Ireland will travel to San Marino next month with promotion firmly in their sights as experienced campaigner Sinead Lohan prepares to make her 27th appearance in the Billie Jean King Cup.
The 31-year-old will lead an Irish team seeking a return to Europe/Africa Group II when the competition takes place at the Centro Tennis Cassa di Risparmio della Repubblica di San Marino from June 17-20.
Lohan brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having already amassed 18 victories for Ireland in the competition. With the tournament format changing this year to allow two nations to earn promotion rather than one, she believes Ireland has a genuine opportunity to progress.
“This year two teams will get promoted instead of one as was the case previously. That gives us a real incentive,” said Lohan.
“We have a great squad and we are ready to compete at a high level. Representing Ireland is an honour and I’m really looking forward to putting on the green and playing with the squad.”
Joining Lohan in the Irish line-up is Aisling O’Connor, a UCD Astra Elite Sport Scholar and National Indoor champion in both singles and doubles, who brings proven strength across both disciplines.
The squad also includes Celine Simunyu, currently in her first year at the University of Arkansas competing for the Razorbacks programme in the United States, adding valuable NCAA experience to the team.
Completing the line-up is Anna Bowtell, a graduate of Rice University, and who is currently working in Corporate Banking with ING in Dublin.
Non-playing captain John McGahon acknowledged the challenge that awaits Ireland but expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to compete for promotion.
“Competition will be fierce, with Estonia’s Elena Malygina among the players to watch and Moldova, who were in contention for promotion in 2025, again expected to be among the sides to beat,” he said.
“But we have a special group of players and we will challenge hard.”
Ireland will face Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Iceland, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro and hosts San Marino in a round-robin competition running from Wednesday to Friday, with playoff matches scheduled for Saturday.
The revised format represents a significant opportunity for Ireland. Previously only one nation secured promotion from Europe Group III, but from this year two teams will advance to Europe/Africa Group II for 2027.
The challenge has also intensified, however, with both Estonia and Kosovo dropping down from Group II last season, adding further strength to an already competitive field.
With a blend of experience, emerging talent and strong collegiate credentials, Ireland will head to San Marino hoping to capitalise on the additional promotion place and take a step back up the Billie Jean King Cup ladder.
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Image Credit: Tennis Ireland
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