THE INAUGURAL Under 19 Women’s World Cup is just around the corner, with 16 countries set to battle it out in South Africa this month for the chance to be crowned the inaugural champion.

Ahead of the tournament, we here at Rookie Me Central will be previewing all the countries competing at the tournament, looking at their squads, their fixtures and how things might go for them.

In this preview, we are taking a look at Ireland.

At senior level, Ireland are an up and coming nation, so this Under 19 World Cup is the perfect opportunity for the Emerald Isle to make a statement and build a footing to build on for the next few years, even at senior level as these players progress through.

They are also in the perfect group to make a decent impression at the competition.

Making it to the semi finals may be a little bit of a stretch for those in green, but sport is often a funny business, and the Irish may be the ones to cause an upset.

Regardless, they should easily make the Super 6 stage of the tournament, and should realistically finished second in their group to do so. They may not match New Zealand, but should finish ahead of the West Indies and Indonesia.

Regardless, one thing they have at their advantage is that although they do not have as many players with senior international experience as some of the other countries, they have one of the most experienced players at international level in the tournament.

That player is captain Amy Hunter, who at only 17 already has 24 senior international appearances to her name.

She is also the youngest ever centurion in international cricket, after she struck 121 not out on her 16th birthday against Zimbabwe in a one dayer in 2021.

The only other member of the Irish team to have senior international experience is batting allrounder Georgina Dempsey, who has 18 international appearances across both T20s and ODIs. Among the wickets Dempsey has taken at senior level are none other than Australian stars Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath.  

Ireland Squad

Amy Hunter (C), Siúin Wood, Zara Craig, Georgina Dempsey, Rebecca Gough, Abbi Harrison, Jennifer Jackson, Joanna Loughran, Niamh MacNulty, Aimee Maguire, Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Julie McNally, Freya Sargent, Annabel Squires

Ireland Fixture

January 15 – West Indies

January 17 – New Zealand

January 19 – Indonesia