The Republic of Ireland U15 Girls have made it two wins out of two in the Bob Docherty Cup following a 2-0 win against Scotland this afternoon. The Girls in Green beat England 2-1 yesterday in the annual North of Ireland tournament and followed up with a fine win this afternoon in Greenisland AFC in Belfast against a Scottish side who had beaten Northern ireland 2-0 in their opening fixture. Abbie Duffy from Pres Athenry is involved with the Irish squad.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH v Scotland - Ava Hallinan (Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone)
Richard Berkeley’s side defeated current holders England in their opening clash yesterday which also doubled up for the annual John Read Trophy. Traditionally it would have been a stand alone fixture, but it’s merged into the tournament in recent years. England were also winners of that silverware following their 2-1 win over the Irish in Athlone last season. The Republic were enjoying much of the possession in the opening stages of the game with Captain Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) missing a handful of goalscoring opportunities early on as well as a delightful effort from Skye Barrett (Maynooth PPS). Ireland’s creativity was rewarded on 21 minutes when Hailey Twomey’s (Eureka Secondary School, Kells) perfectly placed corner was met by the glancing head of Leah O’LEARY CALLENDER to break the deadlock. The Irish side went two up four minutes later when Larkin CC scholar Halle HARCOURT latched onto a wonderful through ball from Ciara Milton to ensure a two goal cushion at the break. England were impressive in the opening exchanges of the second half with some solid defending from the Irish back four as well as keeper Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir) to keep the reigning Champions at bay. England finally grabbed a goal back twenty minutes in as Rachel OWARE slotted past Doyle to make it to within one of the lead. It was a nervous final quarter for Berkeley’s charges as they needed to see the game out. Despite England’s best efforts they couldn’t negotiate an equaliser, and the Republic claimed a vital win.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH v England - Leah O’Leary Callender (Ashton School, Cork) was named our POTM following her solid defensive performance throughout the park as well as her superb opening goal.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Ruby Boland (Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara), Halle Harcourt (Larkin Community College), Leah O’Leary Callender (Ashton School, Cork), Ellen Goggin (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Ava Kelly (Tallaght Community School), Ciara Milton © (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Skye Barrett (Maynooth Post Primary School), Hailey Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells)
SUBS USED | Matylda Stelmaszek (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh) for Harcourt (HT), Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry) for Goggin (59), Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) for Barrett (59), Ruby Norris (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir) for Milton (70). SUBS NOT USED | Laila Hurley (St. MacDara’s Community College, Templeogue), Kyra Gavigan (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow),
MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), Coach Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Coach Paddy McDaid (Finn Valley College, Stranorlar), Coach Mia O’Connell (SETU Carlow), GK Coach Emmet Peyton (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Physio Cianna Hickey, Equipment Manager Joan Croke
