HOME INTERNATIONAL: Ireland squad announced

July 12, 2016 editor

Joint team managers Gary Colby and Steve Copping have announced the Ireland squad that will take on England, Wales and Scotland in the Home International at Hull on Saturday.

Steve Copping takes us through the teams:

Senior

Adam Stephenson(Hull)

“Adam has been retired from the sport for a couple of seasons but will be making a one-off return today.”

Charlie Rumbold (Ipswich)

“Current British Under 19 Champion and British Senior No.2, Charlie first rode for Ireland in the 2011 Junior Home International at Wednesfield”

Daniel Butler (Hethersett)

“Daniel is back in the Ireland fold having missed last year’s Home International. Daniel returned to the sport in 2014 following a 5 year absence as a result of a quad bike accident which nearly cost him his life.”

Scott McDowell (Gt Blakenham)

“Providing he recovers from a hand injury in time, Scott will return to the Ireland fold for the first time since 2010”

Junior

Ciaran Collins (Astley)

“Ciaran made his Ireland debut in last year’s Junior Home International at Ipswich, before going on to race in the Senior event as well.

“He was also reserve in Ireland’s World Pairs team at Exeter. At the time of writing these notes he has had a spell in hospital with an illness, but will hopefully have recovered to race on Saturday.”

Ciaran Wenn (Norwich)

“Ciaran started racing in 2012 and also made his Ireland debut in last year’s Junior Home International, following that up by racing in the Celtic Cup as well.”

Katie Adams (Hethersett)

“Katie followed in the footsteps of her brother Phil by making her Ireland debut in the 2014 Celtic Cup at Newport, following that up with appearances in last year’s Junior Home International & Celtic Cup at Ipswich.”

Brandon Campbell (Horspath)

“Son of former rider Aaron Campbell, Brandon is scheduled to be making his Ireland debut on Saturday.”

Veterans

Gary Colby(Norwich)

“Gary must surely be one of the longest serving international team managers having been Ireland team manager since 2004, but since 2012, I’ve has been working alongside Gary, initially as assistant team manager in 2012 and 2013 but jointly since 2014.”

Phil Hemming

“Phil initially retired from International racing after the 2014 Home International at Newport, but makes a welcome return for this inaugural Veterans Home International.”

Phil Widdas (Birmingham)

“Phil is scheduled to return to the Ireland team for the first time since 2009.”

Paddy Wenn (Norwich)

“As a result of his son Ciaran starting Cycle Speedway in 2012, Paddy returned to the sport after a 21 year absence and will be making his International debut on Saturday.”