Team Ireland Squads Selected for 2017 World University Games

Yesterday the FAI released the news that Team Ireland head coaches Greg Yelverton and Colin Bell have confirmed their rosters for the upcoming 2017 World University Games to be held in Taiwan from 18th-29th August.

Of the 40 players selected across both squads there are 32 representing either the SSE Airtricity League or Continental Tyres Women’s National League. Coach Yelverton commented “There is a large representation from the SSE Airtricity League with the players in the squad. I’d like to thank the clubs and coaches for working with us to make the players available.”

The Men’s squad will start their campaign against France on Friday 18th August before further group games against Mexico on Monday 21st August and Taipei on Wednesday 23rd August.

The Women’s team take on Mexico on Friday 18th August and Canada on Sunday 20th August.

World University Games (Summer Universiade)

The World University Games are held every two years under the leadership of FISU, the International University Sports Federation. The games are second only behind the Olympics in terms of participant numbers with an estimated 13,000 competitors and officials involved. The 2017 World University Games will comprise of 14 compulsory sports and 8 further optional sports.

Ireland’s 2017 participation is a continuation of their commitment to competing in this event, most recently having taken a team of 64 athletes and 27 officials to the previous games in South Korea in 2015.

Ireland Men’s Squad

Goalkeepers: Ian Molloy (IT Blanchardstown / Firhouse Clover), Joe Coll (GMIT / Glenea United)
Defenders: Ben McAuliffe (UCC / UCC AFC), David Brookes (Athlone IT / Athlone Town), Sean O’Mahony (UCC / Cork City), Gary Kinneen (NUI Galway / Galway United), Ross Taheny (Dublin City University / Ballinamallard United), Sean McLoughlin (UCC / Cork City), Maurice Nugent (NUI Galway / Galway United), Eoghan Dempsey (IT Carlow / Drogheda United)
Midfielders: Conor Barry (NUI Galway / Athlone Town), Daire O’Connor (UCD / UCD AFC), Jamie Hollywood (IT Blanchardstown / Drogheda United), John McKeown (Maynooth University), Shane Daly-Butz (UCC / UCC AFC), Jason McClelland (UCD / UCD AFC), Shane Dunne (IT Carlow / Wexford)
Forwards: Garbhan Coughlan (University of Limerick / Limerick), Jason Lyons (Athlone IT / Athlone Town), Joe Doyle (Dublin IT / Cabinteely)

Ireland Women’s Squad

Goalkeepers: Amanda Budden (Cork IT / Cork City WFC), Eve Badana (UCC / Cork City WFC)
Defenders: Ciara McNamara (UCC / Cork City WFC), Claire Walsh (UCD / UCD Waves), Chloe Mustaki (UCD / UCD Waves), Jetta Berrill (UCD / UCD Waves), Rebekah Carroll (Maynooth University / UCD Waves), Shauna Fox (NUI Galway, Galway WFC)
Midfielders: Ailbhe Clancy (Dublin City University), Aisling Frawley (Dublin City University / Wexford Youths WFC), Clare Kinsella (IT Carlow / Peamount United), Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD / UCD Waves), Katie McCarthy (UCC / Cork City WFC), Lisa Casserly (NUI Galway / Galway WFC), Niamh McLaughlin (Northumbria University), Orlagh Nolan (UCD / UCD Waves)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (Maynooth University / Peamount United), Claire O’Riordan (IT Carlow / Wexford Youths WFC), Eleanor Ryan-Doyle (IT Blanchardstown / Peamount United), Aoibhin Webb (Dublin City University / Wexford Youths WFC)

Men’s fixture schedule

Friday, August 18: Ireland v France, New Taipei City, Xinzhuang Stadium (KO 12:30 Irish Time)
Monday, August 21: Ireland v Mexico, New Taipei City, Xinzhuang Stadium (KO 12:30 Irish Time)
Wednesday, August 23: Taipei v Ireland, Fu Jen Catholic University Stadium (KO 12:30 Irish Time)
Friday, August 25: Quarter-Final / Classification Match, TBC
Sunday, August 27: Semi-Final / Classification Match, TBC
Tuesday, August 29: Final / Classification Match, TBC

Women’s fixture schedule

Friday, August 18: Mexico v Ireland, Hsinchu County Second Stadium (KO 9:00 Irish Time)
Sunday, August 20: Canada v Ireland, Fu Jen Catholic University Stadium (KO 9:00 Irish Time)
Thursday, August 24: Quarter-Final, TBC
Saturday, August 26: Semi-Final / Classification Match, TBC
Monday, August 28: Final / Classification Match, TBC

About the Author

Matt McKay
Glentoran and Northern Ireland fan.