Ireland Women have named their Performance and Development squads for the 2022 season.

“It has been an enjoyable couple of years for me coaching the national women’s team," said Head Coach Ed Joyce.

"One of our main aims going forward is to create a slightly deeper pool of players that will help the national team become more competitive on the field, and also feed into the Super Series competition. We need coaching and support services to achieve this, and Cricket Ireland have backed us with the addition of full-time staff – a Physiotherapist, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Team Operations Manager, Assistant Coach, and Performance Analyst.

“We are not finished yet, but gradually we are shaping the pathway to provide for our national needs – and the players are responding. However, the players also know that with increased support and structural improvements comes a greater level of expectation. This, though, I have no doubt they can handle, and am excited to see how far we can take this group as we enter a new phase.

“Below the international layer, we have made a change in the structure and emphasis of what was previously known as the ‘Academy Squad’ for 2022. It has been renamed as the ‘Development Squad’ as part of our shift in focus for our emerging talent, and with a view towards the ICC Under-19s Women’s World Cup in early 2023.

“Glenn Querl will oversee the group as Head Coach, with annual fixtures being organised to provide high-quality competitive experience for the next tier of emerging talent. “Now that the Super Series teams have their own training sessions before and during the season, this has offered us the opportunity to refine the purpose and profile of the Development Squad. The group will now have a slightly more youthful composition with selection targeting specific skill-sets that we need in Irish women’s cricket for the years ahead.

“While the Development Squad may still feature players with senior international experience who were unlucky to miss out on Performance squad selection, we believe the overall change will support our talent pathway twofold – by increasing depth in the Super Series competition in the short-term, and for the national side in the medium-to-long term.

“Amongst the 2022 squad named, there’s a heavy emphasis on spin bowlers especially, but there are also two wicketkeepers and some exciting all-rounders and pace bowling talent selected. Although some of the talent is quite raw, with a solid and structured training programme, these players will make a lot of progress in 2022.”

Women’s Performance Squad 2022

Laura Delany (captain) (Leinster), Eimear Richardson (Northern Districts), Gaby Lewis (YMCA), Celeste Raack (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Leah Paul (Merrion), Mary Waldron (Pembroke), Shauna Kavanagh (Pembroke), Sophie MacMahon (Leinster), Rebecca Stokell (Leinster), Louise Little (Pembroke), Hannah Little (Pembroke), Cara Murray (Waringstown), Georgina Dempsey (Phoenix), Rachel Delaney (Merrion), Jane Maguire (The Hills), Amy Hunter (Malahide/Instonians), Ava Canning (Leinster), Kate McEvoy (YMCA), Sarah Forbes (YMCA).

Women’s Development Squad 2022

Anna Kerrison (Malahide), Zara Craig (Eglinton), Rebecca Gough (Rush), Siúin Woods (YMCA), Freya Sargent (Clontarf), Ella Pasley (Phoenix), Niamh MacNulty (Merrion), Kia McCartney (Coleraine), Aimee Maguire (The Hills), Joanna Loughran (Leinster), Sophie McDonough (Phoenix), Sam Todd (Lurgan), Abbi Harrison (Waringstown), Mollie Devine (Fox Lodge).