Irish cricket training squad named

The Irish Cricket Union has named a 22-man squad for January's winter training with Trent Johnston at the helm as Ireland look to follow on from their successful campaign this year.

However, John Mooney, Dom Joyce, Kenny Carroll, Jason Molins and Dave Langford-Smith are all notable omissions.
 
Exile Langford-Smith is ruled himself out as he is about to start up a painting and decorating business, and will be forced to miss the first half of the 2008 season. He will however attend  training sessions to maintain fitness levels.
 
While not excluding anyone from future selection, Irish coach Phil Simmons confirmed that the squad which will travel to the UAE and Bangladesh pre-season will be chosen from the 22 named.
 
Simmons has also shown that he isn't afraid to give youth a chance, with no fewer than four of the Ireland Under 19 squad being named, namely left armer Gavin McKenna from North Down, 17-year-old prodigy Paul Stirling from Cliftonville, all rounder James Hall from Waringstown, and leg spinner Greg Thompson of Lisburn, who has already won senior caps.
 
Four other players included still have to win a full senior cap, Reinhardt Strydom, Phil Eaglestone, Peter Connell and Andrew Poynter, who all played for Ireland 'A' against Denmark and the MCC.
 
Opening batsman Jeremy Bray returns to the fold after missing much of the end of the 2007 season. The prolific left hander opted for a rest following Ireland's World Cup exploits, and wasn't recalled to the side as a number of openers were tried, albeit with little success.
 
Ireland winter training squad: Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Andre Botha (North County),  Jeremy Bray (The Hills), Peter Connell (North Down), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane) , Thinus Fourie (Merrion), James Hall (Waringstown), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Kyle McCallan (Waringstown), Gavin McKenna (North Down), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Kevin O' Brien (Railway Union), Niall O' Brien (Northants), William Porterfield (Gloucestershire), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Paul Stirling (Cliftonville), Reinhardt Strydom (North County), Greg Thompson (Lisburn), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey)