Four Nations campaign.
Ireland will be joined by fourteen other nations in Malta where the fifteen nations will be split into two round-robin pools. Two teams will be promoted to the Euro/Africa Zone Group II in 2010.
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